December 2, 2015 
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News



 I will work for economic opportunity for Virginia families. 

Commentary  

Helping the Working Poor         
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 
 
In the season of giving when thoughts turn to what can be done to help friends and neighbors in the community who do not make enough to make ends meet, there are many efforts to help them with a basket of food at the holidays, a food and clothes closet and other well-meaning and important giving programs. With all the heroic efforts of volunteers, faith communities and nonprofits, such programs can be difficult to sustain and can be uneven in their level of support. They also put proud working people in a position of having to accept a hand-out. There is another solution for Virginia that can make a great deal of difference: let working people keep more of the money they earn.
 
Since 1975 the federal government has offered an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It is one of the largest anti-poverty programs in this country. Qualifying individuals and couples who are working but with limited income as defined in tax regulations may qualify for a tax credit and if they do not use all the credit can get a refund. For specific qualifications including income limits, go to www.irs.gov/EITC.

Nationwide, almost 26.7 million persons received more than $65 billion in EITC for the 2014 taxable year. The average EITC was for $2,447. In Virginia, 612,000 persons qualified for an average credit of $2,314.
The federal EITC has been very helpful to working poor Virginians. But the program as currently administered in Virginia goes only part way to helping working people. The federal calculations of EITC are used on the Virginia income tax form and credit is given to the amount of the tax liability. There is no refund of unused credit as with the federal income tax and in many states. I proposed legislation last session and will again in 2016 to make up to ten percent of the credit refundable.
 
There is a simple justification for such a change: putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families will stimulate the local economy as this money will be spent to pay for basic household and personal needs and services. It will also make the tax structure fairer for working people. According to the Commonwealth Institute, the lowest-earning families in Virginia pay 9 percent of their income in state and local taxes while the highest earners pay 5 percent. The 2013 transportation bill included sales tax increases that disproportionately impacted low-income families since they pay a greater share of their incomes in sales taxes than do the wealthy.
 
Enactment of a refundable state EITC could give a tax break to 296,000 Virginians of as much as $600 for a working family to use to keep food on the table and gas in the car. I hope the Governor will include a refundable EITC in his budget proposal. Your expression of support to the Governor and to your representatives in the General Assembly could lead to the working people of Virginia contributing to growth in the economy by spending money for which they qualify and for which they have needs.  
  

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,
December 2 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Gwyn Whittaker about a Green Diet  
 
Tuesday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 9 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with President Scott Ralls of Northern Virginia Community College
 
Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266 
  

Bulletin Board 

VDOT'S HELP IN STORE FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPERS 

Holiday signal-timing plans set for 14 shopping centers; travel displays updated at Tysons

 
Learn more at Holiday Traffic.
      
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3 Easy Steps to Report Streetlight Outages

  1. Look for the pole ID number, which can be found on the pole. Write it down or take a photo.
  2. If you can't find the pole number or if you notice a streetlight outage while driving, use the map below or the online streetlight locator tool to find pole numbers. Zoom in on the map to see streetlight locations.
  3. After finding the streetlight on the map, call the phone number listed or report it online in the link provided.
Learn more at Streetlight Outages.

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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Last tax season, low-income families in this area saved over $1.5 million in tax preparation fees by having their tax returns prepared for free by volunteers in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). These families received over $9.5 million in refunds and credits. The VITA program serves individuals or families with 2015 incomes of $53,000 or less. Classroom and/or online training for volunteers runs from December 2015 through January 2016. If you are interested in volunteering, or if you know someone who is eligible for the program, go to www.nvacash.org, call James Do at 703-533-5471, or email him at james.do@fairfaxcounty.gov.
 

Calendar of Events  
   
Now through December 22, Vale United Methodist Church of Oakton's Christmas tree lot is open. Proceeds from the tree sale will be donated to the global relief organization Stop Hunger Now. Vale Church is located at the corner of Vale Road and Fox Mill Road in Oakton (11528 Vale Road, Oakton). Hours are weeknights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 703-620-2594 or email vale.church@verizon.net.

Now through December 31, Meadowlark Gardens' Winter Walk of Lights, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, in Vienna. Tickets are available at Winter Walk of Lights.  

