March 9, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News

Meeting with education advocates from Fairfax County about increasing funding for our schools. (L-R Andrea Mayer, Del. Plum, Kimberly Adams, Cindy Kirby)

Commentary  
 
Balancing the Budget 
 
 
  
 
  
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 
 
One of the responsibilities of the Governor of Virginia dictated by the State Constitution is to propose a budget for a biennium. With the governor being limited to one four-year term, the current scheduling of the two-year plan for state revenues and expenditures is awkward. A newly elected governor takes office inheriting a budget left by the preceding governor; likewise the final budget proposed by a governor is implemented by his or her successor. The mid-term budget takes on special significance as it is the only one proposed and implemented by a governor. The significance of this budget was clearly not lost on Governor McAuliffe. Of course, in all instances the budget must be approved by the General Assembly.
 
Both the House of Delegates and the Senate made amendments to Governor McAuliffe's budget. In a ritual that happens each even-numbered year when the General Assembly meets in a "long" or 60-day session to consider the biennial budget, both houses have appointed conferees to work out the differences among the two houses and the governor. The conference report once approved by both houses and signed by the governor becomes the state's budget for the next two years beginning on July 1, 2016. For a comparison of the governor's, House and Senate budgets, go to Budget Policy Choices.
 
With growth in the economy the budget proposed by Governor McAuliffe and approved by the General Assembly will for the first time in history exceed $100 billion. While that number is huge in absolute terms, it is modest when Virginia as the tenth wealthiest state in per capita income is compared to other states. Virginia's state and local revenue as a percentage of personal income is 49th lowest among the states. The Commonwealth's per capita state general fund expenditures are in the middle of the other states at number 25 with $2,168. The national average is $2,496.
 
Specifics of the conference committee report will be announced this week, but already the general outlines of the budget are clear. Priority was given by the governor and by both houses of the legislature to increase funding for public schools. Localities will be receiving more for K-12 education that will move the state closer to its level of funding prior to the 2008 recession. The net new dollars to Fairfax and other localities will help balance local budgets but will not resolve all funding needs in local schools. Likewise, increased funding for colleges and universities will reduce the need for large tuition increases. An increase in ID/DD slots will make a small dent in the waiting list for persons in need of special services.
 
The greatest disappointment in the budgetary process is the refusal on the part of the majority in the House and the Senate to approve Governor McAuliffe's proposal to expand Medicaid in the state. The program expansion paid for by federal funds would have insured as many as 400,000 working poor people and would have freed up more than $250 million in state dollars that could have been spent on meeting other needs. Budgets are always about making choices. Too bad we chose to pass up this opportunity.

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28
  
Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming (Verizon Channel 1981). During the General Assembly session, Ken talks with Woody Evans of VCTA about legislative issues. 


Previous Virginia Report shows are available for viewing online at vimeo.com.    

Bulletin Board  


Visit vabook.org for details.
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SingStrong is a weekend-long a cappella music festival featuring groups from around the world performing every style under the sun, from barbershop to doo-wop, pop to jazz, beatbox to overtone singing and beyond. Profits support local music programs and the fight against Alzheimer's. Learn more at 
SingStrong. 

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Spring Cleaning of Our Parks
On Saturday, April 2, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, the Nature Conservancy is partnering with Fairfax County Park Authority to pick up trash at eight locations in Fairfax County. 
  • Hidden Pond Nature Center in Springfield
  • Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria
  • Lake Fairfax Park in Reston
  • Riverbend Park in Great Falls
  • Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly
  • Sully Historic Site in Chantilly
  • Lake Accotink Park in Springfield
  • Cub Run RECenter in Chantilly
The volunteer effort provides a healthy checkup for local waterways by removing tires, plastic bottles, cans and other debris and preventing trash from reaching the nation's largest estuary--the Chesapeake Bay. Recording what is removed will help scientists, ecologists and conservation organizations in their efforts to improve our environment. Following the volunteer work there will be free, fun events like hikes, campfire programs and historic home tours. For more information or to register online, click here.

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MIND, HEART, VISION
Spotlight Shines on Student Creativity, Expression and Collaboration
ArtSpace Herndon presents the 6th Annual Mind, Heart, Vision Exhibit showcasing extraordinary artworks of Herndon High School art students embarking upon their senior thesis. The exhibit includes computer graphics, fine art photography, and studio art. In a collaboration with Herndon High School's Art Department, ArtSpace Herndon provides students with this unique opportunity to have their juried artwork displayed in a professional gallery. The student artwork on exhibit will also be available for purchase. Mind, Heart, Vision is on exhibit Tuesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 27, 2016. The public is invited to the free Opening Reception on March 16, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. For more information, or to purchase sponsorships, visit ArtSpaceHerndon.org. 


Calendar of Events      

Tonight: Wednesday, March 9, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., I-66 Inside the Beltway: Design Public Hearing. Visit Transform66.org to view a live stream beginning at 6:30 p.m., VDOT Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax. Details are at Design Public Hearings.

Wednesday, March 9, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., "Pardon Our Dust" Meeting on Route 7 Bridge Rehab, at Colvin Run Elementary School, 1400 Trap Road, Vienna. Details are at Route 7 Bridge.

