Delegate Ken Plum's
 
Virginia e-News
 
 
Feb. 22, 2012

 
  NoVA REALTORS

Ken greeted Northern Virginia Realtors last week during their advocacy day at the Capitol.
 
 

Commentary

 

Crossover  

by Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

 

Last week was "crossover" for the General Assembly- the time when each house of the legislature must complete consideration of bills introduced into its chamber. After Tuesday of last week, only bills introduced by the Senate can be considered by the House of Delegates and vice versa. The exception is the budget bill, which is given an additional week for consideration in each house. Bills that had been tabled during debate in the house in which they were introduced are now effectively defeated.

 

As I indicated in last week's column, hundreds of bills have been passed in each house, but most of the bills impact only a small number of people, government and court procedures, and local governments. In order for a bill to become a law it must pass both houses of the legislature in identical form and be signed by the Governor. Bills on the same subject that are passed in different form by the two houses are reconsidered by committees of conference, usually made up of three delegates and three senators. If an agreement cannot be reached and then approved by both houses, the bills are then considered to be defeated.

 

Here is where some of the high-profile issues are in the House: current law limiting handgun purchases to one per month passed the House. I voted against this. A similar bill is coming over from the Senate. The Governor has said that he will sign it, justifying its legitimacy on the basis of the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

 

Ultrasound requirements before receiving an abortion also passed the House. Again, I voted "no."  No health reasons were given in its support. This will be used as a way to slow down the abortion process and will also make it more difficult for women to make a decision. I also voted against the bill that defines a fetus as a person. The implications for the legislation are not fully known but clearly far-reaching. Whether it outlaws some forms of contraception or could be used to outlaw abortion entirely by the overturning of Roe V. Wade, many real concerns are being raised.

 

The death penalty was expanded to include others beyond the "triggerman," in murder cases. I also chose to oppose this, as I oppose all death penalty bills. Several immigration bills requiring a check of immigration status of individuals came up as well. I voted against these measures.

 

Also considered was the Governor's transportation plan that takes money from education to build roads. I strongly opposed this and voted "no." Education is already underfunded. This plan does not provide adequate monies to meet transportation needs, but we will continue to find a plan that does before the end of session.

 

There is still a lot of action that will take place on these and other bills. Stay tuned for the second half of the session, now that we are past crossover. Follow General Assembly action at: http://lis.virginia.gov/.

"Wrap-Up from Richmond - Week 6"  
KenFloorSpeech  

 

 
 
 
 
 
  Click on the link below (you may need to copy and paste it into your browser) for a brief update  from Ken on last week's highlights from the General Assembly.

 

 


Watch some of Ken's floor speeches in the House of Delegates along with prior Wrap-Ups from Richmond at the link below:
 
 

 

"Virginia Report" and "Report from Richmond" on Comcast Channel 28
 
Episodes of Ken's weekly television program, "Virginia Report," are available online at www.rctv28.com/VirginiaReport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.  Programs from Richmond will be available periodically during the General Assembly session, so check this box each week to see if a program will be aired from Richmond.
 
Ken looks forward to resuming "Virginia Report" after the session ends on March 10.
In This Issue
Commentary - "Crossover"
"Wrap-Up from Richmond - Week 6"
"Virginia Report"
Announcements
Calendar of Events - What's Going On?

 Capitol Building
Announcements
 
Reston Business Owner Has New Publication
Buckley Fricker of Reston is the author of Elder Care:  The Road to Growing Old is Not Paved (Bellview Publishing).  The book is an easy to read reference book for both professionals in the field and individuals in the community facing retirement and caring for elderly loved ones.  It has been described as "the eldercare equivalent of GPS." 
 
Plum to Teach Another OLLI Course This Spring
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University has issued its Spring 2012 catalog.  Among the course offerings is "Highlights of Virginia History" taught by Delegate Ken Plum on Wednesday mornings, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., April 4 through May 9.  The class will be held at the JoAnne Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne.  For more information on OLLI and its many course offerings, go to www. olli.gmu.edu.
 
Giving Circle of HOPE to Honor 10 Area Organizations
Rrecipients of grants from the Giving Circle of HOPE will be honored on Friday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. at a reception at Midtown at Reston Town Center, 11990 market Street, Reston, which the community is invited to attend.  Each of the 10 non-profit organizations that received $5,000 will have a representative and a display table.  This will be the eighth annual grantee celebration of the Giving Circle of HOPE, an organization of more than 100 members based in Reston that was founded in 2004 to promote volunteerism and effective philanthropy.  Members seek to make a difference in the community by contributing their time, talents, and money to projects which encourage self-sufficiency and well-being among people in need in Northern Virginia.  Since its inception, the Giving Circle has awarded over $400,000 through the grant program.  This year's grant recipients are Alternative House, Empowered Women International, Grace Ministries, Herndon-Reston FISH, Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic, Just Neighbors, Manassas Midwifery, PROSPERA Initiatives, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), and The Brain Foundation.  For additional information, visit www.GivingCircleofHOPE.org or email info@givingcircleofhope.org or call 703.665.9334.

