Post Content

Alexandria Grapples with Emergency Federal Spending Restrictions

Alexandria is expecting to receive between $20-27 million dollars in federal CARES Act funding, but that comes with comes a few strings.

“All of that must be used for new expenses,” Mayor Justin Wilson said in a video town hall on Thursday night. “It cannot be used for any expense [that was] in the budget previously.”

Wilson said this adds a layer of difficulty for the city government, which is facing a dramatic loss of revenue and forcing the city manager to recommend cutting back some services and several larger plans.

Alexandria’s portion is expected to come out of $3.3 billion that has been allocated to the state to be redistributed at the local level.

“We’ve learned some things that are good, a lot that is bad,” Wilson said.

Among the pieces of good news is that Virginia unemployment benefits, previously capped at $380 per week at one of the lowest rates in the country, is being extended for an additional $600 — bringing the annual total up to almost $52,000 for those currently unemployed.

Wilson said there is an additional $10 million coming down the pipeline in rental assistance for those struggling to pay their bills without an income. Funding was approved last week for rental assistance for those in affordable housing units.

The expansion also includes gig workers and certain contractors often excluded in other unemployment protections. Wilson said these new protections are part of recognizing that many people have been laid off through fault of their own and face difficulty in finding new jobs.

On Tuesday, the City Council will be discussing how to divide the federal funds.

Staff photo by James Cullum

Recent Stories

Good Monday morning, Alexandria! ☔ Today’s weather: Possible light rain in the afternoon and evening. High of 56 and low of 44. ⛅ Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High…

It was a big week for questions about the future of development, density and affordable housing. In neighboring Arlington, the County Board voted to approve ‘Missing Middle’ zoning changes that…

A GoFundMe campaign for James Lee, a bartender at Mason Social, has raised $58,653 to help him recover from being shot multiple times in an attempted carjacking. Zebra reported last…

The Potomac Crescent Waldorf School (PCWS) opened its new campus in Old Town, Alexandria at 424 N. Washington Street on March 14. The school, which started in 1997 — serving…

Monarch Montessori School located in the heart of Del Ray is enrolling children 6 weeks to 6 years of age for our half day and full day program.

Our hours of operation are 8:00 AM  to 5:30 PM, Monday-Friday. Monarch Montessori School is open year round, with intermittent breaks.  

Children engage in self-directed, self-initiated activities under the guidance of a trained Montessori teacher. Classroom sizes range from 8-12 students. Our robust curriculum includes botany, sensorial activities, the social graces, culture, math, science, practical life, geography, music appreciation and language arts. 

You’ll get half off of the registration fee when you register and begin care with us before April 30, 2023.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Press Release:

EDBS Dental Billing Solutions is pleased to announce that it has achieved compliance with the federally mandated standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) through the use of Compliancy Group’s proprietary HIPAA methodology, The Guard® compliance tracking software, and HIPAA Seal of Compliance®.

The HIPAA Seal of Compliance is issued to organizations that have implemented an effective HIPAA compliance program through the use of The Guard, Compliancy Group’s proprietary compliance tracking solution.

Clients and patients are becoming more aware of the requirements of HIPAA compliance and how the regulation protects their personal information. Forward-thinking providers like EDBS Dental Billing Solutions choose the HIPAA Seal of Compliance to differentiate their services.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Del Ray Dog Fest & Yappy Hour

The 1st Annual Del Ray Dog Fest is a fun outdoor event that will include dog-centered activities, dog menu items, live music, vendors and food on Sunday, April 2 from 11am- 3pm at the George Washington Middle School parking lot.

×

Subscribe to our mailing list