|
|
Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia
e-News |
|
|
Delegate Ken Plum presented a House Joint Resolution from the 2011 General Assembly session to Reston Hospital commemorating its 25th anniversary. Accepting the Resolution is Tim McManus, CEO of Reston Hospital. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commentary
Devolution All Over Again
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
In this column I made the assertion a couple of months ago that the Commonwealth of Virginia was shirking its responsibility in funding its share of public school K-12 budgets. I wrote that the state has a responsibility under the constitution to fund 55 percent of the cost of public schools but is providing only 41 percent of the costs. The Richmond Times Dispatch "PolitiFact" checker reviewed the "facts" behind my statement and by changing the word "responsibility" to "requirement" found the statement to be false. Their argument was a technical one that the state needed to fund only 55 percent of Standards of Quality (SOQ) related costs with which it had complied. They ignored my contention that SOQ costs are a small share of public school costs, and the SOQ standards are revised downward as the budget is reduced. All public schools find it necessary to exceed SOQ's in order to successfully operate their schools.
In the most recent issue of Virginia Towns and Cities, the journal of the Virginia Municipal League (VML), the Executive Director of the VML, Mike Amyx, entered the debate between me and the Times Dispatch. Amyx found that "PolitiFact assessment of delegate's K-12 funding statement is flawed." As he wrote, "The point that Del. Plum correctly made is that the state does not recognize what it actually costs to educate students and to meet state accountability standards, such as the Standards of Learning...Prior to the recession the state devoted 35 percent of its general fund budget to public schools. Today, post-recession, the state's general fund support has dropped to below 30 percent... the state's 41 percent share of meeting K-12 education costs is woefully inadequate... if you rate Del. Plum's statement against reality, it is absolutely true"
The devolution of state responsibility for funding an equal share of education costs with localities to the localities having to pick up a greater share of the costs is about to happen in another area of state responsibility if early discussion around the Capitol are to be believed. In a recent meeting of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton observed that cities in the Tidewater and Central Virginia areas maintain their own streets. He raised a question as to whether or not all localities should be required to maintain their streets and secondary roads. Currently, cities and towns and the Counties of Henrico and Arlington receive urban street payments from the Department of Transportation to maintain their streets and highways. Since the Secretary's comments came in the midst of a discussion of what the Governor intends to do to deliver on his promise to provide more monies for transportation, a feeling of concern was felt by those who know how the highway funding system works. If the responsibility for maintaining highways was simply shifted from the state to localities under the current urban street formula of funding, there would be no net gain in revenue for the state. Since the urban formula seems to be more generous than the secondary road system of funding, there could actually be a net loss to the state when the state Department of Transportation is already woefully short of funding.
With devolution as being discussed, localities may pick up a greater responsibility for funding roads but without the funds to meet their costs. Would the state dump the responsibility for maintaining secondary roads on localities without providing the necessary money? The experience with school funding suggests yes. By altering school standards to meet budget dollars, the state claims it meets its obligation but does not provide adequate monies in reality to meet actual costs. Localities get left holding the bag. The same could cleaarly happen with roads. Looks like devolution all over again! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be a Volunteer for Ken's Campaign
Delegate Ken Plum's campaign manager is Allison Dickert, and if you are interested in volunteering for Ken's campaign, please contact her at 571.213.8578 or e-mail kenplum@aol.com. Ken's campaign office is at 11307 Sunset Hills Road, Unit B-3, and is currently staffed part-time. And let us know if you need a yard sign or bumper strip! |
|
Delegate Ken Plum Endorsed
for Re-Election
by Equality Virginia PAC
Delegate Ken Plum has been endorsed for re-election by Equality Virginia PAC. James Parrish, Executive Director of EVPAC, said, "We are grateful for your past support of key issues on our legislative agenda, such as nondiscrimination in the workplace and greater flexibility for employers wishing to offer benefits to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender workers and their families."
Additional Endorsements of Ken's re-election:
- Virginia Education Association
- Fairfax Education Association
- Virginia Chapter - Sierra Club
- Virginia AFL-CIO
- Virginia League of Conservation Voters
- NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia PAC
- Northern Virginia Technology Council's TechPAC
Contact Ken with your questions about these important endorsements and issues of interest to you at kenplum@aol.com. |
|
Announcements
Absentee Voting Information
Deadlines:
* To apply by mail, fax or email for a mailed absentee ballot - Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb for a downloadable absentee ballot application. Applications are also available at county government centers and libraries.
