|
|
|
Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
| |
|
|
Delegate Ken Plum met with a group of Northern Virginia Podiatrists in his General Assembly office last Thursday.
February 10, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Commentary
Assembly Scrambles on Issues
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
The General Assembly has settled into its routine of committee meetings, floor debates, and passage of bills that will be exchanged with the other house for consideration before being sent to the Governor for signing into law. With the major challenges facing the Commonwealth, the actions of the General Assembly to date can sometimes surprise, frequently amuse, and often raise concern.
The Senate has weighed in on the health care debate, and the House of Delegates is likely to follow suit. Foreseeing a threat from the federal government, the Senate passed a bill that says Virginians will not have to take part in any mandatory health insurance plan. Invoking the same states' rights arguments that have been made by the state from the theory of interposition to Massive Resistance the bill will not pass a court test. It may be nice to have individuals opt out of health insurance, but there is a strong likelihood that taxpayers will end up paying for these people through Medicaid.
To keep our neighborhoods safe, the House of Delegates added two additional categories to the capital offense statute: one for murdering an emergency medical services person and the other for being an accomplice to a murder. I continue to vote against these measures for they have never been shown to be a deterrent to crime. In past years these bills have died in the Senate or have been vetoed by the Governor.
Education is always a high priority, and at a time when state assistance to localities is being reduced, the House of Delegates passed a bill requiring 65 percent of the schools' budgets be spent on instruction. I voted against the bill as being meaningless since the average school district in Virginia already spends 64.5 percent on instruction. The percentage for a given school district is more dependent on the number of buses in its fleet than on what happens in the classroom. If we want more money spent in the classroom we should increase our appropriation.
The House of Delegates responded to the transportation challenges facing the Commonwealth by raising the speed limit on rural Interstate highways to 70 miles per hour. And Governor McDonnell is in the process of reopening the rest stops on the Interstates. Sorry, but it does not appear that we will have funds to fill the potholes that come after the winter storms.
For consumer protection, the House passed a bill that says a car can have up to $5000 in water damages before the consumer must be advised. The insurance companies may like it, but it is a horrible bill for consumers. I voted against the bill and hope that the Senate will reject it.
Follow the action on these and other bills by going to http://legis.virginia.gov. |
|
|
|
|
|
"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday nights at 10:30 p.m. - "Report from Richmond" with Delegate Ken Plum at the General Assembly Building
Online Viewing
|
From the Capitol
Meet Katherine James, Legislative Intern and VCU Student
Katherine James, sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University and a native of Winchester, is working as an intern in Delegate Plum's Richmond office during the General Assembly session. Katherine is pursuing a double major in political science and homeland security and emergency preparedness at VCU. In addition to participating in the Capital Semester internship program in Delegate Plum's office on Mondays and Wednesdays, she is also attending classes on campus this semester. Katherine enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee during good weather, spending time with friends, reading, and thrift shopping.
"I have gotten so much more out of this experience than I expected," said Katherine. "It really shows that Delegate Plum is a retired educator because he always makes an effort to ensure that I am learning. I have gotten to see nearly every element of this process first-hand, and Delegate Plum always makes sure that I understand what I am seeing and what it means in the legislative process."
When you stop by Delegate Plum's office this legislative session, be sure and introduce yourself to Katherine. |
Climate Change Citizen Action
Earth Hour 2010, a bold statement of collective concern for our planet, will be held on March 27 at 8:30 p.m. Millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour -- Earth Hour -- at 8:30 p.m. local time. Led by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is the largest event of its kind in the world. In 2009, nearly one billion people from 4,100 cities in 87 countries paraticipated, as well as international landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower and Great Pyramids, and the city skylines of Las Vegas, Hong Kong, and Tel Aviv. Join in this collective concern for our planet by turning off your lights for one hour on March 27 at 8:30 p.m. |
|
Announcements
IRS Free File Tax Program
The IRS Free File Tax Program offers 98 million Americans a fast, free, and safe way to file their federal taxes online. All taxpayers making less than $57,000 can visit www.IRS.gov and use the industry's top tax preparation software -- and it's free. Users get the step-by-step help they need to prepare, complete, and file federal tax returns online, at no cost. The program is made possible through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a group of industry-leading tax software providers. Since 2003, the Free File program has delivered free tax services to more than 25 million people.
Virginia's Regulatory Process
A Regulation is a law adopted by a state government agency. Virginia Register of Regulations is Virginia's official publication of state regulations, published every two weeks. Virginia Administrative Code is a compilation of permanent regulations. Learn more about the regulatory process, see current emergency regulations, sign up to receive notification of when the Virginia Register of Regulations is published via an RSS feed, and view the Virginia Register online at http://register.dls.virginia.gov. Visit http://regulations.legis.virginia.gov for the Virginia Administrative Code, updated daily.
Sign Up for Northern Virginia Senior Softball
Northern Virginia Senior Softball (NVSS) is looking for men and women (the average age is 66) who want to enjoy fun, fitness, and fellowship. NVSS plays two 7-inning slow-pitch softwall games on Fairfax County fields, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, mid-April to mid-August. A 7-week indoor conditioning program begins February 16. The season begins April 13. After Labor Day, Fall Ball, a 30-game September-October season, begins. If you liked softball as a kid, find out how much fun slow-pitch softball is as a senior. Call Dave at 703.524.5576 or Paul at 703.323.7878 to get the ball rolling.
2010 Census Jobs
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time and full-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work related expenses such as mileage incurred while conducting census work. Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities. Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community. Apply now at 1.866.861.2010.
