October 9, 2013

36th District

Reston, Virginia

 

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Speaking to Armstrong Elementary School third graders. One asked, "Why is the government shut down?" Another replied, "The Republicans don't like Obamacare!"

Tomorrow: October 10 Meet the Candidates at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. Click here for more information.
    
Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News  
Commentary           

 

The Battle to Insure Everyone     

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Last week saw the beginning of a federal government shut-down--at least a partial shut-down. Even the most ardent of the angry fringe element that subverted the Congressional legislative process to cause the partial shut-down seemed willing to admit that there were some "essential" services of government that needed to continue. To be able to use the words "essential" and "government" in the same sentence is a step forward for some people who severely criticize government for whatever it does or does not do and for whatever happens or does not happen. There is still a wide chasm to bridge between what is considered necessary for the government to do and what should be left to individuals. Health care is at that juncture.

 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the law of the land that has been passed by the Congress, signed by the President, reviewed and approved as constitutional by the Supreme Court, and was a key issue in a campaign in which the President was re-elected by more than five million votes. While some would argue with the details of the Affordable Care Act, it is clear that as a country we have taken a stand that each individual is entitled access to health insurance regardless of whether their employer provides it. A small but vocal minority in the Republican Party disagrees and has decided to block the ability of the federal government to pay its bills as they try to get their way on stopping a law they have been unable to overturn in more than 40 attempts.

 

At the same time, the American people have crashed websites and tied up systems in their frantic rush to get into the program. Its difficulty to date has been its overwhelming appeal and acceptance. There seems to be a major disconnect between the people who re-elected the President and who are now flocking to get affordable health care and those who oppose him and the program. Events unfolding in the Nation's Capital are an excellent case study in how not to do business and the consequences of dysfunctional behavior in government.

 

Travel consultant Rick Steves wrote last week that Americans are about to get what Europeans have had for decades--affordable health care. Steves said, "It's amazing to me that in our great nation, about a fifth of the citizens are unable to afford health insurance, need to go to the emergency room for routine medical needs, and are terrorized by the specter of one serious accident or sickness wiping out their family financially....It is an embarrassment that so many Americans are brutalized by health-care costs."

 

The battle as to whether or not everyone will have access to preventive services and adequate health care has been settled. It is time for those who disagree with that decision to focus on ways to improve implementation of the ACA--not try to block the law from taking effect. At the state level, we need to enhance Virginians access to health care options with our own marketplace for health care services without being fully dependent on the federal government. We need to expand Medicaid to provide health insurance to 400,000 currently uninsured Virginians. It's time to move onward. 

 
ENROLL Virginia! has launched a toll-free phone number at 888-392-5132 and a website at www.enroll-virginia.com to help consumers find navigators, certified application counselors, and others who can provide unbiased and free one-on-one application assistance in every part of Virginia. ENROLL Virginia! encourages all uninsured people to explore their insurance options through www.healthcare.gov. A toll-free call center is also available 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 800-318-2596 (TTY users should call 855-889-4325.) 

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

 

Virginia ReportTune 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, October 9 at 10:30 p.m. - Phil Lilienthal, Bo Thokozane and Bongani Mnisi, Global Camps Africa, "Empowering Children for an AIDS-free Tomorrow"   

   

Tuesday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 16 at 10:30 p.m. - Rosemary Tran Lauer, Devotion to Children, "Decades of Decadence Benefiting Devotion To Children" 

 

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

 

Bulletin Board

VDOT Public Meetings

The Commonwealth Transportation Board will again conduct public meetings across the state in October and November 2013 to give stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide comments on  projects and programs to be included in the Fiscal Year 2015-2020 Six-year Improvement Program (FY15-20 SYIP), including highway, rail and public transportation initiatives. Meeting materials will be available online at fall meetings starting October 22. The Fall Transportation Meeting Schedule includes the following:
Tuesday, October 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m.- Open house displays and general discussion, 7:00 p.m. - Moderated public meeting at the VDOT Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax.

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Tax Holiday for Energy-Efficient Appliances

Virginia's Energy Star and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday is Friday, October 11, and lasts through Monday, October 14. Energy Star and WaterSense products are better for the environment, and have the added benefit of lowering your home's energy bills. Each qualifying product must cost $2,500 or less, have either an Energy Star or WaterSense label affixed, and be purchased for personal or noncommercial use. The Department of Taxation has posted guidelines, frequently asked questions, and a list of approved Energy Star and WaterSense items on its website at tax.virginia.gov. Online purchases of qualifying Energy Star and WaterSense products will also be exempt from the sales tax as long as the orders are placed during the October 11-14 exemption period and the sellers have the items available for immediate shipment.   

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Having Your Say on Expansion of Medicaid in Virginia  


NAMI--the National Alliance on Mental Illness--of Virginia encourages support of expanding Medicaid in the Commonwealth to open up access to many adults who are uninsured and do not have mental health care. The Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission (MIRC) has opened a public comment forum that allows interested parties to respectfully weigh in with input on the decision of whether to expand Medicaid. NAMI urges Virginians to take advantage of this powerful advocacy opportunity to raise concerns about access to mental health care and urge the MIRC to expand Medicaid in Virginia. Click here to go directly to the MIRC site to submit a comment. Deadline is Wednesday, October 16, 2013 before 5:00 p.m. to submit comments.

