Peace Progress
A Monthly 97th District Update
August 2009
In this issue:
v Message from Chris
v Get Involved
v Mark Your Calendars
v New Kent Habitat for Humanity Event
v Public Services Announcement
v Constituent Services
v New Media Services |
Message From Chris
So far my vote for Time's Person of the Year is "Big Government." The year began with Congress enacting a multibillion "stimulus" program, a deficit spending budget and now before summer break is planning a trillion dollar federal takeover of health care. In fact, we may see the House of Representatives pass H.R. 3200 before August 7th. Working jointly to support efforts of conservative legislators around the country (American Legislative Exchange Council, a Nonpartisan individual membership organization of state legislators which favors federalism and conservative public policy solutions), I want to provide you important information about the current federal reform plan particularly, the "public plan" and a national health insurance exchange-which would dishonor the 10th amendment, ignore state sovereignty and lead us closer to single-pay health care.
The Heritage Foundation released a study this week that reveals the devastating impact that the leading House health reform bill (H.R. 3200) will have on Virginia.
Click here to read the study:
The Heritage Foundation commissioned The Lewin Group, a highly respected health care policy and management consulting firm, to examine the impact of the American Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200). Among other provisions, the bill would create a new public plan, modeled on Medicare, to compete with private health plans in a newly established health insurance exchange.
H.R. 3200 could result in severe consequences for you, your doctor, and hospital in Virginia:
Effects on Private Coverage and the Uninsured:
55% of privately insured Virginia residents would transition out of private insurance. Of the estimated 4.7 million Virginia residents with private health insurance, there would be a decline of 2.6 million people with private coverage.
60% of Virginia residents with employer-based coverage would lose their current insurance. Of the estimated 4.5 million Virginia residents with employer-based coverage, 2.7 million people would be shifted out of their current employer-based plan.
84% of Virginia residents in a health insurance exchange would end up in the public plan. Of the estimated 3.7 million Virginia residents who would obtain coverage through an exchange, 3.1 million would be covered by the public plan.
29% of the uninsured in Virginia would still lack coverage. Of the estimated 1.2 million Virginia residents without health insurance, the legislation would only reduce the uninsured by 850,100, leaving 349,900 Virginia residents without coverage.
According to ALEC, H.R. 3200 will crowd out private sector health insurance and put increasing numbers of Virginians on the government plan.
Effects on Physicians and Hospitals:
Physicians in Virginia could see their net annual income decline by $350.2 million, an average loss in income of $14,537 per physician. Of this net loss in income, $1.133 billion is attributable to the public plan using Medicare-based payments.
Hospitals in Virginia could have their net annual income fall by about $2 billion, with hospital total margins dropping to -3.5%. This loss in hospital income, greater than total hospital margins, is overwhelmingly attributable to the public plan using Medicare-based payments.
According to ALEC, by reducing physicians' incomes, H.R. 3200 will exacerbate Virginia's already-critical doctor shortage and lead Virginia's hospitals down the road to fiscal insolvency.
This health care plan is another example of the growth of the federal government. In February, along with Del. William Fralin, I introduced a House of Delegates Resolution to ask Congress to honor the 10th Amendment and our traditional principles of Federalism. Since Session hundreds have contacted my office in support and Jimmy Barrett of WRVA posted an online petition to support my efforts. I hope you will visit www.chrispeace.com to link to the petition and help send a message to Congress. |
|
|
Mark Your Calendars
Caroline:
August 13, 2009- Caroline Ruritan Club Annual Fish Fry The Caroline Ruritan Club will hold their annual Fish Fry at the Caroline Little League Park 15496 Paige Road) from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Cost is $12.00 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at Union Bank & Trust/Bowling Green, DeJarnette & Beale Insurance, Café on Main Street and G&G/Ace Hardware.
Hanover:
2009 Virginia Ag Expo "More Than Ever Agriculture Matters" Thursday, August 6th 7:30 am to 3:30 pm J.N. Mills & Sons Farm 13497 Hanover Quarter Road, Hanover, VA 23069. $10.00 registration fee includes a Bar-B-Q lunch Please register by sending a $10 check made payable to Virginia Ag-Expo, 17000 Sandy Point Road, Charles City, VA 23030. Lunch tickets will be distributed at the registration tent on the day of the Expo. Please pre- register by Tuesday, July 28, 2009. Come to Virginia's largest annual field day to view the Virginia Cooperative Extension On-Farm Corn and Soybean Test Plots, including seeding rates, a sampling of treatments, fungicide, and planting dates. Visit all exhibits and venders at your own pace, including a portable fencing demonstration, the latest in vegetables, and more.
