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. Youngkin sets Sept. 9 special election to fill Connolly’s seat 2. The National Observer: Real Estate: New steel, aluminum tariffs to hit construction industry 3. Developers face too many bureaucratic hurdles, County Board candidates say 4. Fairfax leaders bullish on AI industry growth but see need to prepare for job impacts 5. The Legislation on Everyone’s Mind: Tax Reform.
By MARKUS SCHMIDT, Virginia Mercury
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday set a special election for Sept. 9, 2025, to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly, a longtime Democratic fixture in Northern Virginia who passed away May 21 after a recurrence of cancer. The writ of election, issued by Youngkin’s office, triggers a high-stakes contest in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, a region that leans solidly Democratic and is home to a large population of federal workers. Candidates hoping to compete must file by July 11, with eligibility details available on the Department of Elections website.
By ASHLEY FAHEY, Washington Business Journal
Construction markets across the country are feeling the brunt of tariffs, albeit not uniformly. General contractors are preparing for additional price hikes on key building materials in the wake of new steel and aluminum tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump's administration this week.
By SCOTT MCCAFFREY, ARLNow
Arlington’s slow process for approving and permitting new development came under fire from County Board candidates, including the incumbent, at a recent forum. “It’s a problem, no question about it,” incumbent Board Chair Takis Karantonis said at the event hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. About 75 people turned out at VHC Health to hear Karantonis, his Democratic primary opponent James DeVita and independents Audrey Clement and Jeramy Olmack discuss business issues.
At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors Council for Economic Opportunity on Tuesday (June 3), regional government and private sector leaders discussed plans to assemble an AI Coalition. Fairfax County leaders said part of their goal is to become a leader in AI technology and facilitate a business community that’s fully adopting and training workers on AI.
By MICHAEL RAUBER, REALTOR® News Magazine
Will the current tax reform bill — with significant wins for real estate — emerge intact from Senate deliberations? Ahead of meetings with their senators and representatives this week, National Association of REALTORS® members had the opportunity to sit with two former members of Congress — Kevin Brady of Texas and Dan Kildee of Michigan — for a discussion centered on H.R. 1, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, and its potential impact on the real estate economy.