August 28, 2013

36th District

Reston, Virginia

March for Jobs sign

Delegate Plum will be joining today's
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,
Wednesday, August 28,
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., marking the 50th anniversary of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech on the Washington Mall.

Delegate Ken Plum's

Virginia e-News

Commentary

Plenty of Money

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Reading a letter Governor McDonnell sent to state employees or listening to a speech he gave to the General Assembly money committees last week you could conclude that Virginia state government has plenty of money. He told both, "For the fourth straight year the Commonwealth will enjoy a budget surplus! We concluded Fiscal Year 2013 with a total budget surplus of $585 million, the largest since 2005. Over the full four years of my term, Virginia has enjoyed a cumulative surplus of nearly $2 billion--the highest cumulative surplus of any single administration." For a governor in the final months of the one term he can serve (being barred by the Constitution from serving consecutive terms), the Governor is given some latitude in hyperbole to try and establish a legacy for himself, especially in light of his other very significant problems. But as I have written each year at the time of the annual announcement of the "surplus," there is much more to the story. The so-called "surplus" is an unappropriated balance of revenue brought about by conservative projections of revenue in a time of economic uncertainty and deliberate actions on the part of the executive branch not to spend monies that were appropriated by the legislature. Of this year's ending balance of $585 million, $264.3 million came from higher than estimated revenues; $320.7 million came from monies that were budgeted but not spent.

Try telling people who are making out their checks for their son or daughter's college tuition and fees that the state has a surplus, and you may get a less-than-polite response. As the blog for the Commonwealth Institute pointed out, "state support for the state's colleges and universities is down 8 percent even while enrollment has jumped 24 percent. This cut in state support contributed to an astonishing 46 percent jump in average tuition and fees at Virginia's four-year public institutions during this period."

Local officials will show a similar reaction to any talk about a state surplus. School divisions throughout the Commonwealth have had to reduce staff and programs even with increased enrollments with the decline in state revenue. K-12 education that should be an equal partnership between state and local government has seen a steady decline in state support to the point that the partnership is now 60 percent local and 40 percent state even as there are more children in the schools.

State employees have some strong reactions to this illusionary surplus when their pension funds have been under-funded year after year, and the estimates of unfunded liability range from $15 to $50 billion. Insult and injury are added to public employees by the suggestion that they have somehow caused the state budget problems while their pleas for adequate annual funding of their pension programs have been ignored.

With a budget surplus in the state, parents of children in training centers wonder why the centers are being closed. Families with members in need of mental health services wonder why the wait. Tax critics wonder why taxes were increased for transportation if the state has a surplus.

What is the value of money leftover if critical needs are unmet and funding commitments are being ignored? If there is plenty of money, we should be spending it on programs and services that matter to the quality of life in the Commonwealth.

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

Virginia Report 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, August 28 at 10:30 p.m. - Barbara Englehart, Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), "Saving energy + money with higher performance buildings"

Tuesday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 4 at 10:30 p.m. - Cherie Lejeune, Fairfax Federation, "Livable Communities for the Aging"

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

TODAY

50th Anniversary of March on Washington

On August 28, 2013 citizens from across the U.S. will converge upon our nation's capital to commemorate and celebrate the historic March on Washington which occurred 50 years ago on August 28, 1963. For information and updates on numerous commemorative marches that are being planned throughout the country, visit 50thanniversarymarchonwashington.com. In addition, the site provides citizens an opportunity to leave their remembrances and pictures of the march that changed the world.

Election Officers Needed for November 5 Election

Qualifications include being a registered voter in the Commonwealth of Virginia and availability to work on Election Day. Election officers are paid $100 for working all of Election Day (approximately 16 hours); $50 for a half day (approximately 8 hours). Each election officer is required to attend a training class. To apply to become an election officer or for more information:

--Email elect@fairfaxcounty.gov. Include full name, current address, daytime telephone number, and your date of birth. This information is necessary in order to verify your voter registration.

--Call 703-324-4735, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Absentee Voting for College Students

College students attending school outside the county who want to vote in the Virginia November 5 General Election and are registered to vote in their Fairfax County home precinct can apply for an absentee mail-in ballot. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to vote by mail is October 29, 5:00 p.m.You can cast an absentee vote in-person from September 20 through November 2. For more information about absentee voting or qualifications, call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776 or visit absentee ballot information. The Virginia General Election is November 5 and will include elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and the House of Delegates. The deadline to register to vote in the November 5 election is October 15. If you are not registered, you can register online.

Bulletin Board

Fairfax County Public Schools to Open on Tuesday, September 3: Summer is coming to a close and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are preparing for the opening of school. For extensive details and reference information about the school division, its programs and services, and contacts for further information on a variety of topics, visit http://www.fcps.edu/index.shtml. For comprehensive information to help parents prepare for the upcoming school year visit FCPS's Back to School web site at www.fcps.edu/news/backtoschool.

2013 RCC Preference Poll Offers Six Candidates to Fill Three Vacancies: The Reston Community Center (RCC) Board of Governors announces six candidates for its 2013 Preference Poll. This year's candidates include two incumbents (Beverly Cosham and William Keefe) and four new candidates (Sridhar Ganesan, John Mendon�a, Michelle Moyer and Tammi Petrine). This year's annual poll seeks community guidance to fill three 3-year positions. Voting begins on September 13, 2013. Each property in small district 5 will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent (a pre-addressed envelope is provided with the ballot; postage is required) no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4. A Candidates Forum will be held on Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the CenterStage theatre at RCC Hunters Woods, located at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. For more information on the 2013 Preference Poll or Board of Governors, call 703-476-4500 or visit RCC's website at www.restoncommunitycenter.com.

