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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia
e-News
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Ken presented a resolution to the Rules Committee last week that asks the Dept. of Housing and Community Development and the Dept. of Rehabilitative Services to study how we can create more accessible routes into public and private buildings for persons with disabilities. The resolution has since passed the House and awaits deliberation in the Senate.
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Ken met with Bill Fuller and his service dog, Canada. Fuller, a member of the Virginia Disability Commission, supported and testified for Ken's legislation on behalf of the disability community. |
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Commentary
Tough Choices
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
A legislative session is filled with tough choices. Allocating scarce resources in the budget presents difficult choices that have been discussed many times in this column. This legislative session has been presented the choice by the Governor of taking money from the general fund that supports public schools, police, and mental health programs and others and using it to support building highways. We need traffic congestion relief for sure, but I trust that it will not be at the expense of the schools that have already seen their budgets reduced with the recession.
Policy issues present tough choices as well. Health care advocates who are concerned about the obesity epidemic among children lobbied for mandatory physical education classes in the schools. School officials who are already mandated to raise reading and math scores, provide an introduction to science, technology, and engineering, and as of this legislative session teach financial literacy raised a question as to when the additional physical education would be offered and with a declining budget who would teach it. On financial education at the high school level, banks and financial institutions lobbied for an additional, mandatory course in financial literacy. Obviously, more people need to better know how to handle their finances. But for families with children who are in art and music and advanced placement classes there is little or no time left in the schedule.
The Governor had a Commission on Governmental Reform that sought to eliminate nearly 20 small boards and commissions. These were small groups that had specialties that advised government agencies for free. The Governor will say he reduced the size of government. What he is eliminating are people who served the Commonwealth for free and provided expertise that is not present in state staff. Government gets a little smaller but is a lot less inclusive of people that probably increase the relevance and effectiveness of government.
Parents seeking support for their children who have autism had the choice of endorsing a bill that is very narrow in the number of children it serves with the hopes of building on it in the future or suffering defeat at the hands of the insurance lobby for about the tenth year. They went for the limited bill that hopefully can be expanded in the future.
Many choices in the legislative process are not black or white, right or wrong. There are many shades of gray and many interpretations of the same set of facts. There are many tough choices; that is what makes the job of a legislator both interesting and challenging.
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"Virginia Report" on Reston Comcast Channel 28 
This month on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday nights at 10:30 p.m. - "Report from Richmond" with Delegate Ken Plum.
Tune in to Reston Comcast Channel 28 to see Ken talk about session highlights from the General Assembly Building. View "Virginia Report" online via video streaming using the following link: www.rctv28.com/shows/studio/community/virginiareport.html
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From Capitol Square - Session 2011
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Ken spoke to a group of INOVA Health System nurses last week as they visited the Capitol complex. |
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Ken spoke with a group representing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on their advocacy day in Richmond. |
Stop by my office in the General Assembly Building if you are in Richmond between now and February 26. If you know you will be in town in advance, call 703.758.9733 and speak to my legislative assistant, Barbara Shearer, about the best time to drop by or to make an appointment. I look forward to seeing you and your family in Richmond!
It is my honor and privilege to represent you in the Virginia House of Delegates.
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Announcements
Nominate a Super Teacher for the Virginia Lottery Super Teacher Awards. All full-time, fully licensed K-12 public school educators in Virginia are eligible to be nominated. To nominate a teacher online, visit valottery.com/teacher and follow the instructions. Nominations must be posted online by February 14, 2011. Eight winners will receive a $2,000 prize and $2,000 classroom supply credit. One winner will receive a Royal Caribbean International cruise.
Whether you rent or own, keeping your home and its contents safe is a priority. This includes having the right amount of insurance coverage. Virginia State Corporation Commission's (SCC) Bureau of Insurance encourages Virginia homeowners and renters to review their insurance policies annually to make sure they have the coverage they need. A homeowner's insurance policy covers the structure and contents of your home and legal obligations if someone is injured on your premises. A renter's policy does not insure the structure, but otherwise provides similar coverage. Tips when reviewing your policy:
* Determine the right amount of coverage for your needs. make a room-by-room inventory of your personal property.
* Know the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost.
* Weigh the cost benefit of opting for higher deductibles. Deductibles are the out-of-pocket costs you agree to pay to repair damage to your home or its contents before you are entitled to collect from your insurance company on each property damage claim you make.
* Ask about discounts such as multi-policy discounts or discounts for alarm systems.
* Review your policy's liability and medical payment limits. Liability insurance protects you from legal obligations if someone is hurt while visiting your home.
* Consider any special items in your home like art, jewelry, memorabilia, or collections (such as stamps or coins) that may require special coverage.
* If you operate a small business out of your home, you may need additional coverage.
* Determine what types of losses (such as flood) may not be covered by your standard policy and ask about available options.
* Consider whether an umbrella policy would suit your needs. Such a policy provides excess liability limits and possibly other additional coverage.
