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. State senator introduces bill to give tenants more time to pay late rent before being evicted 2. Fairfax board narrowly votes to oppose any casino legislation not requested by supervisors 3. Virginia officials to weigh conforming to One Big Beautiful Bill tax breaks 4. Veteran environmental legislator Del. Bulova selected as Virginia’s next resources secretary 5. Gretchen Bulova will seek husband’s seat in House of Delegates.
State senator introduces bill to give tenants more time to pay late rent before being evicted
By TYLER ENGLANDER, WRIC-TV
From July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, landlords in Virginia filed nearly 140,000 eviction lawsuits, a number State Senator Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) wants to see decreased. Rouse has introduced a bill ahead of the 2026 General Assembly Session to increase the amount of time a tenant has to pay back rent before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit. “In this type of economy, in this type of era that we’re in, it’s particularly important that we try and keep folks within their homes,” Rouse told 8News.
Fairfax board narrowly votes to oppose any casino legislation not requested by supervisors
By SCOTT MCCAFFREY AND ANGELA WOOLSEY, FFXnow
By the narrowest of majorities, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors went on record today (Tuesday) opposing any state legislation authorizing development of a casino property within the county’s borders. The 5-4 vote was in support of a proposal from Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn to include a plank in the county’s 2026 legislative package stating opposition to any casino legislation until it is formally requested by a majority of supervisors and meets a number of other criteria. Alcorn said even the possibility of a casino in the Tysons area could have a “chilling effect” on economic development there, based on his conversations with property owners and developers.
Virginia officials to weigh conforming to One Big Beautiful Bill tax breaks
By BRAD KUTNER, WVTF-FM
When the federal government changes its tax code, Virginia usually follows. But changes made by President Donald Trump in the One Big Beautiful Bill could press that tradition. … The One Big Beautiful Bill changed rules around the standard deduction and could lead to as much as an extra $2,000 after you file by some estimates. But state taxes? That’s a different story. Delegate Vivian Watts, chair of the House Finance Committee, said while conforming Virginia’s rules to the new federal standards may make taxes easier, some proposed cuts could cost the state billions.
Veteran environmental legislator Del. Bulova selected as Virginia’s next resources secretary
By MARKUS SCHMIDT, Virginia Mercury
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger moved Thursday to elevate one of the General Assembly’s most seasoned environmental lawmakers, selecting Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, to lead Virginia’s natural and historic resources portfolio when she takes office next month. Spanberger said Bulova’s decades in environmental planning and his legislative work on water quality, Chesapeake Bay cleanup and conservation policy make him well suited to steer the administration’s efforts on climate resilience, preservation and land stewardship. In announcing the choice, she framed the appointment as central to her agenda.
Gretchen Bulova will seek husband’s seat in House of Delegates
By JARED SERRE, FFXnow
Fairfax Democrats won’t have to look far for a candidate to succeed Del. David Bulova (D-11) in the House of Delegates. Gretchen Bulova will seek to replace her husband as the 11th House District’s delegate once he officially joins the cabinet of Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger next month, she told FFXnow. A Democrat, Bulova currently chairs both the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the county’s History Commission. She has been employed as the director of Historic Alexandria since 2019.