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Commentary
Virginia's Unsupervised Tax Giveaways
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
I am more than a little puzzled as to why a report issued by the highly respected Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) staff last month did not make front page news throughout the Commonwealth. In its "Review of the Effectiveness of Virginia Tax Preferences," the independent, nonpartisan JLARC staff wrote that a "minority of public or tax policy preferences are subject to formal evaluation or reporting." Of the 187 total categories of total tax preferences, or credits, examined for tax year 2008, the last year for which complete data are available, 131 different tax credits worth $11.3 billion have "no formal oversight." Of the remaining number worth $1.2 billion, 36 are subject to reporting only and 20 are subject to reporting and evaluation. The number evaluated on effectiveness in meeting policy goals: zero! (http://jlarc.state.va.us)
The sheer volume of tax credits available in Virginia is itself astounding. They represented about $12.5 billion in reduced taxpayer's liability in 2008 which is nearly 90 percent of the $14.3 billion of the state revenue collected from the tax systems reviewed. One organization that describes itself as "a broad-based coalition of business people, local elected officials, and nonprofit advocates and community leaders representing over 39 organizations from across the state" described the study as "detailing many of the myriad of often costly, inefficient, and ineffective loopholes, credits and breaks littered throughout the Virginia tax code." (www.betterchoicesva.org)
The subject of tax preferences is particularly relevant at this time with the state facing a shortfall of about a billion dollars in revenue for the coming biennium. Federal stimulus monies that have made major contributions to balancing the state's budget for the past couple of years are no longer available. The more than $600 million borrowed from the employees' retirement fund must be paid back. Easy cuts to reducing the state's budget were made years ago, and the already-made reduction of $7 billion has cut into the muscle and bone of state programs and services. In addition to simply making more spending reductions, should the state examine its tax code to see if the numerous "tax loopholes, credits and breaks" be examined for their appropriateness and effectiveness? Sounds like the same debate that is going on at the federal level.
One thing the JLARC reports tell us is that Virginia, the best managed state in the union, has little information on tax preferences, "including which ones should be continued because they are effective, and which ones could be revised to improve their effectiveness or eliminated altogether." Agencies and organizations receiving state monies are held to strict accountability standards. Should we expect anything less from those getting a tax break?
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"Virginia Report" Returns December 13
Tune in to Reston Comcast Channel 28 for a 30-minute weekly television program hosted by Delegate Ken Plum. Ken covers topics of interest to us all as he interviews people from our own community, Fairfax County, and around the Commonwealth to talk about important issues of the day. Not a Comcast viewer? Visit www.rctv28.com/VirginiaReport.html and watch Ken's "Virginia Report" on your computer or iPad. Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 14 at 10:30 p.m. - Commissioner Richard Holcomb, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - "Your DMV - Changing With the Times" Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 21 at 10:30 p.m. - Buckley Anne Kuhn Fricker of Reston, Certified Care Manager with legal background in elder law - "Buckley's for Seniors" |
