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Delegate Ken Plum met with advocates for Wolf Trap's Center for Education. Pictured with him are Lesley Turner, Meg Porta, and Esther and Neil Benson, all of Fairfax County.
February 11, 2009 |
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Commentary
What's Alive, What's Not
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
The General Assembly has reached "crossover," the point in the legislative session when each house must have completed work on its own bills and begin to consider bills from the other house. Since bills are often introduced in both houses, it is difficult to say with certainty the outcome of legislation at this point in the session because the House and the Senate often take very different positions on the same issues. Differences between the House and the Senate on a specific measure are reconciled in the final days of the session in a committee of conference.
Here is what I know at this point in the session on what is alive and what is not, subject to further changes in the next two weeks. A smoking ban in restaurants appears close to passage as the Governor and the Speaker of the House have both endorsed such a measure. I will vote for it. Bills to close the loophole that allows persons to buy guns at gun shows without a criminal or mental health background check have been defeated on the floor of the Senate and in a House committee. I would have voted to close the loophole had a bill been reported in the House.
An increase in the state cigarette tax to help pay Medicaid costs associated with cigarette smoking has been rejected in House and Senate committees. I supported it. The issue may emerge again as the final budget is put together, as the tax would produce a couple hundred million dollars in revenue. Surprisingly the Senate passed a bill to allow concealed weapons in restaurants. The bill will pass the House easily, although I will vote against it.
The House passed a bill to override a directive by the superintendent of the Virginia State police that required chaplains to deliver nondenominational prayers at State Police functions. The debate sounded like a revival meeting as several members talked of their love for Jesus Christ. I voted against the bill. Bills that would have banned the use of cell phones while driving died as the technical aspects of the bills and the exceptions could not be agreed upon. I supported the bills.
A bill to mandate insurance coverage for treatment of autism died in a subcommittee of the House. I supported the bill and had introduced similar legislation in the past. My bill to establish a 19 percent energy efficiency goal for the Commonwealth was defeated in a House Committee. A companion bill is being considered in the Senate. My bill to allow the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission to investigate discrimination based on sexual orientation was defeated in a subcommittee for the sixth straight year. My bill to establish an independent, nonpartisan redistricting commission to draw legislative district lines after the next census was defeated in a House subcommittee, as were all others dealing with the subject.
Check on legislation of interest to you at http://legis.virginia.gov. The budgets of the two Houses will be reported next week and will be the subject of this column at that time. |
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| "Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Watch this space for program listings from Richmond as they become available during the 2009 General Assembly session.
Online
Watch this week's show and other "Virginia Report" programs at:
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Climate Change Citizen Action
REACT (Reston Environmental Action) asks you to remember to USE your reusable shopping bags. Groceries normally do fill more than one bag, but every bag helps. Visit www.restonenvironmentalaction.org to learn about Reston Recycles.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ( www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/) includes a helpful tutorial on home energy audits as well as detailed information abvout insulation, sealing air leaks, and heating systems. Home Energy Saver ( http://hes.lbl.gov/) is a web-based do-it-yourself energy audit tool designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes and find the information and resources to make those savings happen. Consumers can find a certified energy rater in their state through the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Certified Rater Directory ( www.resnet.us/directory/raters.aspx). (Thanks to the League of Women Voters U.S. Climate Change Task Force for this information.)
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Announcements
The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation reminds us that there is no known cause or prevention for breast cancer. Tools for detecting breast cancer are mammogram, clinical breast exam, and self-examination. Breast cancer occurs in men as well as women. More information at www.vbcf.org. For information on free mammogram and pap tests, call 1-866-EWL-4YOU, the Virginia Department of Health's Every Woman's Life Program. Consumers who have an analog TV and rely on a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears to receive their programs are encouraged to take action to ensure at least one TV in their home is prepared for the digital television transition on February 17. The options are:
- Purchase a TV converter box without a coupon (cost varies from $40-$80)
- Buy a TV with a digital tuner.
- Subscribe to cable, satellite, or another pay service.
For more information about the coupon program visit www.DTV2009.gov. For questions about the DTV transition, go to www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-225-5322. The Fairfax County Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection will answer questions about the transition process and provide assistance on how to install a TV converter box. Call 703.324.5900, TTY 711, or email your question to wwwcprd@fairfaxcounty.gov.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its annual seedling sale for 2009. All the seedlings in the package are native to Virginia. This year's seedling varieties were specifically chosen to be bird friendly, and all species are suitable for streamside planting. The package includes two of each of the following varieties: Washington hawthorn, elderberry, willow oak, silky dogwood, American hazelnut, and persimmon. Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/seedlingsale.htm for details.
Young leaders are wanted for the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities' Youth Leadership Forum to be held July 13-17 in Newport News. Twenty-five Virginia high school students with disabilities will be selected to receive full scholarships to participate in this exceptional leadership development program. Applications and instructions can be found at www.vaboard.org/ylf.htm.
Get free tax help at a 2009 AARP Tax Aide Site now through April 15. The majority of the AARP Tax Aide sites operate on a walk-in basis. Appointments are required at some locations. All tax returns will be filed electronically, and all taxpayers must bring government-issued photo IDs and Social Security cards for all persons included on the tax return. Our nearest AARP Tax Aide Site is at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Hours are: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Thursday 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Partial scholarships are available for new ESL for Employment courses. If you have an employees, or know of others that have advanced their English skills and have U.S. work documentation, they may qualify for a 50% matching scholarship for upcoming ESL for Employment classes. Northern Virginia Community College and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce are now enrolling qualified participants at many Northern Virginia locations. To learn more, contact 703.764.7779 or eslemployment@nvcc.edu.
For information on insurance coverage for the cost of hearing aids, contact the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030; www.nvrc.org. 703.352.9055 Voice, 703.352.9056 TTY, 703.352.9058 Fax.
Visit the new Reston Association website, www.reston.org, to explore this beautiful and informative updated site.
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Calendar of Events
Attend an Open Forum Public Hearing on Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway/John Mosby Highway (Route 50) hosted by the Virginia Department of Transportation on Thursday, February 26 (inclement weather date is Thursday, March 5), 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Learn about the proposed widening of Route 50 from four lanes divided to six lanes divided to increase capacity along the roadway. The proposed improvements are located on Route 50 (Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway) between Route 742 (Poland Road) and Route 28 (Sully Road). the 3.6-mile widening would also include improvements at cross streets and stream crossings.
We Are America Now is a breakfast event hosted by Northern Virginia Family Service that celebrates the immeasurable contributions of immigrants to the Washington Metropolitan region. Attend this celebratory event on Friday, February 27, 7:30 a.m., at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church. For more information visit www.nvfs.org.
Attend the Washington Metro Green Job Fair on February 27, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington (near the Ballston Metro Station). Companies can register to sponsor or participate at www.vsbn.org.
Great Energy Efficiency Day 2009 - Keys to Unlocking Energy Efficiency - will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room G-50, Washington, D.C.. For more information visit www.ase.org/geed.
Take your recyclable electronics to the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, on Sunday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free "Electric Sunday" recycling event is hosted by the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program and is limited to the collection of televisions, computers, and peripheral electronic devices including keyboards, speakers, printers, external drives, and other such materials.
Attend "How to Win an Election," a 2-day strategy seminar open to candidates, their spouses, and campaign managers March 17-18, 2009, 9:00 a.m., 12580 West Creek Parkway, Richmond, VA. The seminar is sponsored by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Co-Ops and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. A fee is required. Call 804.290.1021 or 804.968.4091 to learn more.
On March 28, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., millions of people around the globe will be turning off the lights for one hour - Earth Hour - to make a bold statement about climate change.
The 20th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium, "Sustainability - The Nexus of Economic Prosperity & Environmental Stewardship," will be held March 31-April 2, 2009, at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. For more information visit www.environmentva.org.
Attend the Green Expo on Thursday, April 16, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE (between Park and Center Streets). The Green Expo will present practical information and demonstrations to help you make green choices. Presentations and discussions for children and adults from local organizations and businesses including efficiency tips, purchasing local organic products, creating green gardens, recycling options, and much more to save you money and help the environment. No advance registration is necessary.
The Virginia Guardianship & Elder Rights Conference will be held April 27-28 in Richmond. The Conference will focus on activities of special interest to individuals with disabilities and their family members, caregivers, service providers, advocates, and decision-makers. Limited scholarships are available for individuals with disabilities to attend. For more information visit www.vgavirginia.org/conferences.asp.
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| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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