Protecting the Health of Women

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Virginia is in the process of adopting 26 pages of new regulations for health clinics that perform first-term abortions.  The General Assembly in a bill that I voted against mandated the regulations be issued without public comment as emergency regulations to become effective January 1, 2012.  Currently the 22 clinics that are now regulated as out-patient centers will under the new Health Department rules be regulated as hospitals.  The necessity of the emergency regulations according to the proponents is to protect the health of women.  Proponents include the Family Foundation and the Catholic Church, both of whom oppose any abortions.  No evidence of the harm that has come to women who used the clinics in the past was offered.  Opponents say the regulations are likely to close all the clinics in Virginia because none will be able to afford to meet the hospital standards which they say is the real intent of the regulations.  Opponents include Planned Parenthood and NARAL.

Ironically the individuals who are supporting the regulation of health clinics are for the most part opponents of government regulations.  They are advocates of less government.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its wide ranging authority to issue regulations for clean air and water and environmental protection is often the subject of their wrath.  At the same time that regulations to ensure that your water is safe to drink and that air pollution be cleaned up are being challenged as being anti-business and government intrusion, stiff regulations to protect women from unspecified health damages while reducing their access to a legal medical procedure are being advanced.

Governor McDonnell who signed the bill requiring the regulations will review them before they become effective, but he is not expected to change them in any way to reduce their impact.  Emergency regulations are effective for one year while new regulations are written.  Given the appointees by Governor McDonnell to the State Board of Health, the more permanent regulations are not likely to be less stringent.  Adoption of permanent regulations will provide a required opportunity for public comment.  The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on whether this expansion of the regulatory authority of big, anti-business government is necessary to protect the health of women, or will the regulations result as many fear in more women's health being put in jeopardy as they face the most difficult personal decision they will ever have to make. 

for Re-Election

by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters

 
Delegate Ken Plum has been endorsed for re-election by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters (VLCV). 

Lisa Guthrie, VLCV's Executive Director, said, "We appreciate your commitment to protecting Virginia's environment and preserving its history and we look forward to working closely with you when you win your race in House District 36."

Ken was honored as one of VLCV's "Legislative Heroes" for the rating of 100% he received on the organization's 2011 Conservaton Scorecard following the General Assembly session.

Contact Ken with your questions about this important endorsement and environmental or conservation issues of interest to you at kenplum@aol.com.

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Other endorsements of Ken's re-election:

• Virginia Education Association
• Fairfax Education Association
• Virginia Chapter - Sierra Club
• Virginia AFL-CIO

Delegate Plum received the following and a request that it be published here in Virginia e-News:

On behalf of the 21 local faith communities represented on the "Works Sunday" Committee, we would like to publicly convey our deep and sincere appreciation to the caring residents of Reston and Herndon for their extraordinarily generous support of our activities this year.  To them, we can truly say, "Your response was both heartwarming and overwhelming."

Over 200 volunteers stepped forward to reach out to the hungry, the homeless, the hurting, and those with disabilities in our communities through one or more of the 18 charitable projects on the "Works Sunday" program for 2011.  Countless others participated by donating record amounts of desperately-needed food and personal items to our collections for Reston Interfaith and those whom it serves.  

To all of these good people - and to the many local merchants who made it possible for us to "connect" with them via public events at their stores - the "Works Sunday" Committee for 2011 wishes to extend its most sincere and heartfelt thanks for making all of the activities so successful.  We hope that you will continue to assist the needy among us by prayer and deed during the coming year, and that we will have the privilege and pleasure of seeing each of you again on "Works Sunday 2012!"

Wishing God's blessings upon all,

The "Works Sunday 2011" Steering Committee

Jacqueline Bolware, Heritage Fellowship Church

Angela Harpalani, Heritage Fellowship Church

Christopher Wist, St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church

Setting Up Your Rain Barrel is Easy

Watch this video from Fairfax County about why rain barrels are important (save money during garden- and lawn-watering season, save the Bay from nutrient runoff, etc.) and how to set up your own rain barrel: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IeX2uqaxmw.  The video also contains information about County-sponsored workshops that will teach you how to make and install your rain barrel.

As Simple as Using a Tape Dispenser

At home we often reach for a plastic, disposable tape dispenser rather than a refillable dispenser like the one at the office.  The refillable dispenser has its advantages:  you can use it with one hand, and you won't have a plastic dispenser to throw into the trash/landfill when it is empty.  Buying a refillable tape dispenser for your home is, admittedly, a small step toward saving the planet, but it is one of many small transitions we can make that add up and make a difference.

Many thanks to Reston Environmental Action (REACT) for the rain barrel and tape dispenser tips.