* Select insurance agents and carriers with care. Deal only with insurance agents and companies that are licensed by the Bureau of Insurance to sell insurance in Virginia.
* Shop around. Not every company charges the same rate.
* Remember: an insurance policy is a legal document. Read it carefully. Also read all notices and information sent from the insurance company.
Visit the Bureau's website at www.scc.virginia.gov/boi for more information.
Join or start a new carpool and be on your way to claiming "Pool Rewards." Commute at least 2 days a week to cash in. Commuters who currently drive alone to work may be eligible for financial rewards when they agree to start or join a new carpool. If you currently drive alone to work anywhere in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Statistical Area you can sign up to carpool at least 2 days per week, and you might quality for Pool Rewards. To apply for Pool Rewards, go to www.commuterconnections.org. This offer is valid to a limited number of commuters, and registration is required. Some rules and restrictions apply.
If you live or work in Reston and have children, now is the time to register them for Reston Association's summer camps. You can register online at www.reston.org and click on "camps" or you can register in person at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Act now -- camps fill up fast.
Commemorative bricks at Lake Anne Plaza are available until Wednesday, March 2, for installation in April. Buy an engraved commemorative brick to be installed in historic Lake Anne Plaza. This is the perfect way to celebrate and recognize family, friends, and organizations. Brick purchases are also available online at www.restonmuseum.org. Cost is $100 for a standard-sized, three-line brick; $250 for a large, six-line brick. Call 703.709.7700 with questions or email restonmuseum@gmail.com. |
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Calendar of Events
Get your sweetheart's gift beautifully wrapped while helping local kids. Valentine's gift wrapping at Appalachian Spring will be held on Friday, February 11, Noon to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Monday, February 14, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Presented by and benefiting Kids R First, a non-profit organization helping 13,000 kids in need prepare for their future.
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride at Reston Town Center on February 12, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., rain or shine. Pick-up location will be in front of Talbots on Market Street. $5 per person; children under 5 ride free with an adult. All proceeds benefit a local non-profit organizaiton. Go on a "Watershed Walk" and see the progress on the stream restoration work in the Colvin Run Watershed on Saturday, February 12, at 1:30 p.m. Carpool from Reston Museum to the Uplands Tennis Court parking lot at 11302 Ring Road to begin the walk, heading toward the Buttermilk Creek Nature Trail. All are welcome. Engaged couples can register to win A Fantasy Wedding at participating Reston Town Center stores through February 12 with the drawing to be held on February 13 at 2:00 p.m. in front of the Reston Town Center Pavilion. The winning couple will be married in the Pavilion on Saturday, May 28, 11:30 a.m. Featured retailers include Edibles Incredible, Il Fornaio, Market Cellars, Midtown Jewelers, Potomac River Running, Talbots, and Williams-Sonoma. Visit facebook.com/afantasywedding2011. Reston Environmental Action (REACT) will meet at Kalypso's at Lake Anne on Saturday, February 19, 5:00 p.m. for a happy hour with fine conversation with fellow REACT members. All are welcome to get to know members and find out more about REACT's ongoing environmental projects in the community. Celebrate Black History Month at the Reston Museum on Saturday, February 19, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Speakers will share their Civil Rights experiences and Squire Muse will lead a sing-along of Freedom Songs. View Reston Community Center's 2002 Color Line Project interviews of Restonians. Email RestonMuseum@gmail.com with questions. Take a Waterfowl and Raptors Tour around Reston's lakes on Sunday, February 20, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet at the Lake Audubon Boat ramp at 2070 Twin Branches Road. Participants are invited to gather at the South Lakes Shopping Center Starbucks later in the morning to warm up and then check for birds on Lake Thoreau. If the birding is especially good, you may caravan or carpool to other Reston sites. Free; no reservations required. Beginning and expert birders are all welcome. This walk is jointly sponsored by Reston Association and its Environmental Advisory Committee, the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and The Bird Feeder store. INOVA will hold a Blood Drive on Tuesday, February 22, Noon to 7:30 p.m., beside the Pavilion at Reston Town Center. Schedule your appointment at 1.866.256.6372 or inova.org/donateblood. You can also register onsite. Senior Movie Day, "Meet Me at the Movies," will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 10:00 a.m., at the Rave Cinema at Reston Town Center. Reston Association will present a feature film; refreshments and door prizes provided prior to the movie. This event is free to those 55+. Call 703.435.6530 for more information.
The Fairfax Department of Transportation brings its "How to Ride the Bus" program to the Reston Museum on Saturday, March 19, at 1:30 p.m. at the Reston Museum. Board a special training bus to learn first-hand how the system works. Hear stories from riders and "busmeisters" of earlier commuter days and internal bus systems in Reston. All are welcome to attend. Save the date -- Celebrate Founder's Day on Saturday, April 9, with a day of activities to celebrate Reston's 47th and Robert E. Simon, Jr.'s 97th birthdays! More information to come. |
| 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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