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 Announcements MLK Community Service Awards The 27th Annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Planning Committee is accepting nominations for the 2011 Community Service Awards to be presented on Monday, January 16, 2012. Award nominations are due Friday, December 9. In keeping with the theme "Are We Keeping the Promise?" the celebration will present three awards to recognize members of our community for their significant efforts in the past year that have upheld the legacy of Dr. King and improved the lives of others. The three award categories are: Youth; Adult (older than 21); and a Greater Reston Business or Organization. To make a Community Service Award nomination or learn more about the 27th Annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration visit www.redstoncommunitycenter.com. A Great Way to Give Back: Donate to Your Local Food Bank As the holidays and winter approach, our thoughts turn to our families and friends - and to those in need throughout our community. As area food bank supplies decrease, the demand for services is rising during this time of year. Help those in need by donating to your local food bank. Please donate non-perishable items that are in unopened containers. Items are always needed an welcome at Reston Interfaith, 11484 Washington Plaza #120, Reston. Or find other pantries at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rim/classificationservice.asp? Winter Coat Closet Open Supervisor Cathy Hudgins is again sponsoring a Winter Coat Closet to provided children and adults with warm winter coats. Your donations of gently used or new coats will be greatly appreciated. Last year, with the assistance of Reston Interfaith, the Supervisor's office distributed over 5,500 coats to individuals and families. The Coat Closet will be open to receive your donations and to select a winter coat on Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon; Thursday 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.; and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through March 10. The Coat Closet is located at the North County Governmental Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. For additional informaiton, please contact the Hunter Mill office at 703.478.0283. Piedmont Environmental Council Urges "Buy Fresh Buy Local" This Holiday Season Help your friends and family plan for their spring garden with a unique gift from Southern Exposure Seed Company -- "Virginia Heritage Seed Collection" or "Rainbow Starters Mix." These great seed collections feature a variety of vegetables and flowers, and 30% of the proceeds from these sales will be donated to PEC's Buy Fresh Buy Local program. The Virginia Heritage collection at $25 features 12 varieties of vegetables historically associated with Virginia and the Appalachians. All are certified organic and open pollinated. The Rainbow Starters Mix at $22 contains 10 easy-to-grow varieties of vegetables and flowers, all certified organic and open pollinated. Order your collections at www.southernexposure.com or call 540.894.9480. Reston Recycles/Close the Loop - Great Recycling Tips from Reston Environmental Action (REACT) If you are shopping for the holidays and receiving packages in the mail, remember that clean packing peanuts and bubble wrap can be dropped off at the UPS Store at Plaza America. If your holidays include new electronics and you haven't decided how to recycle old items, check the following options: * Fairfax County - I66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. Check county website for dates at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/calendar.htm. County residents may recycle televisions, computers, monitors, and peripheral electronic devices such as printers, scanners, speakers, keyboards, mice, and external drives as well as unbroken Fluorescent tubes and light bulbs. This is a free service for Fairfax County residents in partnership with Covanta Energy, Inc. * Best Buy - 1861 Fountain Drive, Spectrum. See www.bestbuy.com - under "product support" click "recycling." Nearly everything electronic (even if it was not purchased at Best Buy), inclluding tube TVs and monitors up to 32", flat-panel tVs and monitors up to 60", peripherals, DVD players, home and car audio, cell phones, MP3 players, and cables are accepted. Desktop or laptop computers (with the hard drive removed or they will remove it for a fee), small electrics, fans, and vacuums. Cost is $10 for televisions and monitors, but will receive a $10 Best Buy gift card good toward future purchase. $10 fee does not apply to any Insignia, Dynex, or VPR Matrix products. Best Buy accepts these brands free of any charge. Check the website for potential trade-in value. Three items per household accepted per day. Inkjet cartridges, rechargeable batteries, CDs/DVDs, and Gift Cards can be dro9pped off in the free kiosk just inside the door. For a fee, Best Buy will remove up to two TVs, or two appliances, or one TV and one appliance from your home for recycling or reuse.
