All results / Stories / Michael Lee Pope
Privatized Incarceration
Alexandria senator leads fight against profiting from prisoners
Housing inmates in Virginia prisons costs the state about $70 a day for each inmate. But the private sector can do it a lot cheaper, about $50 a day. Lawmakers are about to debate whether that's a savings they can afford.
Casting a Ballot
Recent changes to voting make casting a ballot easier than ever.
Recent changes to voting make casting a ballot easier than ever.
Demanding Better Budgets
School Board rejects budget document, calls for comprehensive audit.
Demanding Better Budgets
School Board Chairwoman Confronts Governor During Alexandria Education Summit
City leaders hope to change school takeover rather than filing lawsuit.
Sitting face to face with Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell at T.C. Williams, Alexandria School Board Chairwoman Karen Graf challenged the sweeping education reform that threatens to remove Jefferson-Houston School from the city's public school system.
Horse Trading at City Hall as Council Members Approach Budget Deadline
Warwick Pool to remain open for the short term; holiday lights to stay dim during the summer.
The Warwick Pool is likely to stay open for another year, although what happens beyond that is a mystery. But the holiday lights along King Street will likely go dark during the summer months, despite one councilwoman's longtime quest to persuade her colleagues otherwise.
Arlington Officials Release Previously Secret Construction Bids
County leaders change position on secrecy of bids; refuse to reveal expectations.
New documents released by Arlington County officials show the four bids for the new aquatics center at Long Bridge Park range from $81.9 million to $82.8 million.
Why a Regional Wage in Virginia?
Effort to raise minimum wage hits snag on Senate floor, leading to regional approach.
It’s shortly after 7 p.m. on a Tuesday night, and state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) is working the Senate chamber to save the minimum wage increase. This particular Tuesday isn’t just any day of the week. It’s the final deadline for Senate bills to cross over to the House, so the pressure is building as the clock winds down. Senators are tired and cranky, and they will be working past midnight.
Facing Eviction
Virginia has new protections for renters, but temporary measures expire next year.
The clock is ticking for renters across Virginia who are in danger of being evicted. People of color and low-income Virginians are most at risk.
New Book Chronicles African-American History in Alexandria
Story is told through narrative of 63 biographical sketches.
Alexandria currently has its first black mayor, its first black city manager, its first black city attorney, its first black Circuit Court judge and its first black police chief — not to mention the first black president in the White House. But the strains of race relations continue to haunt the city.
Voters to Determine Fate of Amendment to Limit Use of Eminent Domain
Measure will allow property owners to seek damages for loss of profits and access.
Nowhere is the debate about eminent domain more intense than the foot of King Street in Alexandria, where city officials threatened to take land owned by the Old Dominion Boat Club using the power of eminent domain for flood mitigation.
Apprehension Grows Along with Cost Estimate
200 percent spike in cost of streetcar creates a sense of uneasiness among businesses.
Will the Columbia Pike streetcar be good for business? County leaders in Arlington seem to think so, even if the cost of the project has steadily increased since county leaders began planning to finance a streetcar line along the pike. Back in 2005, county leaders estimated it would cost $120 million. Now County Manager Barbara Donnellan estimates it will cost $358 million. That means the cost of the proposal has escalated 200 percent in the last decade.
Alexandria Food Truck Task Force Prepares to Issue Recommendations
A movable feast through Old Town, Del Ray and Carlyle?
This spring, advocates for food trucks will engage in a battle with brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Despite Advances, Many Virginians Remain Uninsured
Affordable Care Act expands coverage, but more than 800,000 still have no health insurance.
What is the state of the uninsured in Virginia?
Boysko Wins Wexton Seat
Democrats enter the new year with a fresh victory and a full head of steam.
.Virginia’s 33rd state Senate District was once a solidly Republican seat, a place where conservative voters repeatedly rewarded Bill Mims for opposing same-sex marriage and championing homeschooling. But ever since Mims resigned to take a job in the McDonnell administration, the seat has been held by a succession of Democrats on their way to bigger and better things.
A Well-Heeled Challenger
Republican Mark Allen says that David Englin is outside of Virginia’s mainstream.
A Well-Heeled Challenger
Living the Dream
Living the Dream
By the time 15-year-old Justin Cox was finished reciting the “I Have A Dream” speech from memory Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, at City Hall, several in the audience were holding back tears
Politics of Notification
Father takes his plight for increased parental notification to Richmond.
Steve Stuban can’t help but wonder if things could have turned out differently. Back in 2010, his son Nick was considered a model student at Woodson High School in Fairfax County.
City Attorney Gave Green Light to Hensley Before All Documents Were Reviewed
Federal grant from 1970s provided barrier to private development of public land.
Recently unearthed documents from city and state archives show Joseph Hensley Park is protected by the Land and Water Conservation Act, which financed development of the city-owned property in the late 1970s.
Federal Officials Audit T.C. Williams to Follow $6 Million in Federal Funds
Three-year program dubbed school 'persistently lowest achieving.'
For two days this week, a team of federal officials from the U.S. Department of Education were in Alexandria to follow the money.
Northern Virginia Democrats Spoiling for a Fight Against Republican Incumbents
13 first-time candidates ready to take on incumbents across the region.
He may be taking the summer off from his role as host of the Daily Show, but Jon Stewart is playing an important role in the Democrats’ campaign for the House of Delegates this fall.