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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Commentary
General Assembly to Reconvene
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
The General Assembly will reconvene in the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 3, for what is appropriately termed the Reconvened Session. The purpose of this annual session is narrowly defined in the State Constitution to give the General Assembly the opportunity to review actions of the Governor on legislation passed during the regular session. Prior to January 1, 1981 the Governor could simply veto legislation he did not like, and the only choice the legislature had was to respond in the regular session the next year. With the passage of a constitutional amendment establishing the Reconvened Session, the General Assembly can override a gubernatorial veto with a two-thirds vote. Adding to the efficiency of the process, the Governor can send recommendations for amendments to bills that passed to make technical corrections, add clarity, or change the effect of the bill more to his liking. In any case, the House and Senate must approve or reject the Governor's amendments.
The importance of the Reconvened Session is heightened this year by the fact that the Governor has two extremely important bills before him for which there is great public interest. While it has been characterized that the Governor had agreed to these bills in advance of their passage, the devil is in the details of the actual bills before him. There is anxious anticipation of an announcement by the Governor of whether he plans to sign, amend or veto the transportation funding bill and the Medicaid expansion bill. While both were worked out in coordination with his office, the passage of the two bills has brought about great praise from some quarters and sharp criticism from others. With the Governor's term coming to a close this year, his action on these bills may largely define his legacy.
The Governor had made a campaign promise to fix the transportation funding problem. The business community has been effusive in its praise of the current transportation bill for the reliable and continuing stream of money it provides for congestion relief and transportation improvements. The Tea Party and Grover Norquist fans have been calling it the biggest tax increase in Virginia's history and certain to end any possibilities for the Governor in a 2016 Presidential race. Some details of the bill--like the hybrid vehicle fee--do not make any logical sense and need to be fixed.
On Medicaid expansion, a legislative plan put into the budget would move Virginia into an expanded Medicaid program. Once again it is believed by those drafting the proposal that the Governor had agreed to it, but he continues to write letters and make negative comments about the Affordable Care Act. Many activist groups wisely continue to write and call his office to ask that he not try to amend the plan. We should learn of the Governor's plans for the Reconvened Session by next week.
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Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28
 Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference. Watch these upcoming programs:
TONIGHT - Wednesday, March 20 at 10:30 p.m. - Patty Nicoson, President, Dulles Corridor Rail Association - "Silver Line Update"
Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 27 at 10:30 p.m. - Amanda Andere, FACETS
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Bulletin Board
Virginia Income Tax Information
--Virginia Deadlines and Resources www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/state_income.htm
--Virginia Department of Taxation www.tax.virginia.gov
--Helpful Tips Tax Tips
--Tips for choosing a Tax Preparer Choosing a Tax Preparer
--Tax Preparation Services, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): Provides free tax preparation services to working families and individuals who earned less than $51,000 in 2012. http://nvacash.org/vita
Unearthing the Bicentennial: An Archaeological Exhibit in Honor of the Mansion's 200th Anniversary opened this week at Virginia's Executive Mansion as a part of the celebration of the mansion's bicentennial. The exhibit--open to the public and running through July 2013--contains items discovered during an archaeological investigation at the mansion. To schedule a tour of the mansion or to view the exhibit, call 804-371-2642, ext. 2460. For more information about the exhibit, visit http://www.executivemansion.virginia.gov/200thanniversary/archeology.cfm.
Library of Virginia publishes new book to help set the record straight. Changing History: Virginia Women through Four Centuries tells the varied stories of women, both famous and lesser-known, in the Old Dominion. Look for Changing History at the Virginia Shop of the Library of Virginia. For more information, visit The Virginia Shop or call 804-692-3524.
You Have No Right: Law and Justice in Virginia, an exhibit at the Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA, runs through Saturday, May 18, 2013. Using Virginia cases--and the stories of the people behind them--the exhibit demonstrates how the law affects individuals directly and how people have used the law to achieve political and social goals. Using original records and electronic resources to convey the themes of human rights, citizenship, and the rule of law in a lively and engaging presentation, the exhibition explores questions about citizenship, marriage rights, eminent domain, and why prosecutors have to prove guilt and defense lawyers don't have to prove innocence.
One of the best times to take your children or grandchildren to Frying Pan Park is in the spring when animals are giving birth to their new babies. There is a sign outside the park indicating the new baby animals that have arrived, or you can go to the birthing schedule page on the park's website: arrivals.
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Calendar of Events
Tonight: Soapstone Connector Feasibility Study Public Meeting, March 20, South Lakes High School, 7:00 p.m.To view a presentation on the project, visit Soapstone Connector Feasibility Study.
Tomorrow: 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.
