Apr 25, 2025, 10:20
by
Hannah Jane Costilow
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of public policy issues and headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth, and Capitol Hill.
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: 1. Judge Allows HUD To Cancel Fair Housing Grants 2. Lack of statewide GOP primary might diminish turnout for down-ballot primaries 3. Metro’s future: No rail expansion, more bus lanes 4. Trump administration eyes deep cuts to Section 8 housing vouchers 5. Controversial Casino Bill Likely To Resurface In 2026: Lawmakers.
By Alexia Smokler, Washington Report
On Monday, April 14, a judge allowed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to proceed with clawing back 78 fair housing grants awarded to fair housing organizations in 33 states. The grants, which are authorized by statute, support fair housing education and enforcement efforts in local communities.
The sudden withdrawal of Pat Herrity from the Republican primary for lieutenant governor means the GOP will have no statewide primaries in June. Republicans will have ten primaries for House of Delegates seats. Republicans have primaries in the four House of Delegates seats where their incumbents are not seeking reelection. They also have primary contests in three of the districts where the party is targeting incumbent House Democrats plus two primaries in districts that have safe incumbent Democrats. Republican operative Jeff Ryer says not having anything at the top of the ticket changes who will show up to vote.
Metro unveiled some preliminary plans for future investment on Thursday, which include a clear shift away from rail expansion in favor of more frequent bus service. At a board meeting, Metro officials laid out the overall direction the transit agency should take in the coming years in a presentation titled, “World Class Transit.” They said rail construction has become too expensive in the U.S., and the transit system should use its capital funds on more cost-effective ways to improve service.
By Jonathan Celozier, Housingwire
The White House is considering sweeping cuts to federal housing assistance programs, including the Section 8 voucher system, in a move that could leave millions of low-income families without rental support, The New York Times reported Thursday.
By Michael O’Connell, Pacth
Despite the controversial Tysons casino referendum bill failing to move forward in the recent session of the Virginia General Assembly, both of the lawmakers who represent Reston in Richmond said they expect the legislation to re-emerge in 2026.