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. Federal Spending Pause Order Rescinded 2. Loudoun Supervisors Urged to Oppose Fairfax County Casino Bill 3. Spotsylvania considers data center regulations 4. Fairfax Co. casino bill advances to full Senate for first time 5. A push to expand real estate disclosures on flood risk fails in Virginia again BONUS ARTICLE: Loudoun Supervisors endorse two routes for Dominion transmission line
By Washington Report
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced on Wednesday, January 29 that it is rescinding the January 27 memorandum directing federal agencies to pause certain grants and loans linked to the President’s executive orders, including funding for foreign aid, DEI initiatives, and climate programs. While the directive excluded federal benefits like Medicare, Social Security, and loans to individuals; it caused confusion within housing and lending industries about which programs were exempt. Subsequent guidance clarified that rental assistance, small business loans, FHA loans, and Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRAs) were not affected.
By HANNA PAMPALONI, Loudoun Now
A coalition of Loudoun residents concerned about a bill passing through the General Assembly that would add Fairfax County to the list of counties eligible to house a casino last week pushed the Board of Supervisors to oppose it. County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) said the board would not take a position on the legislation.
By SCOTT SHENK, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)
While Spotsylvania County has already approved various data center developments, with work starting on some, staff and the Board of Supervisors are still trying to hammer out regulations on the exploding industry. With more data center development expected in Spotsylvania, the board spent much of Tuesday’s regular meeting considering options and implications on regulations and zoning ordinances. The board eventually voted 4-3 to approve a zoning ordinance change requiring special-use permits for data centers in commercial, agricultural and industrial districts.
By ANGELA WOOLSEY, FFXnow
The push to allow a casino in Fairfax County has officially entered new territory. After tabling similar legislation proposed by state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35) last year, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted 9-6 this morning (Tuesday) to report Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell’s (D-34) bill to add the county to Virginia’s list of eligible casino hosts to the full chamber. The Senate is expected to hear S.B. 982 and vote on its passage this Friday (Jan. 31), Surovell’s office says.
By KATHERINE HAFNER, WHRO
Environmental and local government advocates – largely rooted in Hampton Roads – have pushed Virginia’s General Assembly for more than a decade to expand the state’s real estate disclosure law to protect homebuyers from the growing risks of flooding. Last week, the latest attempt failed. A legislative subcommittee on housing and consumer protection tabled a bill that proposed sellers disclose whether a property is located in a high-risk federal flood zone after the association representing Virginia real estate agents withheld support.
Bonus Article:
By BETHANY RAJA, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors last week endorsed two preferred routes for a proposed overhead transmission line project that would connect Dominion Energy’s Golden and Mars substations in the Ashburn area. Dominion is expected to file an application for the project with the State Corporation Commission, which regulates utilities and other businesses, in February or March. Dominion has published five possible options for overhead routes.