September 9, 2015 


Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News




Delegate Plum recently led a tour of the Capitol in Richmond for members of the Virginia Civic Engagement Table.

Commentary  

Redistricting Reform Needed 
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
A federal court found Virginia's congressional redistricting to be unconstitutional because it diluted the strength of minorities in elections. Essentially the redistricting of 2011 packed black voters from Richmond to Norfolk in a single congressional district ensuring the probable election of one black representative while reducing the likelihood of another one being elected. The court rules on the fairness of districts related to their being numerically equal in size and in their treatment of classes of voters, but it does not take into account partisan advantages or disadvantages.
 
The federal court set a September 1 deadline for new district lines to be drawn by the General Assembly. The Assembly was unwilling or unable to draw new lines at least in part because any new map is likely to increase the Democrats' chances of winning more than the three of eleven congressional seats they currently hold. A special session called by Governor McAuliffe to take up the issue concluded without taking action. A proposal drawn up by the Democratic minority to address the issue of fair racial representation in the Tidewater and Northern Virginia areas was not considered by the House or Senate. Based on prior voting behavior by the people in these new districts, there would likely have been five Republican, five Democrat, and one swing district. Such an outcome is reflective of how the state has been voting in statewide contests.
 
This is not the first time Virginia has run afoul of federal courts on the issue of redistricting. As the state grows in size with developing metropolitan areas, those who controlled the legislature have been reluctant to give up their power to the newly emerging suburban and urban areas. Virginia was one of the states in the 1964 Baker v Carr decision establishing the principle of one man, one vote. After the 1981 census the Supreme Court threw out the redistricting three times before the legislature got it right. With the changing of district lines I had to run for office in 1981, 1982, and 1983. The same thing could happen again this year. The same rationale that makes the congressional districts unfair applies to the House of Delegates districts that are now being challenged in federal court. House members could have to run three years in a row just as in the early 80s if the case is successful. House of Delegates elections in 2016 in particular could be interesting as this is a presidential election year with greater voter participation.
 
It is human nature that political parties in power try to maintain their majorities through gerrymandering districts to their advantage. I first introduced a bill in 1982 that would have given the task over to an independent commission. Neither Democratic nor Republican majorities have been willing to pass it. Several states have such a commission, and I have continued to re-introduce the bill. I believe it is the only way to get fair, nonpartisan redistricting done. I support OneVirginia (onevirginia2021.org), a group that is working for this kind of reform that needs to be put into place right away.

 

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 (Verizon Channel 1981). Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference.

TONIGHT- Wednesday, September 9 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Kavya Kopparapu of the Girls Computing League
  
Tuesday, September 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 16 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Jaynee Acevedo and Debbie Smith of SHARE
 
Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266.


Bulletin Board

#SaveFCPS
Fairfax County Public Schools anticipates a budget shortfall of more than $100 million for school year 2016-17 (FY 2017). To balance the budget, FCPS may have to cut, reduce, or redesign academic programs. FCPS created a Budget Task Force to advise Superintendent Garza in developing the FY 2017 budget. Lend your voice to the process; share ideas for cost savings, increased fees, or potential revenues. Vote on others' suggestions, too. Register for a public meeting to share your thoughts:
  • Wednesday, September 9 at South Lakes High School from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 12 at Mount Vernon High School from 10 :00 a.m. to noon
 Or you can Submit Feedback online.
 
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6 Things to Know for Back-to-School 2015 

 

Click here to learn more!

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Your 2015 Car Tax Bill--What You Need to Know

Personal Property (car) tax payment is due by Monday, October 5. 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.

You may qualify for tax relief if you are at least 65 years old, or permanently and totally disabled, or are a disabled veteran, and meet income requirements. More information and forms are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta, or call 703-222-8234, TTY 703-222-7594. If you have a question or concern about your tax bill, contact the Department of Tax Administration, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 703-222-8234, TTY 703-222-7594, or email dtappd@fairfaxcounty.gov.

There are several convenient ways to pay. Note: In order to complete a transaction, you will need the last 4 digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN) and property number as shown on your tax bill. If you do not have a bill with you, you will need your DMV customer number and the last four digits of your vehicle's VIN. Visit Car Tax Information for more.   
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A Thank You to the Community for making this year's WorksSunday a success!
 
 Letter to the Editor

Calendar of Events  

Thursday, September 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Public Information Meeting on the Dulles Toll Road Bridges, in the Herndon Middle School Cafeteria, 901 Locust Street, Herndon. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host a public information meeting on the project which involves maintenance of five bridges over the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) in Fairfax County. Review project details at Dulles Toll Road Bridges, at the information meeting, or during business hours at VDOT's Northern Virginia District Office at 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax.