 

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 Absentee Voting

Fairfax County registered voters who will be away from Fairfax County on Election Day, or who are unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability, may vote by absentee ballot. Eligible voters may vote in-person prior to Election Day or apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to them. The absentee voting schedule, including dates, times, locations and deadlines is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee. 

Calendar of Events      

 

Today: Medicare 101, Wednesday, October 9, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Call to register: 703-324-5205.   

 

Medicare 101, Thursday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2708 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Call to register: 703-281-0538, TTY 711.   

  

Thursday, October 10, League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area hosts a Meet and Greet the Candidates from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Lake Anne Site of the Reston Community Center. Click here for more information.

  

Thursday, October 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Newcomer's Night, Reston Association, for more information, visit Newcomer's Night.      

The Moral Imperative for Environmental Justice, Thursday, October 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. An interfaith "Community Conversation" co-sponsored with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP). Jewish, Catholic and Protestant speakers will address the subject of environmental justice and its relationship with the faith community. At United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. Contact Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice for more information.    

 

Together on the Pathway to Wellness, Friday, October 11, 8:45 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Cost: $20. Ernst Community Cultural Center, Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. For more information, call Lara Larson at 703-324-7027, TTY 711. To register, visit online registration.  

  

Oktoberfest Reston, October 11-13, Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street. Information is at www.oktoberfestreston.com.  

 

The Governor's Conference on Energy, October 15-17, Greater Richmond Convention Center, sponsored by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Find more information at Governor's Conference on Energy.        

   

Policy Forum on Income Inequality, Thursday, October 17, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. More information is at Policy Forum on Income Inequality.    

 

Joint Community Meeting on Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Plan, Thursday, October 17, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Reston Association (RA), Reston Citizens Association (RCA), and the Association of Reston Clusters and Homeowners (ARCH) are sponsoring a community forum to discuss the progress of the Comprehensive Plan revisions for Phase 1 of the Reston Master Plan Special Study. Forum panelists will include Master Plan Task Force chair Patty Nicoson and Heidi Merkel of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning. More information is at Joint Community Meeting.   

  

Put the Zip on Homelessness Annual Jeans Day, Friday, October 18. Jeans Day Fairfax is an awareness campaign and fundraiser for ending homelessness in our community. Register your business or donate online. For more information, visit Jeans Day Fairfax.     

  

"Entertaining Angels," Friday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. at United Christian Parish. Film presenting the biography of Dorothy Day and her remarkable journey into spirituality. She founded the newspaper and movement known as the Catholic Worker, which advocated and helped the homeless and the poor. More information is at United Christian Parish Movie Night. 

  

James Monroe: Life and Legacy, Friday-Saturday, October 18 and 19, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University of Mary Washington. The Papers of James Monroe and the James Monroe Museum will present a two-day symposium exploring the life and legacy of James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States.  Visit www.umw.edu/events for details or contact Heidi Stello at hcarlson@umw.edu.   

  

Saturday, October 19, Fall Stream Cleanup, 9:00 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome. Rain or shine. Details are at stream cleanup.

  

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.

  

Hunter Mill Community Forum, Tuesday, October 22, 7:00 p.m.  Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins is hosting a community meeting to review the draft language for the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan that will guide development around the three transit station areas in Reston through 2030. The meeting will be held at South Lakes High School, Lecture Hall, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston. To reserve space or for questions regarding the meeting, contact Goldie Harrison, Hunter Mill District office at 703- 478-0283.  

  

Medicare 101, Thursday, October 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m., George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Call to register: 703-324-5205.  

   

Festival on the Square, Sunday, October 27, noon to 4:00 p.m. Reston Heights, 11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. For details visit thefestivalonthesquare.com.    

  

Help the Homeless Community Walk, Sunday, October 27, at 1:30 p.m. (Check in and t-shirt pick-up at 1:00 p.m.) At Festival on the Square at Reston Heights, 11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. All walkers must preregister online at www.hthwalks.org/goto/communitywalks. 

  

Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to vote by mail is October 29, 5:00 p.m.  Last day to vote in-person is November 2. More information is at Absentee Voting. If you are not registered, you can register online.

 

Fairfax Bike Summit, Saturday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at George Mason University. The topic of the summit is the importance of bicycling to the future of Tysons and other transit-oriented, mixed-use communities in Fairfax. More information is at www.fabb-bikes.org.   


Tuesday, November 5, Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit State Board of Elections.  

  

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, 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road in Fairfax. Fairfax Partnership for Youth is hosting the event to advance our community's awareness and motivation to prevent bullying and violence among youth and their families. More information is at www.fairfaxyouth.org.  

    

Saturday, November 16, A Taste of Fall with FACETS, at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Register at www.FacetsCares.org. 

  

Governor's Transportation Conference, December 4-6, 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..."The Battle to Insure Everyone"
"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.