February 20, 2013
  

36th District

Reston, Virginia

 

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Lake Anne 
Delegate Plum speaking with constituents
 in Reston and Herndon on a weekend at home. 
  
 McNair Elementary School
  
      
 
      
Delegate Ken Plum's
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Commentary

  

Circus Comes to Town 

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

 

I am going to be taking two of my grandchildren to the Barnum and Bailey Circus at the Richmond Coliseum tonight. It is really amazing how quickly the circus can move into its venue; amaze, entertain and hold in suspense its audience; and then pack up and move on. Just a few blocks from the Coliseum, the General Assembly opened at the State Capitol the second week in January and will pack up this week and members will go back home. For the last six weeks the 140 members of the House of Delegates and State Senate along with their staff and about a thousand lobbyists have been holding forth on Capitol Square for the annual legislative session. The agenda is serious, and the activities over the past several weeks have been humorous, suspenseful and in a term used by the circus ringmaster, "unbelievable."

 

As we pick through the pieces of a legislature getting ready to adjourn, we find that there have been almost 3,000 bills and resolutions dispensed with in a short period of time. Fortunately the legislature has gone paperless with most of its functions saving the hundreds of trees that were killed in the past to support the process. By going online, citizens have greater access to what is going on at the General Assembly through its new website www.virginiageneralassembly.gov. Less than a third of the introduced legislation will make it to the Governor's desk, and some of that will be duplicate bills from the House and Senate. Even more fortunate is the fact that most people will be unaffected by the legislation as much of it relates to the operation of government and the courts.

 

Some of the bills that got media attention luckily will not be becoming law. Bills have to pass both houses in identical form to go to the Governor for his signature. The House plan to study a currency for Virginia (that I opposed) was defeated in the Senate. A Senate bill that would have regulated fox penning (that I supported in committee) died in subcommittee. A bill that passed the Senate that would have outlawed discrimination in state employment based on sexual orientation was killed in the same House subcommittee that has killed my bills on the same subject for many years. The Governor's effort to restore voting rights to offenders (that I supported) was defeated in a House committee. A resolution warning of the evils of the United Nations Agenda 21 passed the House (without my vote) but was defeated in the Senate.

 

These bills and others like them were but sideshows when compared with the bills in the center ring. Adjustments at the midpoint of the biennial budget would have been simple enough if not for the opportunity for the state to expand Medicaid to provide insurance for almost 400,000 more of the working poor in the Commonwealth. The health benefits and the quality of life and economic benefits of the expansion are clear, and the expansion has been endorsed by the Virginia and Fairfax Chambers of Commerce. The opposition comes from the Governor and other conservatives who got themselves out on a limb in opposing the Affordable Care Act or "Obamacare." A conference committee continues to work on a solution to resolve the matter.

 

Responding to the estimated one billion dollars per year in transportation needs with revenue-neutral bills as demanded by many will require a magic act worthy of any big tent performance. Our congestion is the worst in the country, but a group of legislators consider their no-tax commitment to Grover Norquist to be more important than their constituents' interests. A conference committee is trying to work out this issue.

 

When these two big issues are resolved, the legislature will fold its tent for the off-season but will return again next year for some of the same acts.

 

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

  

While Delegate Plum is in Richmond, look for a special edition of Virginia Report aired on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. 

 

"Virginia Report" is also available online at www.rctv28.com/virginiareport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.  

 

General Assembly Information  
 
Keep up-to-date with bills, votes, etc... at Virginia General Assembly. Email Delegate Plum at kenplum@aol.com  or call 703.758.9733. Visit VPAP to follow legislative action by subject.  
 

Bulletin Board 

 

Governor Bob McDonnell is urging low- and moderate-income Virginians to find out if they are eligible for the Virginia Free File program, which would allow them to prepare and file their state and federal income taxes online for free using name-brand tax software.  For more information, see Governor's press release. 

 

Does your child need health insurance? Healthy kids make great students! FAMIS is Virginia's program that helps families provide health insurance to their children. FAMIS stands for Family Access to Medical Insurance Security. Apply online at www.famis.org or call FAMIS toll-free at 1-866-87FAMIS (1-866-873-2647) or contact your local Department of Social Services.

  

Sustainable Reston, a project of the Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth, is working with Reston Association (RA) and the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) to bring the"Home Performance with ENERGY STAR" program to Reston to help residents learn about energy efficiency and prioritize home energy upgrades. The Reston Association Board of Directors will consider partnering with LEAP at its meeting on February 28, 2013 at RA Headquarters. In addition to lowering utility bills and improving the comfort of homes, this program has the potential to lower a community's carbon footprint and improve the energy efficiency of its housing. The program, which leads to certification of homes as energy efficient, can also make homes more competitive in the real estate market. 

 

Spring Trout Season: If you love Rainbow Trout and fishing, get ready for the fun at Lake Fairfax Park as spring trout season gets underway. The Fairfax County Park Authority will be stocking the lake on March 1, 15 and 29, and again on April 12, 2013. Anglers can purchase Lake Fairfax Park Season Trout passes for 2013 at the Main Office. Passes are valid for the entire calendar year. Adult passes (16-64) are $60. A child's pass (6-15) is $30. Senior passes for those 65 years of age and older are $45. Fishing regulations at the lake require that passes are displayed at all times. A six fish  per person daily limit is enforced, as is one line, one pole per person. A Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) state-issued freshwater fishing license is required for fishermen ages 16 and older. A Virginia state trout stamp is not required. Lake Fairfax is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston, VA.

  

College Scholarships: The Educational Foundation of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annually offers several $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors for college study. The scholarships support studies related to natural resource conservation. The 2013 deadline to apply is March 18, 2013. Applications for students who reside in Fairfax County must be submitted to the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District which will select one student for consideration by the state committee. For more information or to download the scholarship application, click here.  