Thursday, September 10, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Clips Beer & Film Tour, at Reston Town Center. Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB) will receive all proceeds from the event, which will go towards making Fairfax a better place to bike. For further information and a chance to win VIP tickets, visit Clips Beer & Film Tour.

Friday, September 11 through Saturday, October 10, Day to Serve. Learn more at Day to Serve.  

September 12 through 25, Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, with over 50 events at 23 venues throughout Northern Virginia. Registration is open online at www.nvso.us or with a mail-in registration form. Forms are available at senior centers, community centers, senior residences, or by calling 703-228-4721. All participants must be 50 years of age by 12/31/15 and live in a sponsoring jurisdiction. Online registration deadline is September 4.

Sunday, September 13, Out of the Darkness Walks, sponsored by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Check in/registration at 8:00 a.m. Details are at Out of the Darkness Walks. 

Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Adventures in Learning Registration and Open House. At Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF), 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Cost is $40 for 8 week fall session offering current topics of interest: tai chi, bridge, yoga, current affairs, etc. Attend as many classes as you wish, Thursdays, September 24 to November 12. If you are unable to attend the open house, call the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna office to register, at 703-281-0538. 
 
September 19 to 27, World Road Cycling Championships to be held in Richmond. Visit richmond2015.com for complete information about the event. 
 
Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Book Club Conference, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Join book club members from around the area to learn about starting book clubs while networking with fellow readers. The day includes light breakfast, boxed lunch, and plenty of networking and discussion with fellow book lovers. Free. Sign up online at Book Club Conference.

Saturday, September 19, Constitution Day Celebration and Taste of Freedom Wine Festival at James Madison's Montpelier. Main gates open at 9:00 a.m.; event runs all day and concludes with fireworks at dark. Find information and purchase online tickets at Constitution Day.

Saturday, September 19, 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Dulles Day Plane Pull, at Dulles International Airport. Find all the details at Plane Pull.
 
Sunday, September 20, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Reston Historic Trust and Museum Family Fun Day, 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Museum at 703-709-7700 or restonmuseum@gmail.com. 

Sunday, September 20, Plum Family Picnic, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., North Hills Picnic Pavilion, North Village Road and Hollow Timber in Reston. Call 703-758-9733 for more information.   
 
Wednesday, September 23 through Sunday, September 27, Reston Friends Semi-Annual Book Sale, at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Hours and contact information here. 

Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26, 6th Virginia Immigrant Advocates Summit, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington. Learn more and register at Immigrant Advocate Summit. 

Saturday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Reston Multicultural Festival, FREE, Rain or shine, All ages. The Festival features a Naturalization Ceremony, International Book Fair, National Heritage Award Fellows, arts and crafts, food, entertainment, Art Mirrors Culture Exhibit, and family activities from around the world. Also includes the opening of the We Make Reston exhibit. See more at Multicultural Festival.

Saturday, September 26, noon to 4:00 p.m., Oak Hill Open House, 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road, Annandale. A free event for the whole family to enjoy the unique opportunity to tour the grounds and first floor of the house and celebrate local history. Download a flyer here.

Monday, September 28, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness Regional Housing Policy Forum, at AHC Headquarters, 2230 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington. More information is at Housing Policy Forum.

Monday, September 28, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Greenhouse Gas/Clean Power Plan Listening Session, Cafeteria of Fairfax County South County High School, 8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton. For more information, contact John McKie at 703-583-3831.

Wednesday, September 30, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., CarFit, at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department parking lot, 400 Center Street South, Vienna. Free. CarFit technicians work with older adults to ensure participants "fit" their own vehicles properly. They will adjust your car's safety features for maximum fit, comfort, and safety. To register, call 703-255-6360.

Saturday, October 3, Northern Virginia Pride Festival, at Bull Run Special Events Center, Centreville. Visit NOVA Pride Festival to learn more.

Monday, October 5, Reston Rescue's Nature Hike and Golf Tournament, at Reston National Golf Course, 11875 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. Registration and sponsorship information is at Reston Rescue. 

Thursday, October 8, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Reston Association hosts an Open House, formerly called Newcomers' Night, at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive at the RA Conference Center. More information is at 703-435-6530 or www.reston.org.

Monday through Wednesday, October 26 to 28, The Brady Campaign and American Public Health Association's National Summit, at the Dupont Circle Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Details and registration are at Brady & APHA National Summit.

Tuesday, October 27, Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VADP) regional meeting, at Northern Virginia Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. For more information, contact VADP at 434-960-7779 or office@vadp.org.
 

 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 
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In This Issue
Commentary..."Redistricting Reform Needed"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News


Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
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