* To vote absentee in-person - ends Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
* All mailed absentee ballots must be received at the Office of Elections by 7:00 pm. on Election Day, November 8 2011, in order to be counted.
* The final day to register to vote in-person is Monday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m. - by mail, postmarked no later than October 17, 2011.
In-Person Absentee Voting is Available at the Office of Elections:
* Location - Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035
* Now through October 21, 2011, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
* NOTE: The Office of Elections will be closed on Monday, October 10, 2011 for Columbus Day.
* Saturdays, October 29 and November 5, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In-Person Absentee Voting will also be available at the North County Governmental Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, October 24 through November 5, Monday through Friday, 2:30 to 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
October 16 is National Plug In Day!
Sunday, October 16, is National Plug In Day, and the Sierra Club's Electric Vehicles Campaign is teaming up with Plug In America and the Electric Auto Association to organize events across the country where people can "kick the tires" on electric vehicles. Have you checked out an electric vehicle yet? They are amazing! They're fun, sporty, and a switch to electric vehicles (EVs) represents one important way we can reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on oil. Go kick the tires yourself on Sunday, October 16, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. at 3rd and 4th Streets, around the corner from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Listen to a variety of EV-Industry speakers, ride in electric cars, and learn about the future of green transportation. A press conference with speakers from the Electric Auto Association, Sierra Club, and SemaConnect is at 1:00 p.m. For more information contact Charlie Garlow at Garlow.Charlie@epamail.epa.gov.
Volunteer Dentists Needed in Northern Virginia
Information sessions for dentists concerning volunteer opportunities at a new dental clinic in Sterling will be held on Wednesday, October 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 29, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. Sponsoring organization is the Northern Virginia Dental Clinic, which operates two state-of-the-art dental clinics and provides oral health care for low-income residents from throughout Northern Virginia. Dentists who volunteer can receive VA tax credits, and liability insurance is provided. The organization is also seeking $200,000 to hire a dentist for two years. An anonymous donor has committed $100,000 in matching funds if the remainder can be raqised. For more information, contact Joan Kasprowicz at joankasprow@yahoo.com or Sue Colyer at scolyer@saintjn.org or 703.860.6149.
SCC's Bureau of Insurance Offers Tips for Insurance Comparison
The State Corporation Commission's (SCC) Bureau of Insurance encourages Virginians to check their auto insurance policies annually to make sure they have the coverage they need at the best price. The Bureau's website at www.scc.virginia/gov/division/boi and the consumer section of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website at insureUonline.org contain information on auto insurance. The Bureau's "Auto Insurance Consumer's Guide" and corresponding premium comparison pamphlet in English and Spanish are available on the Bureau's website. This guide is designed to help consumers understand their insurance coverage, how to shop for it, and what to do if a problem arises. You can also check the Bureau's website to see if an insurance company is licensed to do business. The Property & Casualty Consumer Services Section staff can provide you with copies of guides, assist you with any questions you have on auto insurance, and provide guidance on how to shop for auto insurance. The Bureau's Consumer Services Section can be reached at 804.371.9185 or toll-free at 877.310.6560.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Thanks to improvements in treatment and early detection, millions of women are surviving breast cancer today. Be sure to have regular medical checkups, and talk with your deoctor about getting the appropriate screenings.
Medicare Open Season: Find Out What You Need to Know
Prepare now for Medicare Open Season (the annual election period). This year, open season begins October 15 and ends December 7. Howard Houghton, director of Fairfax County's Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), will conduct presentations on what you need to know about the 2012 Medicare health and drug plans. The sessions will be held at the following locations in our area, and space is limited, so registration is required:
* Thursday, October 20, 3:00 p.m., Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Register by calling 703.390.6157 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
* Thursday, October 27, 10:00 a.m., Shepherd's Center of Oakton/Vienna, Oakton Unitarian Church, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Register by calling 703.281.0538 or email Office@scov.org.
* Friday, November 4, 1:00 p.m., Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace Street, Herndon. Register by calling 703.464.6200 or email ruth.junkin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
For more information about VICAP and Medicare's 2011 Open Season, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices and select health insurance counseling/VICAP.
|
Calendar of Events
Attend AARP's 2-day driver safety classes on Thursday and Friday, October 13 and 14, 9:00 am. to 2:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Cost is $12 with an AARP membership card, $14/nonmembers. Checks made payable to AARP. Call 703.476.4500 to register.
