The First To Blink
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die back in June of this year when the work of the legislature was complete with one notable exception: a mid-point revision of the biennium budget on which the House, Senate, and Governor could not agree had gone to a conference committee that could not agree on its final form.
Reinventing American Democracy
The 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States is fast approaching. We can celebrate being the oldest constitutional democracy in the world. Our form of government, however, is under undue stresses that cause many to worry as to whether we can show the same resiliency of the past going forward in the next century.
Successful County Crisis Intervention Program to Expand
The County’s Co-Responders Program has successfully redesigned how we best serve our residents experiencing a mental health crisis, while best equipping staff to assist those in need.
Achieving Fair Pay and Dignity for Workers with Disabilities
Until July 1, 2023, many workers with disabilities across the Commonwealth would wake up in the morning and head to work, only to receive lower pay than their coworkers and counterparts in the community, despite performing the same job. This reality was due to the subminimum wage law provision 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), colloquially known as 14(c).
Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricanes
Politicizing Education
As a former teacher/education program administrator for 30 years I am aware of the many wonderful, effective, and dedicated teachers there are, including two of my children and one of my grandchildren and his wife. The current effort to politicize education for personal gain saddens me.
Inalienable Rights
Virginian Thomas Jefferson was a young man when he penned the words expressed among political philosophers of the time that there were natural rights “endowed by their creator” that all persons possess. His phrase in the Declaration of Independence that preceded that assertion, “all men are created equal,” gained the most notice and debate even until today.
Retiring But Not Quitting
The most common question I get these days is “how does it feel to be retired?”
NVMS Conflict Resolution Center
We in the Mount Vernon area are incredibly lucky to have so many excellent local nonprofits dedicated to improving lives in our community. Today, I will highlight the work of the Northern Virginia Mediation Services (NVMS) Conflict Resolution Center, an organization for which I recently joined the Advisory Council.
Obligation of Citizenship: To Be Informed
Commentary
More on Herndon Historic District
Letters to the Editor
Annie Harper, The Hidden Gem of Gum Springs
Last Saturday morning, the public witnessed a rare and wonderful event taking place on Fordson Road, the unveiling of the Annie E. Harper Virginia historical highway marker in Gum Springs.
Honest Funding of Our Schools
Commentary