Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of public policy issues and headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth, and Capitol Hill.
by Danielle Finley, Associate Director of Political Engagement
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines. In this Issue: 1. Metro plans to implement credit card tap-to-ride system by 2025 2. Fairfax supervisors press Gov. Youngkin for additional state funding for key public services 3. U.S. senators, Richmond housing expert discuss how to ease nation’s affordable housing crisis 4. Building accessory dwellings could become easier in Falls Church 5. In Virginia, electric vehicle infrastructure development is underway. Incentives could spur growth. Bonus: National Flood Insurance Update, New poll shows Trump and Harris in dead heat in Virginia, 10th District candidates Clancy, Subramanyam square off at Loudoun County debate.
Metro riders may be able to tap their credit card instead of their SmarTrip by 2025. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said Thursday he wants to put a fare system in place next year that would allow riders to tap credit cards or credit card-linked phones to ride instead of needing to use SmarTrip.
Fairfax County leaders want Gov. Glenn Youngkin to boost state funding for critical services, such as schools, transportation and health care. The Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 on Tuesday (Sept. 24) to send a letter to Youngkin arguing that chronic underfunding by the state has forced localities like Fairfax County to lean heavily on local tax revenue to maintain “core services” like public education, public safety and transportation infrastructure, straining local budgets and taxpayers. Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, the only Republican on the board, was the lone dissenting vote against sending the letter.
By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Virginia Mercury
Conversations about things like zoning laws, permits, or use of housing subsidies typically happen in city or county government chambers rather than those of the U.S. Senate. But people in localities across the nation, including Virginia, are experiencing the persistent challenges of finding and affording a place to live. So, the Senate’s budget committee had a hearing Wednesday to listen to a cohort of various housing experts about ways the federal government can help. “As housing costs outpace wages, today more than 10 million Americans spend over half of their income on housing — leaving little for essentials like food, healthcare and education,” said Greta Harris, president and CEO of the Richmond-based Better Housing Coalition, who was a guest speaker at the hearing.
By KATIE TARANTO, ARL NOW
Falls Church is eyeing possible changes to make it easier to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The city, which has not granted an ADU permit since 2000, has released a draft framework for potential amendments to its zoning ordinance. Scheduled for a City Council vote in February, proposed changes would make it possible to build detached ADUs within city limits and would set dimensional standards for floor area, height and setbacks.
By CHARLIE PAULLIN AND NATHANIEL CLINE, Virginia Mercury
Searching for a new vehicle can be challenging, but not as complex as it is to develop the infrastructure needed to power electric and low-emission vehicles at rest stops, gas stations, homes, workplaces and public areas in Virginia. To build its EV infrastructure, the state leaned on the federal government’s nationwide plan to install charging stations across major corridors around the country. In Virginia, those areas are found along Interstates 81, 295 and 495, to name a few.
By AUSTIN PEREZ, Washington Report NAR
On September 25, 2024, Congress extended the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) authority to provide flood insurance through December 20, 2024.
By KERRY PICKET, Washington Times
A new poll of Virginia voters shows Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are in a dead heat as early voting starts in the commonwealth. According to a statewide survey released Friday from the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Ms. Harris has the support of 47% of 756 likely Virginia voters, compared to 46% favoring Mr. Trump. Four years ago, President Biden won Virginia by a 10-point margin over Mr. Trump.
By JONATHAN HUNLEY, Inside NOVA
Republican Mike Clancy tried to negatively tie state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam to the Biden-Harris administration in a debate Friday, while the Democrat espoused his bipartisan bona fides. The candidates in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District squared off in a morning gathering at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne hosted by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce.