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We are thankful for the many blessings that faith, family, friendships, and community give us each day. We wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.
Jane and Ken Plum
November 25, 2009 |
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| Commentary
Taxing and Spending in Virginia
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Political pundits are continuing to debate the meaning of the outcome of the recent Virginia elections. While the elections were state level only, some voters came to the polls with federal issues in mind - what some called socialized medicine, rising federal deficit, bailouts, continued wars, and the President himself. There may have been little nexus between their issues and the persons for whom they did or did not vote, but it was clear that some people were interested in "sending a message."
One generalized concern is related to government taxing and spending. Certainly it is a legitimate issue at any time, but one I hope at the Virginia state level can be pursued based on factual information. Virginia did not become recognized by independent assessments as the best managed state and the best state for business without significant controls on its taxing and spending policies. According to the Tax Foundation, Virginia has the 45th lowest state and local tax rates when compared to income of taxpayers.
During the past decade the Virginia General Assembly has made significant changes to tax policies that will reduce tax revenue available to the general fund by $1.878 billion in the next biennium. In 2004 Governor Warner's tax reform legislation produced what is described in political campaigns as the greatest tax increase in Virginia's history producing about $1.6 billion per biennium for the state's budget. Seldom mentioned in those political campaigns are the biennial tax reductions enacted during the decade lowering tax revenues available to the general fund by $3.478 billion. Tax cuts during the decade included for each biennium $1.9 billion car tax cut starting in 1999, estate tax repeal in 2009 for $280 million, and reduced sales tax on food in 2006 for $381 million. Low income tax relief was granted in 2000 and 2007 for $125 million. Tax credits were extended for historic rehabilitation in 1999 for $92 million and for land preservation in 2003 for $300 million. In 2009, $400 million in insurance premium and recordation tax revenues were shifted from the general fund to transportation.
With the tax cuts and tax policy changes made during the past decade, Virginia will have nearly $1.9 billion in fewer dollars available to the general fund budget for the next biennium than it would have had without these cuts and changes. At the same time the state's revenues have declined 9.2 percent this year for the greatest decline in 70 years. The state's spending will be reduced to keep the budget in balance. A more accurate portrayal of the Commonwealth's experience in the last decade might be tax and spending cutting and budget balancing.
For more information go to The Virginia News Letter, October 2009 issue, WeldonCooperCenter, University of Virginia, www.coopercenter. |
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"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, November 25 at 10:30 p.m. - Jim Cleveland, Reston resident and businessman - "A Vision - Reston Town Center at 20"
Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 2 at 10:30 p.m. - Elizabeth Vandenburg and Bill Campbell - "Laptops for Success at South Lakes High School"
Online Viewing
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Reston Town Center is 20!
Attend Kickoff Celebration on November 27
Reston Town Center is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2010. The kickoff celebration will be the annual Holiday Parade at the Town Center this Friday, November 27 - the day after Thanksgiving - at 10:00 a.m. Watch for many other events throughout the year as we mark this very special anniversary in our community. |
| The Gift of Giving
Giving reminds us of our own riches and blessings and how easily we can make an impact on the lives of those in our community who are not as fortunate. This holiday season make a donation of time and money to a local organization that is helping others. Suggestions for charitable organizations that would appreciate your help are listed below. Send your family's suggestions for charitable giving to me and I will be pleased to list them here.
- "Laptops for Success" at South Lakes High School supports financially needy and academically deserving graduating seniors by awarding them laptop computers. The organization's message is simple: "We believe in you. You can succeed in college, and we are sending you off with this important tool to help you succeed." Founded in 2006, Laptops for Success has awarded 17 laptops to deserving students through 2008, and all 17 students are still in college and working toward their degrees. Your tax-deductible gift to be used for laptops this school year would be greatly appreciated. Visit www.laptopsforsuccess.org to donate or for more information.
- The ACE Training and Scholarship Foundation was established in the Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education department in response to two demonstrated needs in the community: an increasing number of people in the region needing to upgrade their trade and technical skills to stay competitive in today's economy, and numerous businesses indicating a need for their current employees to upgrade their skills in areas such as technology, English for speakers of other languages, and workplace readiness. Scholarship recipients must live or work in Fairfax County and meet low income guidelines as established by the Federal Government for Fairfax County. Your donation will help provide scholarships to citizens wanting to upgrade their skills and their quality of life. Visit www.ace-foundation.org to donate or for more information.
- The Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet is open and accepting donations at the North County Government Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, through March 13. Donated coats for adults and children should be new or gently used (in good condition and dry cleaned or laundered). Donations are accepted on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- The Dranesville District Supervisor and Herndon's Council for the Arts are sponsoring a Children's Shoe Drive through December 11, requesting new, closed-toed sneakers, child's sizes 12 through 4, or gift cards for Target or K-Mart in $10 increments. Shoes and gift cards will go to children at Hutchison Elementary School. Donations can be dropped off at the Old Town Hall in Herndon or the McLean Government Center.
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"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."