Thursday, March 10, Last day to donate gently used books for kids in Grades K-6 to the Aldrin Elementary and HoneyBaked Ham of Reston Partnership Book Drive. Donation bins are located in the main portion of the store. Call the store at 703-733-3860 with questions. 

Thursday, March 10, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Rescue Reston Paint the Town Green Paint & Sip Event, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Enjoy appetizers, beverages, and camaraderie while being led in painting a 16x20 painting of a weeping willow tree. No experience necessary. $20 of the admission fee will be donated to the legal defense fund to protect the 166 acres of green recreational space at Reston National Golf Course. Find details and register here. 

Thursday, March 10, 7:00 p.m., The Cartography of Northern Virginia, presented by Reston Historic Trust and Museum, at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery, Reston Community Center Lake Anne (1609-A Washington Plaza). Come learn about early settlements and roads in our area and how the Northern Virginia region took shape from 1608 to the mid-nineteenth century from speaker Shelley Mastran, Chair of the Board for the Reston Historic Trust and Museum and holds a PhD in Geography. No reservations or tickets are needed for this event. Email restonmuseum@gmail.com with questions.

Thursday, March 10, 7:00 p.m., Reston Association Candidates' Forum, at Reston Association (RA) headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. The forum to help members learn more about the candidates for open Board of Directors seats will also be streamed live on the RA YouTube channel. Visit Board Election for more information, call 703-435-6512, or email questions to electionscommittee@reston.org.

Sunday, March 13, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 3rd Annual NoVa Mini Maker Faire, at South Lakes High School and Langston Hughes Middle School, Reston. Details are at NoVa Mini Maker Faire. 

Sunday, March 13, 4:00 p.m., The Reston Chorale presents Choral Splendor II at Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean. The concert will feature a rare performance of Charles-Marie Widor's magnificent Mass, Op. 36, as the composer intended: with two organs and two choirs. Also included: works by Dupré, Fauré, Franck, Messiĉn and Sweelinck. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. For more, visit 

Thursday, March 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Public hearing on Wiehle Avenue at W&OD Trail Pedestrian Improvement Project, at Reston Community Center at Hunter Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Details are at http://1.usa.gov/24rO8bf. 

Saturday, March 19, Earth Hour, A worldwide celebration uniting people to protect the planet. Find out more at Earth Hour 2016. 

March 22-23, 2016 Resilient Virginia Conference, Richmond. Learn more at http://resilientvirginia.org/. Register here. 

Wednesdays, March 23 to May 11, 2:15 p.m. to 3:40 p.m., Aging Well in Reston (55 years and older), at RCC Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza North, Reston. Cost: $45 (Reston) $90 (Non-Reston) (500452-6A * Registration Required). This lecture series helps residents discover why to stay in or move to Reston as you enjoy your retirement years. Some of the topics will include resources for remaining in your own home, opportunities for intergenerational community involvement, and the village living concept. Register at www.restoncommunitycenter.com. 

Thursday, March 24, 6:30 p.m., Screening of documentary film "Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston" at the National Building Museum. Register at Another Way of Living.

Saturday, March 26, Last day to donate formal dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, scarves, shawls, and accessories to Diva Central. Drop off at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. Download a flyer here. 

Thursday, March 31, 11:00 a.m., "Destination Rides" Information Session, NV Rides-Reston will host a one-hour information session to learn about issues facing non-driving seniors in our community, at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. This is a free event; you will not be asked to make a financial contribution. For information or to RSVP, contact NV Rides at 703.537.3070 or GinaC@NVRides.org. More is at www.NVRides.org.

April 5-7, Environment Virginia Symposium, at VMI's Center for Leadership and Ethics, one of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's Virginia Green Convention and Conference Centers. Find more information about the symposium and register at Environment Virginia Symposium.

Friday, April 8, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Empty Bowls fundraiser to help fight hunger and food insecurity in our community. At Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road in Herndon. Further details are at Empty Bowls.

Saturday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Living Well, Aging Well Summit, at Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Free event, for older adults & people with disabilities. Download a flyer here. Register here.

Saturday, April 23, noon to 6:00 p.m., Diva Central Event, at Reston Community Center Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza. The one-day event is open to any current high school student who is in need of a prom dress and other accessories. Everything is absolutely FREE. Limit one dress per person. Download a flyer here. 
April 23 to 30, Historic Garden Week, House & Garden Tours Offered Statewide. Learn more at vagardenweek.org

April 25-26, National Reduce Tobacco Use Conference, showcasing the latest in tobacco-use prevention, reduction, and cessation with youth and young adults. For more information, visit reducetobaccouse.org. 

Saturday, April 30, Fairfax CASA Run for the Children Race, Starting Time: 8:00 am., at the Fairfax County Courthouse complex. Features music, food, prizes and raffle items. Raises money to help Fairfax CASA volunteers advocate for those children under the court's protection. Details are at Run for the Children.   

May 21 to 22, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Relay For Life of Reston, at South Lakes High School. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. More information is at Relay for Life. 
 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 

In This Issue
Commentary..."Balancing the Budget"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar

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


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