Call for Reston Association Board Candidates
Interested in guiding the direction of the Reston community? Then consider running for one of the three seats open this spring on the Reston Association Board of Directors. They include two at-large seats and one director who must be a resident of the South Lakes district. To learn more, attend an election information session on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at RA Headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Log onto www.reston.org and click on elections. You can also contact Cate Fulkerson, 703.435.6512 or cae@reston.org. Fresh-Cut Trees, Wreaths, and Pine Roping - Sale to Benefit Stop Hunger Now
Christmas Trees, Wreaths, and Pine Roping are on sale at Vale United Methodist Church, corner of Fox Mill & Vale Roads, Oakton. Sale hours: Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Pick out a beautiful, fresh-cut Frasir Fir, Douglas, Canaan, or Blue Spruce tree from a large assortment in all sizes 6 to 13 feet tall. Delivery is available for an extra charge. All proceeds from the tree sales benefit Stop Hunger Now (www.stophungernow.org). Come get your tree, wreath, and roping, and enjoy some free hot cider and cookies! |
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Calendar of Events
Senior citizens are invited to attend the Reston Community Center's annual Reston Senior Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 8, 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the elegant Sheraton Reston Hotel. Enjoy a sumptuous brunch, live musical entertainment, and a 45-minute performance by the outstanding Harmony Heritage Barbershop Chorus. This event is for citizens ages 55 and older; cost is $16 Reston residents, $32 non-residents. For more information or to register contact Karen Brutsche, RCC's Senior Adult Program Director, at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Reston Historic Trust will present "The Battle of Dranesville," a free program on Thursday, December 8, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609 Washington Plaza. This is a continuation of Reston Historic Trust's commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War about events that occurred in the Reston area. This program will focus on the strategic significance of Leesburg Turnpike, the history and description of the Town of Dranesville in 1861, movement of troops through present day Reston, and more. This event is free; all are welcome.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is hosting an information session about helping abused and neglected kids on Saturday, December 10, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center Street, Herndon. If you would like to learn more about advocating for abused or neglected children, call 703.273.3525, ext. 22, e-mail ekosarin@casafairfax.org, or visit www.fairfaxcasa.org.
The Washington Plaza Baptist Church Choir and featured guest artists will present a Concert of Christmas Music on Saturday, December 10, 4:00 p.m., at the church at 1615 Washington Plaza, Reston, overlooking beautiful Lake Anne. The concert is free; all are welcome. Call 707-471-5225 for additional information.
The Closet and Dranesville United Methodist Church will sponsor their annual Christmas Caroling Event at The Closet on Sunday, December 11, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 845 Station Street, Herndon.
If you are age 55 and older, attend the "Sunday Afternoon Dances" on Sunday, December 11, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road.
Learn all about Winter Woodpeckers on Monday, December 12, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive. This event is for children ages 3 to 5; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required by December 9 at 703.476.9689. Fee is $5/child RA members, $8/child non-members. Woodpeckers love to search the trees for food, even during winter. Learn about woodpeckers and other birds that peck on trees. Take a short hike to look for their homes, then make a fun craft.
Public art comes to the movies in Reston. The Oscar-winning documentary, "Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision," is the third film in the series co-sponsored by the Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) and the Reston Community Center (RCC). The film will be screened on Tuesday, December 13, 7:30 p.m., at RCC's CenterStage, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. This screening is free and open to the public. For more information, contact RCC at 703.476.4500, x3. The film captures the genius of architect Maya Lin, who vaulted to fame at age 21 when her sparse, modern, and controversial design was chosen to memorialize the Vietnam War in Washington, D.C.
If you are senior adult aged 55 or older, help ring in the holidays with Charles Dickens' timeless tale of redemption and charity - "A Christmas Carol" - on Thursday, December 15, 10:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a "Seniors Trip" sponsored by Reston Association; cost is $53/RA Members, $61/Non-members. Call 703.435.6577 or e-mail Ashleigh@reston.org for more information. Do it soon before tickets are sold out!
Reston Museum has the holiday season in mind with two special events on Saturday, December 17, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., at 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston. Join in a discussion, "Holiday Recollections from Around the World," at 3:30 p.m. sharing traditions from Reston's diverse population. At 4:45 p.m., take the "Holiday Lights Walk at Lake Anne" and enjoy a walk around the lake, returning to Reston Museum for more holiday remembrances and an international carol sing-along. Contact Reston Museum at 703.709.770 or restonmuseum@gmail.com for more information.
Let your elected officials know about the state government issues that are most important to you at a Public Meeting hosted by Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell on Thursday, January 5, 2012, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Bring your comments for Ken and Janet. This will be their annual pre-session meeting prior to the General Assembly going into session on January 11, 2012.
The MLK Community Service Awards will be presented at the 2012 Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration to be held January 14-16, 2012, in Reston. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com for more information.
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Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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