
Hawkins Steps Down From Alexandria EDP
Landrum named acting CEO.
Val Hawkins, credited with luring the National Science Foundation Headquarters away from its longtime home in Ballston, stepped down effective March 15 as president and CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.
Column: The Top 20: A 2015 Legislative Summary – Part II
Commentary
This is Part II of my column regarding the Top 20 legislative highlights from the 2015 General Assembly session. Last week, I discussed the top 7. Here are the rest.

Surovell Kicks Off Senate Campaign
Mount Vernon residents Lyn Snodgrass, Alan Edelstein and Jim Seeley engaged Del. Scott Surovell (D-44) in a banquet room of The Landing restaurant in Woodbridge.
Congressman Beyer Visits T.C. Williams High School
T.C. Williams High School Student Peter Eckel quietly confided that when he wrote the email to his congressman’s office, it was originally as a joke.

Chamber Hosts Legislative Breakfast
Officials discuss top state, local issues.
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce hosted members of City Council and the Virginia General Assembly at its annual Legislative Breakfast March 10 at the Hotel Monaco.
Hunting Potholes: If residents call, city will fix them.
How To Help: Call Click Connect hotline at 703-746-4357 to report potholes.
As many Alexandrians would likely attest, 2015’s February was the coldest the city has faced since 1979.
Salute to Women Awards
Eleven women will be recognized for their accomplishments in civic life at the Alexandria’s Commission for Women’s 35th Annual Salute to Women Awards.
Column: General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die
Commentary
The 2015 session of the General Assembly has officially adjourned. Bills I introduced that now await Governor McAuliffe's signature include legislation on issues from job placement and hospital patients' rights to tax refunds and ethics reform.

Duncan Visits Alexandria's Patrick Henry Pre-K
Secretary of Education and others express support for Alexandria’s early childhood development.
In a crowded corner of the Patrick Henry Elementary School Library, Duncan heaped praise on Patrick Henry Elementary School’s pre-kindergarten education program while expressing his frustrations at a nationwide lack of similar programs.

Alexandria Budget Winners and Losers
Acting city manager presents budget proposal to City Council
When Acting City Manager Mark Jinks presented Alexandria City Council with the $647.9 million proposed budget, the generally positive reception was tempered with the knowledge that many departments would not be receiving the funding they had requested.

Separate But Equal Amenities for Alexandria
Class-segregated pool at proposed housing complex dampens council enthusiasm for affordable housing project.
A proposal for a mixed-use housing complex in Alexandria swiftly became an argument on classism when the developer revealed the pool would be off-limits to residents of the affordable housing section.

Too Poor for Benefits in Alexandria
New advisory panel tackles lack of healthcare options for Alexandrians.
An estimated 5,000 people living in Alexandria are without access to healthcare. Without any assistance from the state, the struggle for many Alexandrians has potential to grow into a city-wide moral and financial crisis.

GMU Students Rally to Lower Student Debt
Members of GMU Student Power Travel to Richmond to voice concern over rising debt.
Twelve students from George Mason University traveled to Richmond with the Virginia Student Power Network, rallying and calling for debt-free education, and for increased educational opportunities for undocumented students. Rodrigo Velasquez, a junior at Mason from Springfield and GMU Student Power’s organizer, was one of the 12 from Mason who also went to Richmond.
Political Jockeying in Mount Vernon
With Puller’s retirement, the race is on.
Soon after state Sen. Toddy Puller’s retirement announcement, candidates for the vacated seat are already emerging.

Colleagues Praise Mount Vernon's Puller
State senator to retire at end of current session.
Calling State Senator Linda T. “Toddy” Puller’s announcement to retire “bittersweet,” Del. Mark Sickles explained that it is “bitter because her absence will leave a gaping void here in Richmond; sweet because nobody has done more in one life to deserve less hectic years at home with friends and family.”
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