 

Calendar of Events      

 

Tomorrow! Musical Soiree: Reston's two leading divas, Beverly Cosham and Menda Ahart, will help celebrate Black History Month by performing a long set of popular jazz and blues songs on Thursday, February 21, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Reston Museum, Lake Anne. Click here for more information about this and other upcoming Reston Museum events. Seating is limited and RSVP required. Call 703-709-7700. 

 

Reston's Used Book Shop is hosting readings by two local authors on Saturday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. For more information, call 703-435-9772.
 

Washington Monuments Behind the Scenes, February 23, 6:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.; Cost: $15 Reston/$30 Non-Reston. Join family, friends and neighbors of all ages on this behind the scenes guided tour of the city. A guide will explain the inside secrets of our nation's capital, allowing time to get off the bus and visit famous monuments and memorials. All participants must register. Trip fee includes transportation and tour guide. Visit Reston Community Center to register. 

  

Electric Sunday TV & Computer Recycling, Sunday, February 24, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Rd., Fairfax. For updates, cancellations, and notifications of events, call 703-324-5052.  

 

Rail to Loudoun - On Track: Hear the latest information on Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Rail Project and the development planned to take advantage of proximity to the Loudoun County stations. Thursday, February 28, 7:30 a.m. to noon at the GWU Virginia Science & Technology Campus, Exploration Hall, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn, VA 20147. For more information, visit Rail to Loudoun - On Track.

 

Bullying: What Can Be Done? Saturday, March 2, 11:00 a.m. at Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke, VA 22015. For more information visit Bullying: What Can Be Done?.

 

Energy Saving Tips for Consumers: Monday, March 4. Would you like to learn about direct and indirect cost saving measures from home and workplace energy conservation? Do you have costly home energy bills? Join the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch for a discussion on Home Energy Savings for Consumers featuring guest panelists from Home Performance Solutions and the US Department of Energy at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA, Conference Rooms 9/10, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

  

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW): The Virginia Department of the Treasury's Unclaimed Property Division

may be holding your un-cashed paychecks, lost stocks, bonds, dividends, utility deposits, insurance claims and more. Stop by to meet with representatives from the VA Department of Treasury to see if any money is owed to you. Last year, over $30,000 was returned to consumers during NCPW.
 --Tuesday, March 5: Fairfax County Government Center, North Atrium, Fairfax.

--Thursday, March 7: Cub Run Rec Center, 4630 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly.

 

3rd Annual Let's Help Kids "Dual" Gala - (kids in one room, adults in the other - no babysitter required!), Saturday, March 9, 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the Dulles Westin, 2520 Wasser Terrace, Herndon, VA 20171. For more information, visit Let's Help Kids Gala.

 

Virginia's annual Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, at 9:45 a.m. The date also will be observed as Tornado Preparedness Day across the state.To register and to learn more about planning a tornado drill, go to www.vaemergency.gov and click through the rotating graphics at the top of the page, or go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov.

 

The Northern Virginia Dental Society (NVDS) is hosting its 10th Mission of Mercy (M.O.M.) Project on March 15 & 16, 2013 at the Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Campus in Springfield, VA. Numerous volunteers from the dental profession will be working side-by-side with participating social service agencies and community volunteers to provide care for an anticipated 800 plus patients over this two-day period. For more information, visit Mission of Mercy.

  
Newcomer's Night, Thursday, March 21 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. New or not so new to Reston? Come learn more about Reston Association (RA) and its many services, amenities and programs as well as other local organizations in the community. Meet RA Board members and staff and find out how you can get involved in Reston. Light refreshments will be available and door prizes will be awarded. RSVP to Ashleigh@reston.org  or call 703-435-6577.
  
Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala, Saturday, April 6: Charles Mann, former Redskin, three-time Super Bowl champion, businessman and philanthropist, will emcee the Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation's annual Dress Up with Grown-ups Gala on April 6 at The Mason Inn on the GMU campus. This gala is designed for people to bring their children and grandchildren if they wish...as long as they "dress up"! The gala benefits the MCCP Foundation which provides medical and dental care to children in low-income families who do not have access to doctors and dentists. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Dress Up with Grown-Ups Gala.
  

Equality Virginia hosts its 10th Annual Commonwealth Dinner on Saturday, April 6, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center,
403 North Third Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians (LGBT). For more information about the dinner visit Commonwealth Dinner.  

 

FREE Family Fun at Reston's 10th Annual Founder's Day! A Community Celebration of Reston's 49th and Bob Simon's 99th Birthday on Saturday, April 13, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m., Lake Anne Village Center.  
  
FISH Fling Gala & Fundraiser is Saturday, April 20 at the Crowne Plaza Dulles Airport Hotel, 2200 Centreville Road, Herndon. For more information on attending, donating or sponsorships, send email to FISH@HerndonRestonFISH.org.

  

2013 Signature Conference The American Civil War at Home, Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the College of William and Mary.
This Signature Conference--the fifth in an annual series--brings together noted Civil War historians to consider how the Civil War changed Virginia and the nation 150 years ago in the year of the war's turning point, 1863. For more information on the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, visit

www.VirginiaCivilWar.org.    

   

Save the date for the 10th Annual Nature House 5K Fund Run/Walk on Saturday, April 20. Pre-register or register the morning of beginning at 7:00 a.m.! Enjoy the amazing Nature House facility, and the place for environmental education in and around Reston! For more information, visit 10th Annual 5K Run.    

 
In This Issue
Commentary..."Circus Comes to Town"
"Virginia Report" on Comcast Channel 28
General Assembly Information
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News
703-758-9733 * kenplum@aol.com * www.kenplum.com 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
 and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum.