by Danielle Finley, Associate Director of Political Engagement
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines. In this Issue: In this Issue: 1. Arlington Missing Middle critics ask Virginia Supreme Court to block new permits 2. Fairfax County leaders to fight any state bills diluting local authority to regulate housing 3. Subramanyam asks counties to extend tax deadlines during government shutdown 4. Fauquier supervisors back underground transmission lines with formal resolution 5. Senate Passes Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act as Part of NDAA.
Arlington Missing Middle critics ask Virginia Supreme Court to block new permits
By DAN EGITTO, ArlNow
Missing Middle’s critics are launching another round of opposition as Arlington County returns to accepting permit applications for this kind of construction. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit over Arlington’s Expanded Housing Option filed an emergency motion yesterday (Monday) in the Supreme Court of Virginia. They’re seeking to block a Virginia Court of Appeals order that allows the county to resume issuing permits for multifamily construction in previously single-family-only neighborhoods.
Fairfax County leaders to fight any state bills diluting local authority to regulate housing
By SCOTT MCCAFFREY, FFXnow
Fairfax County leaders appear ready to battle any efforts in the 2026 General Assembly session to strip powers of local government to regulate creation of new housing. “We want affordable housing,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said, but the county’s lobbying efforts in Richmond would be focused on “making sure the General Assembly doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all” approach that erases local decision-making powers. The concern among local government leaders across the commonwealth on the issue has been percolating for several years, as affordable housing advocates have pressed state legislators to remove regulatory impediments to creating new housing stock.
Subramanyam asks counties to extend tax deadlines during government shutdown
Loudoun Times
U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-10th, wants Loudoun and surrounding counties to extend personal property tax deadlines during the government shutdown, according to an Oct. 10 statement from his office. Subramanyam sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors in Loudoun County, plus the boards of Prince William, Faquier and Rappahannock counties, asking them to consider a “temporary extension” of the deadline and waive late fees in light of the current shutdown.
Fauquier supervisors back underground transmission lines with formal resolution
By GRACE SCHUMACHER, Fauquier Now
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors on Thursday adopted a resolution supporting underground high-voltage direct current transmission lines proposed by Dominion Energy through the PJM Interconnection planning process. The board’s action comes as several large transmission projects have been proposed in and through Fauquier County, including one anticipated to go before the county’s Planning Commission [this] week.
Senate Passes Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act as Part of NDAA
By ELAYNE WEISS, Washington Report
On October 9, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025 (ROAD to Housing Act) as part of its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).