Your 2013 Car Tax Bill--What You Need to Know: Personal Property (car) tax payments are due by Monday, October 7. The bill includes a $33 registration fee ($38 for vehicles in excess of 4,000 pounds, or $18 for motorcycles) regularly garaged, stored, or parked in Fairfax County. There is no county windshield decal to purchase or display. Residents living in Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna have additional decal and/or fee requirements. Contact your town for more information. You may qualify for tax relief if you are at least 65 years old, or permanently and totally disabled, or are a disabled veteran. More information and forms are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta. Avoid the last minute rush and get faster service. If you have a question or concern about your tax bill, contact the Department of Tax Administration Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at 703-222-8234, TTY 703-222-7594, or email dtappd@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Independent Living Project: Fairfax County's Independent Living Project is a free 6-week series of educational seminars, including exercise or yoga classes for strength and balance, and home safety visits for adults 60+ and adults with physical disabilities. The classes meet once a week for two hours. The next project will be at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, on Thursdays, September 12-October 17, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (On September 26, class will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m.) Additional follow-up services may be available in some cases after the project ends. Participation in the full project is advised. Space is limited. To register, call Jennifer Edge at 703-324-7210 or go to Independent Living Project.

Calendar of Events

Mosaic Harmony Concert for Global Camps Africa, September 5, 7:30 p.m., at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 1700 Wainwright Drive, Reston. Meet Camp Sizanani counselors and enjoy an evening of great music in support of Global Camps Africa. Buy tickets here or if you prefer to pay at the door, email Ann Granger at ann.granger@globalcampsafrica.org to reserve your seat.

Plum Family Picnic, Saturday, September 7, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the North Hills Picnic Pavilion in Reston.

Sunday, September 8, 9/11 Unity Walk; Registration begins at 12:00 pm at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb Street NW at Massachusetts Avenue. For more information, visit 9/11 Unity Walk.

What it Will Take to Make Transportation Regionalism Work, Thursday, September 12, 9th Annual Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance "What You Need to Know about Transportation" seminar. At Gannett/USA Today, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean. For additional information email info@nvta.org or call 703-883-1830.

Journey Through Virginia's Historic Homes Statewide Promotional Weekend Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15. For a list of the participating homes and specific details of each home, as well as their hours of operation click here. Don't forget to click on the "time travelers" link while on the site and print your passport in order to be granted free admission.

Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 p.m., A Place at the Table. The Northern Virginia Chapter of the Virginia Interfaith Center invites you to a free screening of A Place at the Table and a community discussion about hunger and poverty, particularly as it impacts children in Virginia. Refreshments and fellowship at 6:30 p.m., at the Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike. Free and open to the public. Download a flyer here and invite your congregation, neighbors and friends! Please consider bringing a canned food donation for a local food pantry.

Friday, Sept 20 at 7:00 p.m. United Christian Parish of Reston will be showing the film, A Place at the Table. UCP is located at 11508 North Shore Drive in Reston. This event is free. Please consider donating an item of food to go to a local food pantry.

September 20-22: The KORUS Festival brings together Koreans, Americans and other community members in the Washington, DC metropolitan area to celebrate Korean culture. Many aspects of Korea's vibrant and unique culture will be on display in the form of music, dance, food and on-stage performances. For more information contact Jennifer Oh at daavmedia@gmail.com.

Saturday, September 21, Ribbon Cutting for the new 2013 Midtown Community Mural located in the Reston Town Center, 10:00 a.m. to noon, followed by a 1:00 p.m. artist seminar.

Governor's First Biennial Natural Resources and Energy Law Symposium on Monday, September 23 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA. Symposium addresses "The Future of Energy" and brings all sides together for rational discussion about legal barriers and solutions to some of the country's most pressing energy challenges. For more information, visit Governor's Natural Resources and Energy Law Symposium.

Thursday, September 26, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 2013 Vendor Forum. Small business owners and those interested in starting a small business in Fairfax County should plan to attend the 2013 Vendor Forum at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. More information can be found at this link: Vendor Forum.

Saturday, September 28, Reston Multicultural Festival, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston. The festival is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit that is found in Reston. Everyone is encouraged to dress in attire from their own cultural roots. Information is at www.restoncommunitycenter.com/MulticulturalFestival.

Saturday, October 19, Reston Home Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With tickets purchased from Reston Museum, you can tour the inside of five outstanding private homes in Reston's unique neighborhoods. All proceeds benefit Reston Historic Trust which operates Reston Museum. Visit Reston Museum for details.

Wednesday, October 2, 8:30 a.m. to noon, A Policy Path to Double Energy Productivity: State and Local Success Stories. Russell Senate Office Building, Room 325, Washington, DC. Register here.

Saturday, November 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Ninth Annual Fairfax County History Conference, "Voices for Freedom: Abolitionists, Oral History and Documenting the Past." At the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. For more information, contact Lynne Garvey-Hodge at 703-322-1811 or lynnegarveyhodge@verizon.net.

Wednesday, November 13, Bullying and Violence Prevention Symposium at Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road in Fairfax. The keynote speaker will present research on emotional regulation difficulties and evidence-based therapies, with a panel discussion on effectively training youth to understand and manage their emotions to reduce conflict and aggression. More information is at www.fairfaxyouth.org.

Saturday, November 16, A Taste of Fall with FACETS, at Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Register at www.FacetsCares.org; early bird ticket pricing ends Friday, September 20.

Governor's Transportation Conference, December 4-6, 2013, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street, Richmond. Visit www.vatranscon.com for further information and to sign up to receive conference updates.

In This Issue

Commentary..."Plenty of Money"

"Virginia Report" on Comcast Channel 28

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.**