Impact of Dulles is Widespread

Airport’s impacts extend well beyond the local economy.

Last week, I wrote about the importance of Washington Dulles International Airport to the economy of Loudoun County, the region and the state. In the 50 years since it opened, the airport has made an impact on much more than just the economy. Population In 1960, just two years before Dulles Airport opened, Loudoun’s population was 24,549. It had hovered around 20,000 since the first U.S. Census in 1790. By 1970, the population was 37,150, a 51% increase. Every decade since, the county population has increased by at least 50%, much more in some decades. The population is now estimated to be more than 328,000. Of course, some – maybe most – of that population growth would have occurred if the airport had been located in Burke instead of …

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Bob Bruhns

4:17 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012

The $150 million from Virginia is being used by MWAA to hide the big toll increases until AFTER the approvals and AFTER the ground is broken. Then... SURPRISE!!! People need to read the news a little, although the news IS often a bit selective in its reporting.   more ›

Loudoun’s Economic Engine Turns 50

Washington Dulles International Airport is still the engine that drives Loudoun’s economy.

Loudoun County may be known as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation, with the highest median incomes. Loudoun may be known across the country for its annual battles over religious displays on the courthouse grounds. Loudoun may be known regionally, if not nationally, as “DC’s Wine Country,” as it is being marketed by the convention and visitors association. History buffs may know Leesburg as the site of the Battle of Balls Bluff, or the temporary home of the Declaration of Independence during the War of 1812. The Middleburg area may be known far and wide as horse country. Ashburn may get Loudoun County on the evening news or in the morning newspaper every day during football season, as the corporate home and practice site of …

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A Damaging Message

Finance Committee’s budget recommendation could hurt the recruitment and retention of good employees.

“If you think things are bad now, get used to it. They’re not going to get any better for the next few years.” They may not have intended it, but that’s the message the Board of Supervisors’ Finance, Government Services & Operations Committee sent to employees of the Loudoun County government and school system last week. By a 4-1 vote, the committee recommended that the budget for next year, Fiscal Year 2014, be prepared at a tax rate three cents below the equalized rate, which would keep property tax bills level for the average homeowner. All cuts resulting from the three-cent reduction below the equalized rate would occur on the school side of the budget. The committee’s recommendation is expected to go to the full Board of Supervisors …

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Bob Bruhns

2:52 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hi BCan - aren't you the guy who didn't believe that several pro-rail leaders admitted that mostly airport employees would use the Dulles Airport rail station? You thought I was making that up, but I showed you three quotes - from Stuart Mendelsohn, Sharon Bulova and Sean Connaughton. So maybe you should not be in such a hurry to ignore facts? Maybe? Taxpayers should have paid attention to the …   more ›

Good News in County Benchmarks

Responses to survey questions highlight Loudoun County’s outstanding quality of life.

One purpose of Loudoun County’s survey of residents is to get an accurate reading of how the public feels about county services and “quality of life” issues. The 2012 survey provides a snapshot of public opinion last spring. It also serves as a benchmark when comparing this year’s results to those obtained in past surveys, which date back to 1995. In general, the rankings in all these areas were very good news, especially for economic development and real estate interests. Safety An extremely high percentage of respondents – more than 98 percent – said they feel safe in their neighborhoods. Ratings were high in both rural and non-rural areas. Only one respondent – out of more than 1,000 – felt unsafe because of gangs. This was the county’s…

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Poll: Should Obama Propose Extending Tax Cuts to All?

President Obama wants to extend tax cuts only to those making less than $250,000.

As President Barack Obama prepares to visit Fairfax County, one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, on Saturday, members of Congress are debating whether to heed his call to extend a Bush-era tax cut to families making less than $250,000. Republicans want to see that cut applied to all, including families making more than $250,000. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who represents Virginia's 7th Congressional District, said he would schedule a vote later this month to extend the cuts to all, including the wealthy. Obama has said he would veto anything that includes tax cuts for all. Former Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat and friend of the president, disagrees with Obama on the cut-off point. Instead of just extending the tax cuts for …

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T-Bird

10:53 am on Friday, September 21, 2012

When you say "poor" do you mean the 47% of the population Romney dismissed? I love this new party line where ONLY the rich create jobs. That IS rich! Perhaps you never heard of a guy named George Romney. Living on welfare and food stamps at one point, he made some money and is now rich and employs people. You speak of opprutunity, but it seems you mean only for the rich. While the rest of us …   more ›

POLL: Best Tax Preparation

Where's the best place to get your taxes done?

In this week's Readers' Choice we're asking you where's the best place to have your taxes done. Are you an early filer? A late one? If you have yet to file, have a look at the Ashburn Patch business directory to find a local tax preparer near you.  Here are some of our picks for local tax preparers, but if we're leaving one off of the list that you think belongs, please let us know in the comments and we'll add it: Voting is open until 9 a.m. on Friday, April 6. Because this poll below is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results and user reviews in the Patch listings directory. Please vote only once per survey, per Patch.  So tell us—…

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Dusty Smith

12:25 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012

I appreciate the request. We've been deciding the subjects regionally and publishing the regional winners, so I'll suggest we throw it in the mix. If anyone does have a favorite, please comment on their listing, or let us know if they are in Ashburn, but not listed.   more ›

Letter to the Editor

LTE: Finding Metro Bucks

Readers makes case for bailing on rail instead of slew of other budget items.

To Mr. Flannery and anyone else who cares about a particular program or about Loudoun County spending in general, hear this: Metro to Loudoun will forever have a dominant effect on spending priorities, second only to schools, if it comes to Loudoun. It is a one-time mega-purchase managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), who Congressman Frank Wolf calls ‘unaccountable.’ It is also a partnership with WMATA, which runs Metro, but is chronically underfunded and is desperate to get its hooks into Loudoun to help with the rehab costs of the entire system. In early January, Supervisor Buona was quoted in comments made at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast. “The budget process would to have to be viewed carefully, as the …

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School Budget, County Tax Goals Put Boards at Loggerheads

As supervisors seek deeper budget cuts, school board members make their case.

Supervisors Begin Budget Talks with 5% Tax-Cut Goal

The Loudoun board targets $1.21 rate; county would need to trim $50 million and schools $45 million from current proposals.

Budget Hearings Underway, Continue Saturday

Residents are invited to makes appeals to supervisors about favored budget items or tax concerns.

UPDATE:  No hearing Thursday. Next hearing is Saturday in Ashburn (see below). Residents today and Saturday have the opportunity to comment on Loudoun’s proposed $1.6 billion FY 2012 budget during public hearings in Leesburg and Ashburn [Watch the county's Webcast]. Under County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s proposal, the school system would receive full funding for its operating budget request and the real estate tax rate next year would be $1.32 per $100 of assessed value, representing a 4 percent tax increase for the average homeowner. Nearly 70 percent of the budget – slightly more than $1 billion – would fully fund the Loudoun County Public School system’s request. Under the proposed fiscal plan, about 69 percent of local tax funding …

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