Discuss products and services with companies and organizations under the large exhibit tent and view the latest in farm machinery showcased in outside exhibits. More then ever agriculture matters to the economy, environment, and a safe and affordable food supply! Hosted by J.N. Mills & Sons Farm in King William County, this year's Virginia Ag Expo will highlight how agriculture is making a positive difference to all citizens.
Henrico:
Henrico Teen Theatre Company Presents The Lost Half-Hour July 29, 30, 31, & Aug 1 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Free. For all ages. The Henrico Teen Theatre Company is excited to present The Lost Half-Hour, a one-act fairy tale by Colleen Neuman. In this story, Bobo is a simple lad who is the subject of much ridicule. No one in the land expects that he will actually find a lost half-hour. But the boy returns victorious, having found not only the errant half-hour, but a lost temper, a lost reputation, and a lost princess as well. Fun for the entire family! Directed by Laurie Follmer. Information: Amy Perdue, 501-5138 or Elaine Payne, 501-5115. Reservations are required and can be made starting June 22 by calling 501-5859
King and Queen:
The Walkerton Day Parade is held each year on the first Saturday of August, which is August 1, 2009, parade begins at 5:30, with the crowning of "Miss Walkerton" after the parade. This year they are honoring the service of our Veterans. Contact Walkerton Community Fire Association for more details. Walkerton Community Fire Association P.O. Box 85 Walkerton, VA 23177 Located at the intersection of Route 629 and Route 634 in the village of Walkerton
King William:
CRUISE IN's Everyone is welcome to Cruise-In for good food, good music, good friends and beautiful classic automobiles. A door prize drawing will be held every Friday Night through August 21, 2009 in the King William High School parking lot from 6 to 8:30 PM. Only individuals that bring a classic automobile for display will be eligible for the drawing. Business/Organization-Sponsorship Opportunities. If your business or organization is interested in sponsoring a Cruise In Night by donating the Door prize for that night please contact JudiAnn Shaver, Director, King William Parks and Recreation at (804) 769-4981 or jshaver@kingwilliamcounty.us
New Kent:
August 15 Meet the GOP 3 to 7 pm at Millstone Farm on Cosby Mill Road. Special Guests: Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Senator Ken Cuccinelli, Senator Tommy Norment and past Lt. Governor John Hager. Music by The Us Band. Sponsored by the New Kent Republican Party. $25 ticket includes BBQ, Cole Slaw, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Dessert, Tea & Soda. For more information or to buy tickets call 804-241-6160.
Spotsylvania:
Celebrate the end of summer!! Come and enjoy the "stars" at the rescheduled 2009 Spotsylvania Family Movie Night "Hotel for Dogs" "Do you remember those carefree summer nights of your youth spent chasing fireflies, playing kick the can, and going to the Drive-in movies? You dressed in your favorite pajamas and everyone piled into the family station wagon to see the latest feature film - only to awaken the next morning in your own bed not quite sure how or when you got there. The bygone era of the "Drive-in" movie will return to our community. As darkness falls, and the stars begin to twinkle, families and friends can settle into their lawn chairs and on their blankets to watch a feature film on a Giant "inflatable" cinema quality movie screen. Now you can spend a magical night this summer sharing your childhood memories with your children under the stars at the Spotsylvania Family Movie Night. Saturday, August 22, 2009 FREE ADMISSION!! Robert E. Lee School 7413 Brock Road Spotsylvania, Va. 22553 Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Movie begins at dark. No alcohol, glass containers, tobacco products, or pets allowed. |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are cordially invited to the Fourth Annual
New Kent Habitat for Humanity
Golf Tournament, Dinner & Auction
Our third annual event was extremely successful, with over $23,000 going directly to
New Kent Habitat for Humanity.
The success of all our events have been due to your generosity and support and the
proceeds from these events allowed us to build our First Two Habitat Homes in New Kent.
