Friends,

Last week I was invited by the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office to visit the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. There I was joined by local leaders and members of the US House Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus to learn more about the different programs we have that focus on inmate reform and recovery.

We want to ensure that when someone enters our criminal justice system, they have everything they need to turn their life around so that when they do go out, they will never come back. One of the programs that was highlighted during my visit was the STAR Program. Launched by Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, the Striving to Achieve Recovery (STAR) program is a voluntary program that is led by certified peer specialists with support from jail-based medical and behavioral health professionals. This program helps inmates with histories of drug-involved arrests and chronic substance use. Inmates live together in a housing unit that serves as a therapeutic community where they assume responsibility not only for their own recovery, but also for the recovery of their peers, working collectively to hold each other accountable.

Ensuring that inmates who are leaving our custody and reentering society have the necessary resources and support they need doesn't just positively impact their individual lives, it also helps reduce crimes as a whole within our community. I am proud of the work that is being done by our Sheriff’s Office. Our programs serve as a shining example of how other localities can help inmates reform successfully.

From my visit to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

Pictured: Paul Tonko, Abigail Spanberger, Madeleine Dean, Becca Balint, Tony Cardenas, Thomas Arnold, Catherine Read, Shannon Taylor, Lisa Potter, Tom Carr, Dr. Dan Avstreigh.

• Casino Bill Update
• Northern Virginia's Economic Success 
• Free Tax Preparation Help
• Black History Month
• The Design & Environmental Achievement Awards
• Sorensen Institute's 2024 High School Leaders Program
• POSTPONED - New Year Reception

What’s happening? Today (Tuesday, Feb. 6) the Virginia Senate Finance Committee voted to carry over for the year Senate Bill 675 allowing a casino in Fairfax County, which means it will not be acted on again until at least next year. The decision of the Committee is meant to ensure that more research is to be conducted on the effects a potential casino would have on the surrounding area and our County, according to the discussion at the General Assembly.

Anything else? I feel the Senate Finance Committee did the right thing by saying we need to take a step back and understand all the details of the proposal. We only learned many of those details in dribbles as the bill was sorted out and after it was introduced, and we still do not have all of the information we need. I sent a letter last month to the General Assembly laying out my concerns with the proposal. I wrote in that letter that the community deserves to know all the details of a major proposal like this, details such as what is actually included in the proposal, the proposed site, potential revenues, community impacts, traffic impacts, and more, before the General Assembly considers it. To be clear, at no point in this process did I or the Board of Supervisors request the authority to build a casino in Fairfax County. We take community engagement very seriously and pride ourselves on the processes in place, and the casino proposal did not follow any of these processes.

What’s happening? More good economic news for Fairfax County! In a recent article from Axios D.C., Northern Virginia is highlighted as the new “it” place in our region for economic success. For the past five years, Fairfax County and Arlington County have beaten D.C.’s economy in real GDP growth. 

Data: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Chart: Axios Visuals.

Anything else? This comes as no surprise as we have seen success story after success story regarding our strong economy. Fairfax County has more businesses operating now than ever before and more people working than ever before! We will keep working hard to make sure Fairfax County continues to have the world class talent pool it has today, and we will keep working to ensure that Fairfax County remains a place that businesses can grow.

What’s happening? Tax season is officially underway — and so too is free tax preparation assistance by the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program. Fairfax County is partnering with the nonprofit to provide eight county facilities where residents can get no-cost help filling out their federal and state taxes through April 15.

Tell me more! Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year, according to AARP. At every location, volunteers can help you prepare your federal and Virginia state tax returns, and some locations can also assist you with District of Columbia and Maryland taxes.

Where can I find more information? Visit Free Tax Preparation Help Available Until April 15 | News Center (fairfaxcounty.gov) for additional information, locations, and hours of operation.   

Take advantage of these awesome resources!

What’s happening? February is Black History Month! Now is a wonderful opportunity for us to honor, recognize, and appreciate the African American community and all of their contributions. We plan on celebrating all month long and you can too! There are so many ways to celebrate Black History Month in Fairfax County.

Tell me more!

• Looking to learn more about Black history? Check out some of the events the Fairfax County Public Library will be hosting this month by visiting, Celebrate and Honor Black History Month With FCPL | Library (fairfaxcounty.gov)

• To check out all the different events being hosted at Fairfax County Parks this month, visit Black History Month | Park Authority (fairfaxcounty.gov)

• And for a full list of ways you can celebrate Black history in the DMV check out this article from Visit Fairfax: 20+ Ways to Celebrate Black History Month near DC | Visit Fairfax (fxva.com)

Please note that some of the events listed in the links above have already passed, but there are still plenty that haven’t for you to enjoy! 

Happy Black History Month!

What's happening? Chairman Jeff McKay, Supervisor James Walkinshaw, and the Design & Environmental Achievement Awards Planning Committee invite you to join us as we honor the 2023 recipients of the Friends of Tree Awards, the Environmental Excellence Awards, and the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards.

Tell me more! The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Fairfax County Government Center Board Auditorium. Reception to follow in the Government Center Forum.

Anything else? To register for this event, visit Design & Environmental Achievement Awards (constantcontact.com)

What’s happening? The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership is seeking civic-minded students from across Virginia to apply to the 2024 High School Leaders Program (HSLP)!

Tell me more! The HSLP is a two-week summer program designed for Virginia high school students who have a passion for public service and leadership. The HSLP curriculum covers the foundations of public policy and effective civic engagement, while connecting students with peers of different backgrounds and philosophies from around the state. Admitted students live on Grounds at the University of Virginia, attend field trips, and network with current leaders in Virginia's public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Anything else? I myself was a graduate of the Sorensen Institute back in the 1990’s, and it was a tremendously positive experience so encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity! The online application for the 2024 HSLP is open through Monday, March 25, 2024, at 11:59PM. Supplemental Materials (transcript, resume, and up to 2 letters of recommendation) are due Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11:59PM. To learn more or refer a candidate, visit High School Leaders Program (HSLP) | Cooper Center or contact Sorensen Community Relations and Program Recruiting Assistant, JaVori Warren, at jw3uj@virginia.edu.

Calling all future leaders!

What’s happening? I regret to announce that we will be postponing the Chairman's New Year Reception scheduled for this Friday, February 9th, until further notice. I have recently tested positive for COVID-19, and to avoid putting others at risk, we have decided to reschedule this year's celebration to a later date. Please keep an eye out for updates on a new date in the future.