"Re-Energize," a Conference & Expo for the people who live in and work in condominiums, cooperatives and homeowner associations, presented by the Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute, will be held Saturday, March 23, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW in Washington, D.C. For further conference details, visit www.caidc.org.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking volunteers to support iCan Shine, a five-day camp that teaches children with disabilities to ride two-wheel bicycles. The camp will be held during Fairfax County Schools' spring break, March 25 to March 29, at Lee District RECenter in Franconia, VA. Volunteers will earn one free RECenter day pass for each camp session worked. At iCan Shine camp, attendees learn to ride bicycles independently by improving balance, mastering steering, and overcoming the fear of falling. Volunteers will serve as "spotters" to run alongside children and to provide physical and emotional support. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. A five-day commitment is required. For more information, call Adapted Aquatics Coordinator LeeAnn David at 703-324-8565.
Reston Citizens Association (RCA) is hosting a community forum about the Baron Cameron facility on Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Reston Association Headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Reston Community Center Executive Director Leila Gordon will describe the history of the project, explain the decisions that have been made so far, and outline what has been decided. She will then answer questions about the facility from the RCA Board and the public. For more information, email Colin Mills at cwmills47@hotmail.com.
Virginia Women in History 2013 celebrates Women's History Month with an award ceremony and reception on March 28, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. Call 804-692-3592 for more information. Exhibition, instructional materials, classroom activities, and nomination forms are available at www.lva.virginia.gov/vawomen.
Capital Reception for Delegate Ken Plum on Tuesday, April 2 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Peking Restaurant, 1302 East Cary Street in the Shockoe Bottom section of Richmond. Campaign contributions for the event can be made through ActBlue.
The Asian American Chamber of Commerce holds its Jewels of Asia Gala on Friday, April 5 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. at the Westin Tyson's Corner, 7801 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. The gala will feature cocktails, dinner, an awards ceremony, an auction, and cultural performances. Reserve your table or seat at www.asian-americanchamber.org/2013gala.
FY 2014 Fairfax County Advertised Budget: Town Hall Meetings
--Hunter Mill District Budget Meeting, Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna.
--Herndon Budget Meeting. Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m., Herndon Town Council Chambers, 765 Lynn Street, Herndon.
--Hunter Mill District Budget Meeting, Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m., Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna.
The Children's Science Center, in partnership with George Mason University, presents its spring Signature Event, Nano Days 2013: The Biggest Event for the Smallest Science on April 6, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at George Mason University. Learn about nanotechnology and how it impacts the world around us through hands-on family activities at this free event. Registration is required, and space is limited. Register at http://bit.ly/NanoDays2013. For more information contact the Children's Science Center at info@thechildrenssciencecenter.org.
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.
Reston Association will hold its annual Member's Meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Reston Association's Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. RSVP to annualmeeting@reston.org or call 703-435-6530.
24th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium, April 9-11 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. More information is at VMI Environment VA Symposium.
Empty Bowls Fundraiser for the benefit of Food for Others and hunger relief in Northern Virginia, will be hosted by the Giving Circle of HOPE, Friday, April 12 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon, VA. Minimum donation of $20 includes a bowl handcrafted by a local potter that you may keep, plus a meal of soup, bread, beverage, and dessert. Pre-event tickets can be purchased by mailing a check made out to Food for Others and sent to Giving Circle of HOPE, P.O. Box 8832, Reston, VA 20195. Tickets will be held at the door. For questions, contact emptybowls@givingcircleofhope.org or call 703-665-9334. Web address is www.givingcircleofhope.org.
Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. a cast of community actors from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax present a staged reading of "8", Dustin Lance Black's documentary play about the federal case for marriage equality. Spoonsored by EqualityUUCF as part of their ongoing efforts to bring the issue of marriage equality to the forefront in Virginia, the play will be follwed by a Q & A with marriage equality advocates. UUCF is at 2709 Hunter Mill Road in Oakton. Tickets are $10. Reservations at www.uucf.org
Help provide 30,000 meals to Stop Hunger Now! through the United Christian Parish Silent Auction and Rummage Sale, Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information or to make a tax-deductable donation for the auction or sale, contact Shelly Johnson at UCPauction@gmail.com. United Christian Parish is located at 11508 North Shore Drive in Reston.
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. For more information, call 703-435-6530.
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 the event beginning at 7:00 a.m. Enjoy the amazing Nature House facility, the place for environmental education in and around Reston! For more information, visit 10th Annual 5K Run.
Springfest Fairfax: Free family fun on Saturday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079. Springfest Fairfax includes pony rides, petting zoo, tree planting, farmer's market, arts & crafts, environmental workshops, music and games. For more information, go to www.springfestfairfax.org or call the Clean Fairfax Council at 703-324-5471, TTY 711.
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