Representing Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax

Newsletter - May 1, 2019

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Or by mail and phone:

Richmond Office:
Pocahontas Building
900 East Main Street, Suite E208
Richmond, VA 23219
804.698.1045

Alexandria Office:
301 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314
571.234.8481

Arlington County Board Votes to
Rename Jefferson Highway

Now I need YOU to Lobby the
Commonwealth Transportation Board!

 
Last Thursday, in a victory for local control and the progressive values of the people of Arlington County, the Arlington County Board voted unanimously for a resolution requesting that the Commonwealth Transportation Board rename Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway or Richmond Boulevard. I appreciated their thanking me personally. (My legal analysis was used by the Virginia Attorney General when he issued his official opinion on the matter at my request. Until that time, Arlington officials had been stymied in their efforts to get the Highway name changed.)

The County Board had originally set a date for the name change to be October 1, but speaking at the public hearing, I persuaded the Board to amend their resolution to allow the street signs to be changed even sooner. 


I want to thank the members of the Board for their alacrity on this issue. Despite a full agenda of 44 other items that lasted from 7 pm into the night, they voted on the resolution after 11pm last Thursday. But while their vote is a huge step in the right direction, we are not done. 
 
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has to approve the name change. They could do so as soon as their next meeting, set for May 15 at 9 am at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, located (ironically) on 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway in Arlington!
 
I will be at the hearing, and I encourage you to be, too. Let's show them that Arlingtonians really want this change.
 
The Chair of the CTB, Virginia's Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, has assured me that she supports the name change. I am lobbying the members of the CTB to approve the change. I have also contacted the Governor's office to urge him as well to encourage CTB members (who are appointed by the Governor) to rename the highway. But this is not a slam dunk, and they need to hear from you, too. 
 
All you have to do is click the link above, add your name and address, and send. Of course, individual messages are even more powerful. Below are the members of the CTB and their emails. Click here to get their phone numbers (on individual profiles). Please call them and/or email them. 

I know that neo-Confederates and white nationalists are calling on the CTB to "preserve" Virginia's racist history and disapprove of the name change. Don't let the CTB vote without having heard from you that it is long-past time Arlington stopped honoring Jefferson Davis, who made war against his countrymen to preserve the odious institution of slavery.

My Re-Election Campaign Kickoff:


RSVP

I hope you can join me for my campaign kickoff on May 11 from 3 to 5 pm at MetroStage in Alexandria. 

I want to share with you some of the work I do on your behalf behind the scenes, work that few constituents know about.

This will not be your typical campaign kickoff. Rather than have other elected officials come speak on my behalf, I wanted you to be able to hear from constituents, activists, and organizers with whom I've worked over the years on a range of issues: preserving Alexandria's African-American history; ensuring that people returning from prison can still participate in our society; protecting a community from an environmental hazard; helping someone see their loved one again; and more.

I am proud to have numerous endorsements, but my kickoff will focus on the most important one of all: the endorsement of our community. 

In the Community 


Talking affordable housing with the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
and fellow members of the Arlington delegation to Richmond. 


At the Marijuana Policy Forum hosted by NORML. 


Speaking, and more importantly, listening to survivors of sexual violence, at the
Take Back the Night/Rally Against Rape (with Senator Barbara Favola).


With Alex Sprague, Mary Paden, and Fairfax County School Board Chair
Karen Corbett-Sanders at Senator Adam Ebbin's campaign kickoff.

With Anh Phan and Alexandria Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker at Alexandria's Love Your Pets event.

Supporting Senator Barbara Favola's re-election with General Assembly colleagues.

At a fundraiser for Joshua Cole for Delegate (Democrat running in Fredericksburg)

Debating in front of high school students as part of the Close Up Foundation's political education program.

Speaking with Close Up participants about whether or not Trump represents conservative values.

Upcoming Events

Please Join Me!

(I personally participate in the events in red)
 
Wednesday, May 1
6:00 - 8:30 pm
NARAL Virginia's 2019 Legislative Scorecard Release Reception
NRECA
4301 Wilson Blvd Ste 1, Arlington
RSVP Here

 

Monday, May 6
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Alexandria Democratic Committee Monthly Meeting
Minnie Howard School Auditorium

3801 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria

Friday, May 10
6:00 - 8030 pm
NoVA Labor "Tribute to Labor" Dinner
Sheraton Premiere Tysons Corner
8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna
 

Saturday, May 11
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Mark's Campaign Kickoff:
Behind the Scenes with Mark Levine
MetroStage
1201 N. Royal Street, Old Town North
RSVP HERE

Saturday, May 11
6:00 - 11:00 pm
Arlington Democrats Blue Victory Dinner
Westin Arlington Gateway
801 N. Glebe Road, Arlington

SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, May 30
7:00 pm
Mark's Third Annual
Rainbow Democrats' Extravaganza
Freddie's Beach Bar, Arlington
The only LGBT Talent Show in Support of Virginia Democrats!

It is always my honor and privilege to serve you.

Delegate Mark Levine
Serving Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax in Virginia's 45th District