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Dear MCA Members:
Great News For Fairfax County! Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed SB 756, the "Casino Bill" (see No Casino, below). A huge thank you to MCA's Linda Walsh and Sally Horn, as well as all the MCA members who called and/or wrote letters. Thank you also to Supervisor Bierman (read his note) and Chairman McKay (watch his video) and all those on the Board of Supervisors who opposed the Casino in Fairfax.
As most of you are aware, MCA hosted a successful post-session Town Hall with Senator Jennifer Boysko and Delegate Rip Sullivan on March 31st at the McLean Community Center (see photos above and below). Thank you to all members and residents of McLean who attended and asked pertinent questions. Senator Boysko and Delegate Sullivan were gracious with their time and informative responses. We would also like to thank them both for speaking out against the casino.
Coming soon, a new local downtown McLean Fresh Farmers Market will open on Saturday, May 9th (and stay open until the end of October). MRC Vice President and MCA Board member Peter Appel has been working with business owners in our community. The owner of Match Munch at 6888 Elm St. has offered space for vendors so that local fresh produce can be available to us each Saturday. Thank you, Ian.
Also, a reminder that many of our local restaurants are participants in the first MRC sponsored Restaurant Week which extends from Sunday, April 12th through Sunday April 19th. Promotions will include limited time menu offerings, bundled meals, and other items.
Our nominating committee is busy talking to potential Board candidates for the coming year. Please note that MCA's appointments to the McLean Planning Commission (MPC) and McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) will be made and approved at our June meeting. If you are interested in working with the MPC or MRC on MCA's behalf please send me an email.
And please vote for your chosen candidates who are running for McLean Community Center's (MCC) Board of Governors. MCA plans to host its annual "Meet the Candidates" night at our May 6th Board meeting, which will take place at 7:30 pm at the MCC. MCA Board member Martin Smith is a candidate.
Spring is here with our April showers, and I look forward to more sun and blooming flowers in McLean. Enjoy the wonderful area where we have chosen to live, and join MCA to have your opinions known.
Regards,
Camille | | At left, MCA Board member Richard Igercich speaks with Senator Jennifer Boysko; at right, MCA President Camille White-Partain stands with Delegate Rip Sullivan (photos by MCA Membership Committee member Martha Vera). | In recognition of his exceptional productivity, professionalism, and dedication to traffic safety, enforcement, and community engagement, Master Police Officer Brian Hungarter was awarded the McLean District Station Community Advisory Committee 2025 Officer Of the Year Award at a ceremony on March 12th. From left to right, Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman; MCA President Camille White-Partain; Officer Hungarter; and MCA Public Safety Liaison Patrick Smaldore. (photo by Don Sumihiro, MCA Public Safety Vice Liaison)
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2026 Senior Safety Summit Set for April 22nd
Mark your calendar for this popular community-wide public safety event sponsored by MCA.
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|  | MCA Passes FY 2027 Budget Resolution
In the FY2027 budget resolution approved after vigorous debate at its April 8th Board meeting, MCA urges the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BoS) to:
- Reduce the property tax rate from its current $1.1225 per $100 of assessed value;
- Consider funding this reduction by using some meals tax revenues, raising Business, Professional, Occupational and Licensing (BPOL) tax rates, using some of the $23 million of unallocated funds in the FY2027 Advertised Budget, and/or applying additional state aid received for FY2027;
- Adjust capital and operating expenditures to take into account demographic changes, for example, by increasing the portion of its General Fund transfer to FCPS that is explicitly earmarked for maintenance of existing schools; and
- Have its Program Auditor analyze:
(1) The range of ratios of assessed values to sales prices for homes sold in 2025;
(2) Increases in FCPS administrative positions despite declining student enrollment; and
(3) Deferring part of the transfer from the General Fund to the School Operating Fund (SOF) until the County can compute the appropriate transfer using actual enrollment data and actual state aid.
Note the following dates:
April 14-16: Public hearings on FY 2027 Budget, FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
April 28: BoS marks up FY 2027 Budget, Adopts CIP
May 12: School Board hearing on FCPS FY 2027 Budget
May 21: School Board adopts FCPS FY 2027 Approved Budget
The Budget & Taxation Committee's next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 21st at 7:30 pm at the McLean Community Center. Contact Committee Chair Louise Epstein for more information. | Pimmit Hills Gas Pipeline
At its April meeting, MCA approved a letter to Washington Gas requesting written assurance from the utility that addresses the concerns, risk and disruption associated with the pipeline's construction through the residential neighborhood of Pimmit Hills and its long-term safety and maintenance. The letter outlines seven specific areas of concern, including issues surrounding the pipeline installation as well as insurance and other issues that pose more long-term concerns.
The Planning & Zoning Committee's next meeting will be held on April 28th at 7pm via Zoom. Contact Committee Chair, Bob Perito for more information. | | The 2026 MCA-sponsored Youth Job Fair brought students and businesses together. (photos by MCA Membership Committee member Martha Vera) | Outstanding Character Award for Teenagers
MCA is again sponsoring Teen Character Awards to recognize teens with exceptional ethical and compassionate character. Teens who have, on their own and without compensation or formal recognition, cared for elderly relatives or younger siblings, or who have helped out in the neighborhood or anywhere in the greater DC area, deserve to be recognized not only for themselves but as examples to others.
All teen nominations must meet the criteria listed on the attached Application. The MCA Education and Youth Committee will review nominations to determine compliance and select the winners from the most deserving candidates.
The award consists of a certificate, which will be presented on the outdoor stage at McLean Day at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Names of award winners will be provided to the local newspapers to highlight recognition of the teens' achievements.
NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL TO e-y_committee@mcleancitizens.org NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026.
For further information, email the E&Y Committee Chair. |  | Governor Spanberger Vetoes SB756, the Tysons Casino Bill
By now you probably know that Governor Spanberger vetoed the Tysons Casino bill, but what is more encouraging is the reason she vetoed the bill: “I veto Senate Bill 756 as it would strip the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors of control over the local approval process, require the county to set a referendum, and set a broader precedent.” Read her statement here.
What is meant by “set a broader precedent”? Traditionally, local governments possess land use authority to manage development in alignment with their community’s objectives, requirements, and values. The five localities that have been granted State authority to pursue casino development actively requested this authority. Fairfax County not only did not request to be designated as an approved casino site, but the Board of Directors also specifically opposed the bill in their legislative agenda, via letters to General Assembly leadership and, more recently, in a meeting between Chairman McKay and the Governor. If SB756 had been enacted, it would have overridden Fairfax County’s established land use planning procedures and disregarded the Board’s stated opposition. Richmond would have usurped local land use authority.
Governor Spanberger has articulated a definitive position: Any proposals for establishing a casino must be initiated at the local level. Hopefully this position will discourage any State Senator or Delegate from introducing casino legislation without a specific request from the local authority, in our case from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. We want to thank the Governor for vetoing the bill and protecting local land use authority.
-- Linda Walsh, MCA Liaison to the No Casino Coalition | Upcoming Special Events
April 12th - 19th
Brought to you by McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC), McLean's inaugural Restaurant Week features prix fixe menus, bundled meal deals, and other promotions. See link above for participating restaurants and details.
Saturday, April 18th, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
McLean Community Center (MCC)
Got stuff? Need stuff? Residents selling gently used household-related items are welcome (registration required - see link above for details.)
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