The 10th Annual Reston Home Tour will be held on Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year's Home Tour theme, "Finding the Upside of Down," summarizes how various changes have brought positive results to each home and the owners' lifestyles - downsizing, downturns, downstairs, and more. Enjoy your self-conducted tour of six outstanding private homes throughout Reston and a visit to the historic Delong Bowman House. For tickets and more information, go to www.restonmuseum.org.
Learn all about Neighborhood Watch at a conference on Saturday, October 15, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. You will learn how to start a Neighborhood Watch, tips on home security and safety, keeping a Neighborhood Watch active, and how to recruit volunteers in your community. This event is sponsored by the Fairfax County Police Department and the Reston Association and is free.
The Governor's Conference on Energy will be held October 17-19 at the Richmond Convention Center. The event will be hosted by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and co-hosted by Virginia Alternative & Renewable Energy Association and the Virginia Sustainable Building Network. Private and public sector leaders will join together with entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers to talk about what it will take to develop ALL of our domestic energy resources and meet our nation's demand for abundant, reliable, and affordable energy for our future. Find out how to sponsor, exhibit, or attend at www.vachamber.com.
The Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Fairfax County Office to Prevent & End Homelessness to put on "Jeans Day 2011: Putting the ZIP on Homelessness." Allow your employees to wear jeans to work on Friday, October 21 in exchange for a $5 employee contribution to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent & End Homelessness. This is a great way to engage your employees in community give-back and enable your company to make a meaningful contribution to ending homelessness in our community. Companies are encouraged to match employee contributions, but a match is not required. Contact Chamber Communications Director Erin Munley at emunley@fairfaxchamber.org to register your company, promote Jeans Day to your employees, get your company name in all promotional materials and media outreach, and other information to facilitate this fantastic event!
Join Joe Stowers for a 3-mile walk and an update on Reston's signed trails between Lake Anne and Reston Town Center on Saturday, October 22, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Meet at Reston Museum, 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston. Contact 703.709.7700 or restonmuseum@gmail.com for more information. All are welcome.
The 8th Annual Help the Homeless Community Walk at Festival on the Square at Reston Heights (the Sheraton & Weston Hotels) will be held on Sunday, October 23. Registration starts at 12:00 noon, and the Walk will begin at 1:30 p.m. After the Walk enjoy live music, entertainment, and children's activities. Registration fee is $20 for youth (25 & under) and $30 for adults. The Annual Help the Homeless Community Walk is sponsored by Reston Interfaith.
The Secretary of Transportation and the Commonwealth Transportation Board will conduct nine public meetings across the state to give the public an opportunity to review and provide comments on projects and programs to be included in the Fiscal Year 2013-2018 Six-Year Improvement Program, including highway, rail, and public transportation initiatives. These meetings will consist of an open house format from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. where attendees can review materials produced by agency staff and discuss specific projects or issues. Following the open house, an opportunity wil be provided for comments from the public. The Northern Virginia meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 25, at the Virginia Department of Transportation's Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax. If you cannot attend, you may send your comments to Diane Mitchell at Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 or e-mail them to
The Halloween House & Trick-or-Treat Trail will be held at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, rain or shine. Tickets are $10 per person ($1.54 service fee per ticket will be applied to online sales at www.reston.org). You may also purchase tickets at the Walker Nature Education Center's Nature House. Choose from one of four event times:
The Seventh Annual Fairfax County History Conference will be held on Saturday, November 12 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. This year's conference is "The Civil War Comes to Fairfax County!" and will feature archaeologist Stephen Potter of the National Park Service, Rich Gillespie of the Mosby Heritage Area Association, David Blake with the Buckland Preservation Society, Susan Hellman of Woodlawn, Civil War Historian Art Candenquist, and Gar Schulin of the Virginia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans. Admission is $20 per person and includes continental breakfast and lunch; advance registration required. Contact Lynn Garvey-Hodge for information about registration or exhibiting at 703.322.1811 or lynnegarveyhodge@verizon.net.
The 21st Annual Reston Holiday Parade will be held on Friday, November 25, 11:00 a.m. Ringing in the 2011 season with a theme of "Fairy Tales," the 1-hour Reston Holiday Parade features huge, Macy's-style balloons, floats, marching bands and hundreds of participants welcoming the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. This community tradition is part of a full day of fun including ice skating in the Pavilion. Don't miss the Tree Lighting and Sing-Along at 6:00 p.m.
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
