Alex joined City Paper as Loose Lips in January 2022, following stops at a variety of D.C.-area media outlets. At publications including the Washington Business Journal, ARLnow, and InsideNoVa, he focused on the region’s housing crisis, the arrival of Amazon HQ2, and local politics of all kinds. A Northern Virginia native and Virginia Tech grad, Alex spends his time away from work watching too much TV, obsessing over his hometown Pittsburgh teams, and trying to sample all the world’s gins.

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Loose Lips

After Years Positioning Herself as a Housing Leader, Bowser Beats a Retreat in Her New Budget

Advocates and lawmakers are alarmed by Bowser’s proposals to walk back spending on development and rental assistance.

Mayor Muriel Bowser spent the past few years casting herself as a regional leader on housing and homelessness issues. But at the first sign of a slowing economy, she’s pivoted to a full retreat. In just about every area of housing policy, Bowser’s new budget, released Wednesday, is a bit stingier than prior proposals, according…

by Alex Koma March 23rd, 2023March 24th, 2023

Loose Lips

Bowser-Mendelson Battle Over Free Metrobus Program Peaks as Budget Season Arrives

The dispute is drawing in Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee as Mendelson pushes back against the CFO’s expansive authority.

The dispute over free Metrobus fares is drawing in Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee as Council Chair Phil Mendelson pushes back against the CFO’s expansive authority.

by Alex Koma March 22nd, 2023March 22nd, 2023

Loose Lips

Sexual Harassment Allegations Against John Falcicchio Throw Bowser Administration Into Chaos

Wilson Building insiders wonder how Bowser’s government will function without her most prominent deputy.

The sudden resignation of John Falcicchio has become the talk of the Wilson Building, despite Mayor Muriel Bowser’s wish to keep the focus on work.

by Alex Koma March 20th, 2023March 20th, 2023