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Johnson: How Virginia honors its vets should evolve from recognition to reform
May is National Military Appreciation Month, with events held throughout the country honoring American heroes who sacrificed their lives and health in service of their country. Yet this month should also be about advocating for better policies that improve the lives of veterans and active service members. Currently, despite considerable progress in safety measures, working for the military is a hazardous career path. Veterans experience some of the highest rates of cancers and chronic conditions, while many continue to face obstacles in accessing timely health care and benefits tied to their service-related exposures.
Del. Hope touts experience for 1st District House seat, but challenger says that’s not enough
The familiar political conflict of experience and new blood dominated a debate between Democratic contenders for the 1st District House of Delegates seat. Incumbent Del. Patrick Hope worked to fend off criticisms by challenger Arjoon Srikanth in the Tuesday (May 13) forum, sponsored by the Arlington County Civic Federation. The third contender in the June 17 Democratic primary, Sean Epstein, was unable to attend, federation president John Ford said.
GOP presents plan to seize legislative majorities in Virginia and New Jersey this November
The Republican State Leadership Committee is looking to make key expenditures in this year’s New Jersey and Virginia state legislature races. Republicans are wary of how well Democrats tend to over-perform in off-year elections, but they have a strategy to “defy” expectations in November. In a memo, the RSLC said the races “present significant challenges for Republicans, reminiscent of the complex political landscape of 2017, the last odd-year election Republicans had full control of Washington.”
Advocates say cuts to SNAP would have significant impacts for Virginia families
Families that are in poverty and struggling to make ends meet might be cut off from social welfare benefits if Congress moves forward with a funding proposal now under consideration. Virginia could be facing a shortfall of more than $350 million – that’s if Congress moves forward with a budget proposal to change the funding formula for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. One of the new features is a work requirement that Lily Roberts at the Center for American Progress says is a misnomer.
Arlington County leaders express regret for treatment of displaced Queen City residents
Arlington leaders on Tuesday (May 13) honored the legacy of a once-vibrant community wiped off the map to make way for construction around the Pentagon. Board members also expressed regret at how those residents were treated by county leaders eight decades ago. County Board members used the meeting to celebrate Queen City, which had been established in the early 1890s but in 1942 was acquired through eminent domain by the federal government. The 900-plus residents of the community were displaced, many of them moving to other historically African-American communities in Arlington and across the region.
Amazon picks Goochland for next fulfillment hub
Amazon is building a new state-of-the-art robotics fulfillment center in Goochland County, the company’s fourth in Virginia, creating more than 1,000 jobs and further deepening its footprint in the commonwealth. The 3.1 million-square-foot facility, known as RIC6, will occupy a 107-acre parcel in the Rockville Opportunity Corridor. It joins a growing network of Amazon investments in Virginia that include fulfillment and delivery centers, dozens of data centers, Whole Foods Markets, Amazon Fresh stores, and the company’s second headquarters in Arlington.
Amazon breaks ground on 3 million-square-foot Goochland fulfillment center
Construction of a massive new Amazon facility in Goochland got off to a ceremonial start this week. Officials from the e-commerce giant crowded into the county’s agricultural center Wednesday morning to officially announce plans for (and ceremonially break ground on) the previously reported 3.1 million-square-foot robotics fulfillment center on a 105-acre site at 2022 Ashland Road in the Rockville area.
Norfolk attorneys in turf war over authority to prosecute shoplifting cases
A feud between Norfolk’s city attorney and the city’s top prosecutor over whose office should handle misdemeanor shoplifting cases quickly escalated into a political turf war with both sides claiming chief authority. The Norfolk City Council unanimously approved a code change Tuesday that will let the City Attorney’s Office prosecute misdemeanor shoplifting cases after Mayor Kenny Alexander complained Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi wasn’t bringing charges.
Elections Office Certifies Purcellville Recall Petition Signatures
The Office of Elections has certified signatures in a recall petition submitted last month seeking to remove Purcellville’s mayor, vice mayor and two council members from office. According to court documents, 1,211 signatures were included in the petition to remove Mayor Christopher Bertaut. Of those, 25 were deemed invalid and 1,186 were verified. The number of signatures required for a petition to be certified was 494.
Youngkin calls for transformation of child welfare system
Until she was 18, Katie Jones got to see her mom only once a week, for a one-hour session with her five brothers and sisters, monitored by a social worker. “Every week I used to say ‘when do I get to see my mom,’” she said Thursday at an event where Gov. Glenn Youngkin launched a push to transform the state's foster care system. Those hours were always filled with tears, and they always ended the same way: “I’d have to say ‘Bye mom,’ and go back to my foster family,” said Jones, who grew up in Chesapeake. “I love my mom unconditionally and she loves me unconditionally.”