We hope the fourth annual event will be even more successful than last year's. There are many
new raffle items, silent & live auction prizes along with some favorites from last year.
There will be Putting and Chipping Contests along with a Closest to the Pin Challenge
with separate prizes for both the Ladies and the Men.
Here's how you can join in the fun while raising money for a very worthy cause:
Register for the Golf Tournament by completing the attached form &
dropping it off at the Brickshire Pro Shop along with your check made payable to New Kent Habitat for Humanity.
(Additional forms are available in the Brickshire Locker Rooms)
or
Contact Donna Friend @ 804-966-2813 or DJFRIEND@COX.NET
Format: 4 Person Team - 9 Hole Captain's Choice Event
Register as a team, or as a single or twosome & we will assign you to a team.
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Location: The Golf Club at Brickshire
Time: 3:00pm Check-in |
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 29, 2009
Contact: Joel Davison, Public Relations Manager, (804) 786-3507 joel.davison@tax.virginia.gov
Ginny Slaughter, Public Relations Specialist, (804) 786-3455, ginny.slaughter@tax.virginia.gov
Virginia's Fourth Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Coming Up
~Get ready to shop and save! ~
RICHMOND, Va. - More than ever, the cost of sending children back to school is likely hanging over the heads of many families this year, even for frugal families who clip coupons, scour sale circulars and shop around.
For the fourth year, the Commonwealth, along with Virginia's retailers, again stands ready to help its citizens save a little more. Virginia's back-to-school sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 7 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009.
During this three-day period, many school supplies costing $20 or less each and clothing items and footwear costing $100 or less each will be exempt from Virginia's 5 percent sales tax. This includes items like pencils, pens, binders, paints, musical instruments and calculators, as well as pants, shirts, formal wear, shoes, flip-flops, and even uniforms.
Lists of exempt items, along with guidelines for the sales tax holiday and a set of frequently asked questions, are available on the Tax Department's Sales Tax Holiday Information Center at www.tax.virginia.gov.
This sales tax holiday is for all taxpayers in Virginia, not just for those with children heading back to school, so now's a good time to stock up on office supplies or clothing for adults as well. There is no limit on the number of items you can buy as long as each one qualifies under the holiday's guidelines. During this sales tax holiday, retailers may also choose to save taxpayers even more by opting to pay the sales tax themselves on items that are not eligible for exemption.
"The citizens of the Commonwealth are savvy, and they know that the August sales tax holiday is a great way to put a little more back in the family budget," said Tax Commissioner Janie Bowen. "This has been a popular sales tax holiday every year since it was implemented, and I have no doubt even more thrifty families will be out there this year taking advantage of this opportunity to stretch their dollars a little further."
It is estimated that Virginia taxpayers will save $4 million in sales tax this year.
#### |
Constituent Services
I am always happy to assist residents of the 97th District in dealing with state agencies. As your Delegate, I want to make sure that your government is working for you and that your rights are respected. While I cannot require an agency to make a specific determination on your behalf, I am happy to assist you with cutting the red tape and getting you the answers you seek. My office can serve as a liaison between my constituents and the state.
My office takes the responsibility of serving seriously. My staff is available during the week to assist you with your concerns; I am also readily available. I encourage you to contact us. Please continue to contact me whenever you have concerns or issues of importance to our community and the Commonwealth.
I may be reached at:
Capitol Office:
PO Box 406
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: 804-698-1097
Fax: 804-698-6797
District Office:
7494 Lee Davis Rd, Suite 16F
PO Box 819
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Phone: 804-730-3737
Fax: 804-730-5049
E-mail: delcpeace@house.virginia.gov
***Please make note of the legislative e-mail address change. To insure consistency among all Virginia government entities, the General Assembly of Virginia is changing all website and email addresses from the 'state.va.us' naming convention to virginia.gov. Therefore our new e-mail address is delcpeace@house.virginia.gov | |
|
|
|
New Media Services
If you have not done so already, please visit my NEW REDESIGNED website :
Facebook: www.facebook.com
If you are a member of Facebook, please login and sign on as a supporter on my page. You may find my supporter page: Christopher K. Peace by using the search box in the top right-hand corner of the main page after you login. Once on the page, click the "Become a Fan" button in the upper right hand corner.
For General Assembly Session Updates please visit the following websites:
| |
|
|
|
