County Hopes for Suburban Coalition in VA Legislature

Fairfax County officials expected to win several victories in this legislative session in the long-running battle between what the Washington Post calls Northern Virginia (NOVA) and the rest of Virginia (ROVA). As the Post reports, however, that hasn't happened so far. 

County politicians expected to use new legislative seats gained after the 2010 census to push Northern Virginian priorities, like increased funding for roads. So far, however, Republicans and Democrats have been more interested in loyalty to their party than to their region, according to the Post.

Still, there have been a few successes for Northern Virginia in Richmond, including a bill that would change the composition of the board that distributes transportation funds. The House of Delegates voted to approve the bill. 

"That bill is a first step of the urban crescent asserting itself," bill co-sponsor Del. Scott Surovell (D), who represents part of Hayfield, told the Post.

The bill would give Northern Virginia at least two more votes on the board, Surovell .

Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay (D), who represents Kingstowne on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, told the Post that he blamed the lack of a cross-party suburban coalition on a lack of leadership.

McKay Virginia's state government when Governor Bob McDonnell's push for more seats on the Metro board caused McKay to lose his own seat.