By Rose Chu: As the unemployment rate climbs due to the coronovirus pandemic, it is important to know what options exist for continued healthcare coverage. Here are some insights from my experience as a health policy analyst, and a volunteer…
Category: Social Issues
Death penalty repeal is not just for Democrats
By Paul O’Shea: Abolishing the death penalty is usually thought of as a Democratic and liberal policy, but a Republican and a libertarian serve proudly alongside their progressive colleagues on the board of Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.…
Meet Zainab Mohsini, running for no.Va’s CD 11 seat against Gerry Connolly
Ed. Note: The author is running in the Democratic primary election on June 9 for US representative for Virginia’s 11th Congressional district against incumbent Gerry Connolly. The Blue View is an open platform for all northern Virginia Democratic candidates By:…
It’s business as NOT so usual at FCDC meeting
By Karen Kirk: FCDC’s Chair Bryan Graham noticed a virtual hand up when asking if there were any questions on the proposed 2020-2021 budget. When he called on one member, she answered “No I don’t. The cat walked on the…
Coronavirus hits student life hard in our region
By Olivia Henry: For many of us students, the gravity of the coronavirus situation has only just begun to sink in. Once school was canceled this past Friday, Mar. 13, many students assumed the worst was over. Little were they…
Immigrants Help Power Fairfax Economy
By Bob Leggett: Immigrants in northern Virginia now account for over 27% of the population and contribute almost $60 billion to the local economy, according to a new government report. The report finds that immigrants in our region are well…
Listening to and learning from the coronavirus
Ed. Note: We encourage readers to share their insights and experiences as we journey together through the current historic coronavirus outbreak. By Mala Rajamani: The current coronavirus strain, as it snakes across the world, is shutting down travel, commerce, schools,…
Alcorn searching for ways to ease affordable housing deficit
By Bob Leggett: Walter Alcorn, along with some other Fairfax County supervisors, is looking at relaxing restrictions on single-family residences as a way to help ease the county’s affordable housing deficit. “We are considering whether homeowners in areas zoned single…
As cases of coronavirus grow, FCDC takes steps to keep members safe
With cases of the coronavirus spreading across the country and the World Health Organization labeling it a pandemic, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee is looking at ways to keep members safe. Chair Bryan Graham sent this email to members Mar.…
Death penalty is barbaric and ineffective, says movement leader
By Paul O’Shea: A leading figure in the Virginia anti-death penalty movement called for the abolition of “this barbaric remnant of previous centuries” in a talk recently at Little River United Church of Christ in Annandale. Dale Brumfield, field director…
VA Sen. Surovell defends vote against assault weapon ban
By Susan Laume: Those following Virginia’s gun violence prevention measures were surprised when State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36th) joined three other Democrats, Sens. “Chap” Petersen (D-34th), John Edwards (D-21st) and Creigh Deeds (D-25th), in a committee vote against advancing an…
Don’t ignore child poverty – including here in northern VA
By Suzanne Le Menestrel: You may be shocked to learn that in Northern Virginia, one of the nation’s most prosperous areas, 1 in 5 children are economically disadvantaged, and in the state as a whole, one-third. These numbers – from…
ERA: A fight to the finish
Editor’s Note: A statements of support for the Equal Rights Amendment from the Herndon-Reston Indivisible Women’s Issue Group. On January 27, the new Democratic majority in the Virginia General Assembly passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), officially making Virginia the 38th…
How a death in custody led one white man on a journey to equity in Fairfax County
By Tom Goodwin: Natasha McKenna died five years ago this past weekend, February 8, 2015 — naked, cold, frightened, shackled, muzzled, and black — after a rough afternoon at Fairfax County jail. The social and racial inequities that contributed to her…