Volunteer Tutors Needed
More than 150 new volunteer tutors are needed to help area adults learn to speak, understand, read, and write English. The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia will hold tutor training workshops to prepare volunteer tutors to provide individualized instruction to adult students. Each tutor is trained, matched with a student, and encouraged to meet weekly for an hour and a half to help the student improve his or her English skills. No teaching or foreign language skills are required. A $40 training fee covers the cost of books, materials, and instruction. All tutor training workshops take place at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. Actual tutoring will take place in a library or community center in the tutor's neighborhood. Students and tutors are matched based on geographic proximity to make the weekly sessions as convenient as possible. The next Tutor Training workshop will be held on three consecutive Saturdays, February 20, February 27, and March 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information email volunteers@lcnv.org or call 703.237.0866.
National Walk for Epilepsy
Join "Team EFVA" (Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia) in the Third Annual National Walk for Epilepsy on Saturday, March 27, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Register as a walker on Team EFVA or form your own team. If you cannot participate, sign up as a virtual walker or sponsor someone on Team EFVA. Visit www.walkforepilepsy.org for more information or contact Team EFVA Captain Deborah Lannen at jdlannen@verizon.net or 703.328.7582.
For information about events, sales, promotions, and night life at the Reston Town Center, visit one of these sites:
|
Calendar of Events
Treat your special Valentine to a horse-drawn carriage ride around Reston Town Center on Saturday, February 13, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., rain or shine. Pick-up location is in front of Talbots on Market Street. Cost is $5 per person; children under 5 ride free with an adult. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life.
"Think Pink - Figure Skaters for the Cure" is coming to the Ice Skating Pavilion at Reston Town Center on February 14, 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. See figure skating performances by local competitive skaters to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation. Donations accepted at www.info-komen.org/goto/ThinkPinkIceShow.
Join the Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) and Hunters Woods Elementary School PTA for some great, family-friendly fun on Monday, February 15, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., ice skating at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Admission is $10 and includes the skates rental fee. Proceeds from admission, hot chocolate, and cookie sales will benefit IPAR's first public art project -- the creation of a permanent Reston underpass art work involving an artist-in-residence who will engage students from Hunters Woods Elementary School, a Fairfax County magnet school for the arts and sciences. This first Public Art Project is launched by IPAR in collaboration with project co-sponsors, Reston Community Center and Reston Association. For more information about the fund-raising skate and IPAR, call 703.467.9797, email info@publicartreston.org, or visit www.publicartreston.org.
The Fairfax County Human Rights Commission is accepting nominations for its 32nd Annual Human Rights Awards. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 26. The awards recognize individuals, nonprofits, and businesses that advanced human rights in Fairfax County last year. To get a nomination form, call 703.324.2953. Nominations may be submitted to e-mail to wyvetta.hill@fairfaxcounty.gov, by fax to 703.324.3570, or by mail to the Human Rights Commission, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 318, Fairfax, VA 22035-0093.
Remember great African American jazz musicians during Black History Month with an evening of great music at the Reston Museum & Shop on Saturday, February 27, 7:00 p.m. with special guests Beverly Cosham and Dingwall Fleary.
The next Electric Sunday Recycling Event will be held on February 28, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax.
The deadline for purchasing a Commemorative Brick to be installed in Reston's "Walk of Fame" is February 28. The bricks will be installed at the foot of the Bronze Bob statue at Lake Ann Village Center and will be dedicated on Founder's Day, Saturday, April 10. Orders must be received by Sunday, February 28, to be included for the 2010 installation. Order online at www.restonmuseum.org or in person at the Reston Museum, or call 703.709.7700.
"Generation Next: Reston Leadership Development" will be hosted and sponsored by the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods on Thursday, March 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. All are welcome to come to the RCC Community Room to share in an active dialog session on getting involved in leading our community. Those wishing to continue Reston's values in the work of civic and community organizations are urged to attend. Current and future leaders representing Arts, Culture, Education, Government, Human Services, Sports, and more will discuss concepts, leadership development, and getting involved. Refreshments will be provided by some of Reston's favorite eateries. RSVP to RCCContact@fairfaxcounty.gov. This event is free!
The Reston Community Orchestra will present "Spring Inflorescence - Ebony Vibrations" at a concert on Sunday, March 28, at 4:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods. Music by Chopin, Rubenstein, Debussy, and Crusell will be featured.
The 21st Annual Environment Virginia symposium will take place April 7 and 8 in Lexington, Virginia. The theme of this year's symposium is "Optimizing Stewardship in a Challenging Environment." Join over 500 environmental decision-makers from all sectors and from across the Commonwealth to learn the latest about environmental challenges and solutions and to build partnerships to implement solutions to these challenges. For detailed information and registration, visit www.vmi.edu/environmentva.
Mark your calendars for Reston's Founder's Day on Saturday, April 10, in honor of the 96th birthday of Reston founder Robert E. Simon, Jr., presented by Reston Historic Trust, Reston Museum. This celebration will be held on the Plaza at Lake Anne. Call 703.709.7700 for more details.
The Alice Ferguson Foundaiton will again host this year's Potomac River Watershed Cleanup on Saturday, April 10, 9:00 a.m. until noon. Cleanup sites will be listed on their website, www.PotomacCleanup.org, starting in March so you can pick your perfect location. Contact Ginny Harris Crake at gharris@fergusonfoundation.org for more information.
Save the date - Saturday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. - for the Reston Community Orchestra's annual benefit gala, "Puttin' on the Ritz." Visit www.restoncommunityorchestra.org for more information.
GRACE's 19th Annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival will be held May 15 and 16 at the Reston Town Center. Watch this section for more information about this year's Festival.
|
| Go Green |
 Go Green - consider the environment! Please print this newsletter only if necessary. | |
|
|
|
| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
|
|
|
|