Tonight: Wednesday, December 2, 8:00 p.m., Black Nativity by Langston Hughes, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods - the CenterStage, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Embracing the spirit of the source Langston Hughes work, Black Nativity serves as a deep exploration of cultural identity, pride, and unity within the African-American community while also bringing a fresh voice to this holiday classic. Purchase tickets here.

Friday, December 4, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Holiday Shop Artists' Reception, Reston Museum, 1639 Washington Plaza, Reston. Reston Museum hosts the Reston artists whose work is in their holiday shop. Browse handmade scarves, hats, and table mats; hand-painted glassware and ornaments; jewelry; pottery; and specialty cards. Also available for sale will be a brand new beautifully illustrated book on Reston; martini and Bloody Mary glasses etched with Robert E. Simon, Jr.'s signature; Reston sweatshirts, tee shirts, hats and more. Contact 703-709-7700 or restonmuseum@gmail.com. 

Friday through Sunday, December 4 through 6, Abilities Expo DC Metro, at Dulles Expo Center. Learn more and register for free at Abilities Expo.

Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Alternative Gift Market, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston. Visit over 30 booths of socially conscious gift ideas from local and international charitable organizations. Check out the Shopping List on the website to see the 60+ gift options available. 100% of all donations and proceeds go directly to the charity of your choice. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, visit uureston.org/agm. Download a flyer here.

Saturday, December 5, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 17th Annual Gifts from the HeART to Benefit Cornerstones, at Reston Community Center Lake Anne's Jo Ann Rose Gallery, 1609-A Washington Plaza North, Reston. Artists display and sell original works of art in mediums like watercolor, mixed media, clay, photography, wood and fused glass. RCC Lake Anne becomes a festive marketplace of crafts, fine art and gifts as shoppers enjoy holiday refreshments while perusing the many tables of original artwork that include ornaments, paintings, note cards, textiles, pottery, and jewelry. All entry fees and 10% of sales are donated to Cornerstones to support their important work in the community. Details are at Gifts from the HeART. 

Saturday, December 5, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., The Wonder of the Season: Around the World. Celebrate the holidays with The Reston Chorale performing beloved carols from around the globe, plus Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata, featuring the Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet. The concerts will take place at the Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Tickets are available online or at the RCC Box Office, 703-476-4500 Ext. 3.

Tuesday, December 8, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Transform 66
Inside and Outside the Beltway Projects Public Meeting, at
George Mason High School Cafetorium, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Details are available at Public Meeting.

Wednesday, December 9, 7:30 p.m., Reston Sings! Handel's Messiah, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church (Chapel), 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. Join the chorus this holiday season with The Reston Chorale's annual Messiah Sing-Along, benefiting Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith). Bring a new or gently used coat--or new hat, gloves, socks or scarf--and receive $5 off the price of admission. Tickets and information are available online, or call 703-834-0079.

Thursday, December 10, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Tom Gjelten Conversation and Book Signing, Arlington Central Library,
1015 N Quincy Street, Arlington. Hear author and NPR correspondent, Tom Gjelten, discuss his latest book, A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story that features five immigrant families who live in Fairfax County. Sponsored by the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. See more at Book Signing.

Saturday, December 12, 4:00 p.m., A Celebration of Christmas Choir Concert, at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, 1615 Washington Plaza, at Lake Anne in Reston. Call the church at 703-471-5225 for more information. Download a flyer here. 

Monday, December 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Dulles Corridor Rail Association Annual Meeting and Reception. At Starplex Loudoun Station Cinemas, 43751 Central Station Drive, Ashburn. Details are at DCRA Annual Meeting. 

Saturday, December 19, 4:00 p.m., Holiday Play/Sing-Along, at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road in Reston. Free Admission, no ticket required, but space is limited. Accepting donations for Embry Rucker Community Shelter, which provides emergency housing for men, women, and children. Urgent need this season for gas station gift cards and Metro Smart cards, bottled water, new unopened toothpaste, brand-new socks for men, women, and children. More details are at Holiday Sing-Along.
 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 

There is still time to donate! Visit Blanket and Coat Drive for more information.
  
In This Issue
Commentary..."Helping the Working Poor"
"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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