Richmond

Virginia’s general fund revenues exceeded expectations in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, fueled by steady job growth and resilient consumer spending, state officials said Tuesday. Revenues increased 5.1% from June through September compared with the same period last year, while September collections alone rose 2.7% year-over-year. Both income tax withholding and sales tax receipts were higher than forecast, contributing to a year-to-date gain nearly 8% above projections, according to the Department of Finance.

Voters across Virginia will get their only chance to see the two major candidates for governor share a stage this week when Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears meet for a live, televised debate on Wednesday, October 9, at Norfolk State University. The hour-long debate, hosted by WAVY-TV 10 in partnership with WRIC-TV 8 and other Nexstar Media Group stations, is expected to reach more than four million viewers statewide. Moderators Tom Schaad of WAVY and Deanna Allbrittin of WRIC will lead the discussion, focusing on issues facing Virginia families, education, the economy, and public safety.

Empowering voters. Defending democracy. Chartered in 1948, the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area encourages informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy.

Unlike a lot of politicians during COVID19, Babur was focused on kids. He didn’t give in to hysteria or use the public schools as a political tool. (As I will explain later, the state of K-12 education in Virginia is our most important issue). He also handled the first collective bargaining for PWC schools. So he’s ready for big boy politics. Happy to endorse Babur for statewide office.

In late November, I sat in Arlington County Courthouse's courtroom 10A and witnessed a scene that left me deeply unsettled as a veteran defense attorney. A young prosecutor, Abhimanyu Mehta—whose name fittingly translates to "warrior" in the mythological Mahābhārata story about war—stood before Judge Daniel S.  Fiore advocating for the dismissal of charges against a young black man, 31, whom I’ll refer to pseudonymously as Ross Lamas. Charged in late 2022 with one count of felony intent to distribute drugs and four counts of illegal possession of a firearm, Mr. Lamas’ case had been delayed multiple times over two years. Lamas sat quietly with his public defender, Brad Haywood, waiting for what should have been a routine resolution.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has concluded his actions on the 916 bills sent to him during the 2025 General Assembly session, a process marked by both cooperation and conflict. He signed 599 bills into law, amended 159, and vetoed 157, also returning the budget with numerous amendments and item vetoes.