Alexandria Politics

Alexandria Politics

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Risky Business

City taxpayers are about to assume financial risk for new Metro station.

Alexandria taxpayers are about to gamble on the future, rolling the dice on development at a former railroad yard to fund a new Metro station. City officials are expecting Potomac Yard to generate $1 billion worth of revenue in the next three decades, an expansion of the tax base that would help fund construction of a Metro station that could open its doors as early as 2018. But that plan comes with significant risk.

War on the Waterfront

Iron Ladies file another lawsuit challenging city's efforts to upzone three sites.

When the dispute between Old Town and City Hall was at its height last year, 20th Century Fox movie "Iron Lady" was in the theaters celebrating the life of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. So when Old Town residents April Burke, Beth Gibney and Marie Kux filed a lawsuit against the city, the trio was dubbed the "Iron Ladies" — a tip of the hat to the steely determination of the former prime minister.

Editorial: More Obstacles to Transparency

General Assembly puts more information out of public reach, but other factors also limit access.

The first paragraph of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, passed by the General Assembly in 1968, states that all public records "shall be presumed open." It doesn’t add, “except when we don’t want to,” although that provision does seem to be available in many cases. Individual government entities have a variety of ways of making it hard for the public to access public information.

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Governor Approves Conditional Budget for Medicaid Expansion

Vote-swapping operation traded transportation votes for Medicaid money.

Half a million uninsured Virginians may be eligible for Medicaid under an agreement now being worked out in Richmond — a deal in which Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell agreed to include Medicaid expansion as part of the budget if Senate Democrats supported a transportation package.

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Parents Rally to Save FACE as Alexandria School Board Considers Budget Cuts

Board members must close a $3 million gap before sending budget to City Hall.

Dozens of parents appeared before members of the Alexandria School Board last week with a simple plea — save FACE.

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Cloud Hangs Over Troubled Alexandria School As Governor Considers Takeover

Future of Jefferson-Houston is in doubt, even as state and local leaders strike new agreement.

Even as central administrators in Alexandria have finally entered into a memorandum of understanding with state leaders to turn around a troubled school, Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is considering legislation that would seize control from local leaders.

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How Much Money Does Your School Administrator Make?

Alexandria school system has some of the highest paid administrators in the region.

The administrator in the corner office at your local school is sitting pretty with a six-figure paycheck.

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Alexandria City Council Rezones Waterfront Despite Massive Opposition

Six-to-one vote opens the door to higher density and overturns longstanding ban on hotels.

Members of the Alexandria City Council cast what may become one of the most important votes in their career last weekend, approving a controversial zoning change that would triple density at three sites slated for redevelopment compared to what’s there now.

Alexandria Elementary School Administrator Salries

Annual salaries of elementary school administrators.

Alexandria Middle School Administrator Salaries

Salaries of middle school administrators.

Alexandria High School Administrator Salaries

Salaries of high school administrators.

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List of Rejected Budget Cuts Reveals Thinking Behind Budget Proposal

Cuts that were cut may become key as budget season moves forward.

Imagine a world without school crossing guards or security screening at the courthouse — a city so strapped for cash it closes one of its fire stations and eliminates life insurance for its retired workers.

Week in Alexandria

What’s the difference between a map amendment and a text amendment?

Council Notebook

Want to know how much city officials are going to charge you for the privilege of living in Alexandria? Check the advertisements.

Party Animals

Mardi Growl raises $50,000 for AWLA.

Supporters of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria celebrated their own version of Mardi Gras with the third annual “Mardi Growl” bash March 8 at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. “This is an incredible evening,” said former City Manager Vola Lawson, for whom the AWLA shelter building is named.

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