 

 

                          Capitol Building

 

Calendar of Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

The George Washington Masonic Memorial's 2012 George Washington Symposium will be held today -  February 22 -  at 1:00 p.m.  Presentations during the Symposium will include Professor Benjamin Huggins presenting "Commander in Chief - George Washington at War, 1778-1781;" Professor Rosemary Zagarri with "George Washington and the Challenge of Party Politics in the 1790s;" and Professor Emeritus Peter Henriques to present "Realistic Visionary:  The Evolving Leadership of George Washington."  This event is free and open to the public.  Call Director of Museum and Library Collections Mark Tabbert at 703.683.2067 x 2012 with any questions.

 

Teens, parents, people who work with youth, and anyone who wants to know more about youth mental wellness are invited to a unique event designed to showcase mental health resources for youth ages 21 and under at the Youth Mental Wellness Fair, Saturday, February 25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at West Springfield High School Auditorium, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield.  This is a free, drop-in event.  Register online at www.FairfaxYouth.org or at the door.  For more information, contact Mary Beth Waite, Community Education Coordinator, at Mary.Waite@FairfaxCounty.gov, 703.324.5535.

 

The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Awards Gala this Saturday, February 25, 6:00 p.m. to Midnight at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport.  Emcee of the event will be Angie Goff, NBC Washington Anchor for Weekend Edition of News4 Today.  Silent, Live and Paddle Auctions with Delegate Ken Plum as "auctioneer" and a seated dinner followed by music and dancing with The Karma Issue highlight the evening.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the USO.  Cost is $125 per person; black tie optional.  Register online at www.dullesregionalchamber.org by February 15.

 

Enjoy a weekend matinee performance of "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Shakespeare Lansburgh Theatre in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, February 26, Noon to 6:00 p.m.  This romantic comedy embraces the classic love triangle in which two best friends, Valentine and Proteus, are turned enemies as they vie for the hand of the enchanting Duke's daughter, Silvia.  Leave from and return to Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, and Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston.  This outing is for persons ages 55 and older.  Cost is $55 Reston residents/$110 non-residents.  Contact Karen Brutsche at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

 

The Leadership Book Club at Il Fornaio at Reston Town Center will meet on Sunday, February 26, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  A discussion of "Outliers:  The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell begins promptly at 2:00 p.m.  Appetizers included; cocktails and beverages additional charge.  $15 (plus tax and gratuity).  Call 703.437.5544 for reservations; not accepted online.  Visit www.ilfornaio.com for restaurant location information.

 

The Washington Vocal Arts Ensemble will be performing at South Lakes High School in the Little Theater on Sunday, February 26.  Refreshments will be served at 5:00 p.m., and the show starts at 6:00 p.m.  The Washington Vocal Arts Ensemble, under the leadership of Director Russell Penny, is comprised of a rotating pool of professional artists who have sung all over the world.  The performance will be a fundraiser for the SLHS choral department.

 

The 55th Green Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 10, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Brion's Grille in Fairfax.  Learn about the Fairfax County Public Schools Get2Green program, spearheaded by Elaine Tholen, Environmental Educator with FCPS.  Acting on the concept of "no child left inside" and the importance of connecting children with the outdoors, as well as a goal of promoting environmental stewardship among more than 175,000 students and approximately 200 schools, Elaine is helping the school system initiate an ambitious program.  Exciting partnerships have been developed, both internal and external, including one with the National Wildlife Federation Eco Schools USA Program.  Elaine is also a Co-Founder of NoVA Outside, a regional network of environmental educators.

 

Enjoy "A Commemoration of the Star-Spangled Banner and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812" on Sunday, March 11, 2:00 p.m., in the Carriage House at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg.  Journalist, historian, and author Marc Leepson will give a talk on the little-known facts surrounding Francis Scott Key's writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the story behind the convoluted road it took to become the official National Anthem.  Following the talk and refreshments, attendees will make the short drive to Rokeby, where they will tour the privately owned home in which the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution were stored during the British occupation of Washington, D.C., in 1814 during the War of 1812.  Tickets are $65 for Mosby Heritage Area Association (MHAA) members; $75 non-members.  For reservations and information, call the MHAA at 540.687.6681 or go to http://mosbyheritagearea.org/events.html.
 

Join the Virginia Historical Society and the Virginia Environmental Endowment on Friday, March 16, at Noon in Richmond for a FREE day-long conference, Before It Was "Virginia":  Setting the Stage by Helen Rountree, focusing on the historic relationship between Virginia's environment and its people.  Presentations by environmental policy makers and scholars and a roundtable discussion moderated by the Honorable Gerald L. Baliles highlight the conference with a reception and book signing to follow.  To reserve your space and order a box lunch, register online at www.vahistorical.org/news/veeconf.htm or contact Matthew Weber at mweber@vahistorical.org or 804.342.0658.  This event is free to VHS members and registered conference attendees.