-- Mother Teresa |
Delegate Plum and Senator Howell to Host Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at Lake Anne
Join Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell at their annual pre-session Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 7:30 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza (near the intersection of Village Road and North Shore Drive). Come with your comments, questions, and concerns about state government issues and the upcoming General Assembly session. Written testimony is appreciated but not required. This event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. |
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Announcements
A new lunchtime shuttle service called Tysons Connector is now circulating throughout the Tysons Corner core business district, providing free rides to those who live, work, shop, dine, or visit there. Tysons connector buses operate at 10-minute intervals between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Two routes - Tysons Connector 1 and 2 - will serve major employers, residential communities, and businesses along the routes, as well as Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria malls. Operated by Fairfax Connector, Tysons Connector will make it easy for Tysons-area employees, residents, and visitors to park their cars and hop on board the shuttle. New bus stop signs will identify the locations where passengers can board along the routes. Since the service is free, passengers don't have to use cash or SmarTrip cards to pay a fare. With a bus coming every 10 minutes, Tysons employees will be able to eat and run errands on their lunch hour without wasting time in traffic or trying to find a parking place. Holiday shoppers can enjoy a reprieve from traffic and parking hassles. To view the Tysons Connector route map and bus stop locaitons and to see an image of the bus stop sign, visit www.fairfaxconnector.com. Increasing foreclosure rates not only negatively impact individuals and families through home loss, related financial devastation, and family disruption, but also have a negative impact on communities. Increasing foreclosure rates depress property values, affect housing industries, reduce local government tax revenues, and have a negative impact on community stability. The Virginia Foreclosure Prevention Task Force has developed a comprehensive website, www.virginiaforeclosureprevention.com, to assist with counseling to homeowners. |
Calendar of Events
Reston's annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held tonight, November 25, 7:30 p.m., at the United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive. The service will include participants from All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), St. John Neumann Church, Shoreshim, Reston Interfaith, United Christian Parish, Delegate Ken Plum, and Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.
Join Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia on Thanksgiving Night, Thursday, November 26, 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., for the 4th Annual Turkey Bash at Uno Chicago Grill, 11948 Market Street, Reston Town Center. Enjoy music, dancing, food, and tons of great prizes while supporting Habitat Northern Virginia. Cost is $5. All proceeds and 20% of sales will be donated to Habitat Northern Virginia.
The 19th Annual Reston Holiday Parade will be held at the Reston Town Center on Friday, November 27, 11:00 a.m., rain or shine. This year's parade theme is "Reston Town Center - Defining. Inspiring. 20 Years." The Reston Holiday Parade launches the holiday season every year with huge macy's-style balloons, floats, musical groups, dancers, antique cars, and more, in a festive procession along Market Street, welcoming the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. It's the perfect family activity for the young and the young at heart. Community groups and businesses of all kinds from around the region are invited to participate and get involved. Neighbors, friends, and families can get creative too by wearing costumes to march along, or by building a float for this one-of-a-kind, one-hour parade. A full day of events is planned including a "Run with Alan Webb" and races for children from toddlers to teens beginning at 7:00 a.m. and the annual Tree Lighting and Sing Along at 6:00 p.m. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout the evening. Visit www.restontowncenter.com/events.html for information about volunteering and events.
The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council will hold a public hearing to solicit comments on environmental issues of concern and the state of the environment in Fairfax County on Monday, November 30, 7:30 p.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center. To be placed on the speakers list, call 703.324.1380, TTY 711.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 1, at the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Central Office Auditorium, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond. The CTB invites your comments about essential rail, transit, transportation demand management, bicycle, pedestrian, and highway projects in the Working Draft of the Revised Fiscal Year 2010-2015 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) scheduled to be approved by the CTB in December. For the second year in a row, the Commonwealth is completing a mid-year revision of the SYIP in response to the latest official revenue estimates that further reduced available transportation funding by nearly $900 million over the next six years. Revising the program will allow VDOT, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and other transportation agencies to plan appropriate spending cuts and project impacts for the next six years. Lists of specific projects and changes from the current program will be available at the public hearing and on VDOT's website at www.VirginiaDOT.org prior to the hearing. Written comments may be submitted via mail or e-mail until December 11, 2009, to: Public Information Office, VA Department of Rail and Public Transportation, 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219; drptpr@drpt.virginia.gov.
The Dulles Corridor Rail Association's Annual Meeting and Reception will be held Wednesday, December 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gannett Company Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, Tysons Corner. The event will honor the progress of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project and the people who are making it happen. For sponsorship information or to RSVP contact dcra@dullescorridorrail.com or 571.296.1552. "Solar Energy Focus Conference: Fall 2009" will be held December 3-5 at the Hilton Hotel, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, Maryland. This event will include an exhibit hall, morning plenary speakers, a state and local policy review, and breakout sessions. For more information, contact Marisa Applestein at marisaapplestein@360jmg.com or Peter Lowenthal at director@mdv-seia.org. Additional information may also be found at www.MDV-SEIA.org.
Shop at the Alternative Gift Market on Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston. Choose from 30 booths of socially conscious gift ideas from local and international charitable organizations. Purchase gifts that can save or change a life as you shop for the holidays and other occasions!
Reston Association's annual Winter Bird Count will be held on Saturday, January 2, 7:00 a.m. to noon. Meet at Nature House, 11450 Glade Drive. Learn tips on identification and have fun while helping to obtain important information about birds wintering throughout Reston's natural areas.
Attend the annual pre-session Public Meeting hosted by Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 7:30 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. All are welcome; pre-registration is not required. |
| Go Green |
 Go Green - consider the environment! Please print this newsletter only if necessary. | |
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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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