Delegate Ken Plum's e-News, January 20, 2010

Legislating in Troubled Times
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

        Thomas Jefferson referred to the orderly transfer of power in government as a "bloodless revolution." Such a revolution occurred in Mr. Jefferson's Virginia last week as Democratic Governor Timothy M. Kaine ended his Constitutionally-limited one term, and former delegate and Attorney General Robert McDonnell took the oath of office as Governor last Saturday. Overshadowing the personality and philosophical differences in the two men are the troubled times during which the transfer of power occurred. Virginia's statewide economic indicators are at the worst levels since the Great Depression. There is little solace in realizing that some regions of the Commonwealth are doing better than others and that Virginia is doing better than most states. The state legislature must be concerned about the state as a whole.

        As chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Delegates I have pledged with my Democratic colleagues in leadership in the House and Senate to give priority without partisan consideration to programs and services that will restore our economy and put Virginians back to work, strengthen the public's trust in government, move people and goods, and protect our most valuable and vulnerable citizens. I have introduced a budget amendment to require that ten percent of any monies withdrawn from the Rainy Day Fund be used in the Governor's Economic Development fund to attract and maintain businesses in the state.

        Numerous bills have been introduced including a couple from me to help restore confidence in government by expanding the requirements of disclosure of economic interests in bills and strengthening our ethics laws. In response to the pressing need to relieve traffic congestion I have introduced a resolution that would establish a Transportation Commission much like the one that did outstanding work in the mid-1980s in identifying the extent of need for transportation funding and in making recommendations that were enacted for funding transportation. Unfortunately, the work of that Commission has not been updated.

        Protecting education, mental health, and other human services will be difficult with the sizable reduction in the budget that must be made, but we must ensure that groups that are small in number or limited voting power are not unfairly treated.

        I will be working hard to ensure that the quality of life of Virginians takes precedence over partisan gain. In fact, the best way to be politically successful is to be effective in governing. Few years have been more challenging in which to legislate than this one.

        My legislative survey is still available on my website, www.kenplum.com. Please let me know your views on issues by calling my office at 703.758.9733 or email kenplum@aol.com.