 

Join the Reston Community Orchestra for a concert, "Mostly Baroque," and embrace the exuberance and grandeur of the great Baroque composers including pieces by Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi on Sunday, March 25, 4:00 p.m., at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.  Admission is free.  For more information, visit www.restoncommunityorchestra.org or call 571.449.7095.

 

Attend a workshop series, "Live Your Best Life" on Saturdays, March 17 through April 21, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road.  This series is designed to support individuals who are thinking about retirement, those transitioning into retirement, and those who have already retired.  People in the process of transitioning from their work careers are sometimes called Third Agers because they have one-third of their life left to live after they retire.  The course syllabus will be provided prior to the first class.  Professionals from around the region who are affiliated with the Positive Aging Coalition will lead the weekly sessions.  Cost is $40 Reston residents; $80 non-residents.  Ages 50 and older.  For registration or information contact Karen Brutsche, RCC's Senior Adult Program Director, at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com. 

 

Clyde's of Reston will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day Party in the Pavilion at Reston Town Center on Sunday, March 17, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  Bacon & Kegs Irish Breakfast will be served in the Pavilion at 10:00 a.m.  Enjoy Clyde's food, guinness beer, Irish folk dancing and fun children's activities including a moon bounce and face painting.  Join the Running of the Leprechauns at 3:00 p.m. and enjoy live entertainment 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

 

Celebrate the Persian New Year - Nowruz - on Sunday, March 18, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Pavilion and Market Street at Reston Town Center.  Discover more than 3000 years of old traditions, customs, and festivity of the Persian New Year (Nowruz) with music, dance, group performances, and costumed characters along with a Persian Bazaar offering exotic food, good, art, and more.  Call 202.369.1515 for more information.

 

When was the last time you visited the National Museum of Natural History?  Take a tour of this wonderful museum on Wednesday, March 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Bus departs from Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, and from Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road.  The tour is for citizens 55 and older; cost is $15 Reston residents, $30 non-residents, and includes transportation.  Whether looking at civilization's history and cultures, examining ancient life forms including the ever popular dinosaurs, or exploring the beauty of rare gemstones such as uniquely colored diamonds, the Museum's temporary and permanent exhibitions educate, enlighten, and entertain millions of visitors each year.  Current exhibitions include The Evolving Universe, the Chilean Mine Rescue, and Dinosaurs in our Backyard.  Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to spend the day at one of the world's preeminent museums!  Contact Karen Brutsche, Reston Community Center, at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

 

Come to a free seminar, "Disabled and Proud," on Thursday, April 5, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.  Cost is free; registration required.  Learn about the various civil rights laws that protect people with disabilities as well as the strategies to use in order to get the most out of the protections that they have to offer.  Nearly 15 percent of the population has one form of a disability or another -- it isn't something to be ashamed of, and should not impact a person's ability to live comfortably at home, shop, dine out, travel, be gainfully employed, access public transportation, and enjoy socializing in community settings.  Whether it is physical access for using a mobility device or a modification in the way a service is provided, utilizing these programs, services, and amenities isn't a icety; it is a civil right!  Contact Karen Brutsche to register or ask questions at 703.476.4500 or go to www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

 

Reston Association's Annual Members' Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Reston Association's Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston.  Learn about RA's accomplishments in 2011 and plans for 2012.  Hear the results of the Board of Directors' Election.  Meet your neighbors.  Light refreshments will be served.  RSVP to annualmeeting@reston.org or call 703.435.6530.

 

Save the Date for the 9th Annual 5K Fund Run/Walk to benefit Nature House on Saturday, April 21, 8:00 a.m. at Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston.  Adult fee is $25 prior to April 1, $30 regular.  Children's fee is $15 prior to April 1, $20 regular.  Register at www.active.com.  The Fund Run/Walk is a community-based and sponsored event.  Timing is by Reston Runners.  Enjoy a rolling, scenic and mostly wooded course through Reston neighborhoods and parkland.  Don't want to run or walk?  Consider volunteering by contacting Ha Brock at ha@reston.org.

 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation's Annual Dream Maker's Gala will be held on Thursday, April 26, at the McLean Tysons Hilton Hotel in McLean.  Visit www.mlkculturalfoundation.org for details about the reception and dinner.  This is an event you won't want to miss!

 

Save the date - Saturday, May 19 - for the Annual FISH Fling!  FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help) will once again host an evening of dinner and dancing along with one of the area's best silent auctions.  Proceeds from this gala event help fund the services Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. provides to some of our area's citizens in times of crisis.  Visit www.HerndonRestonFISH.org to learn more.

 

 

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