March 16, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News
 

Commentary  
 
A Circus Show 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 
 
Ironically Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus moved into the Richmond Coliseum for its annual stand at the same time last week that a few blocks away the General Assembly concluded its annual meeting and members packed up and went home. Circus promoters need to come up with a new theme each year to keep its patrons returning; this year's theme was "Extreme." Reviewers are likely to come up with very different assessments of the General Assembly session. It was not as extreme as some sessions, but as always there were some really good things that happened and some not so good.
 
Legislative sessions tend to be ponderous--nothing as exciting as a flying trapeze or person being shot out of a cannon. Progress in changing laws is made mostly in small, incremental steps. This session I am pleased that small steps were taken to reduce the flow of students going from the classroom to the courtroom. More emphasis will start to be given to providing alternatives for youth who misbehave but who should not be treated like criminals. Very small steps were made in gun safety by facilitating background checks for those not required to have one to purchase a gun but who volunteer to do so. My bill to require background checks for all purchases at gun shows was defeated. A new law will deny gun ownership for those against whom a permanent protective order has been issued. Persons who receive protection from the court through such an order will find an easier path to getting a concealed weapon permit, an idea I did not support.
 
School reform continues at a slow pace, but there seems to be a clear recognition that there is too much standardized testing. School systems struggling with their budgets will receive more state aid but still at a level below 2006. Economic development funds are increased which should help the super salesman Governor McAuliffe attract more businesses to the Commonwealth.
 
For the first time in history the legislature removed a Supreme Court Justice from office. The refusal to confirm Governor McAuliffe's appointee had nothing to do with the credentials of the justice who was acknowledged by all to be eminently qualified but had to do with personalities and struggles between the legislative and executive branches. A one-day discussion of the possible nomination of former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli brought a public outcry. The legislature in the end confirmed a new justice (without my vote) who is as ideologically conservative as Cuccinelli but not a political activist.
 
The biennial budget brought good news to many programs as the economic recovery has produced more revenue than in the past. Unfortunately, my bill to expand Medicaid coverage was not approved.
 
The purpose of the legislative session is serious business and not entertainment like the circus. There are times, however, that it may be difficult to tell the difference.
 
Information about legislative results from this session is at lis.virginia.gov/lis.


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 talked with Woody Evans of VCTA about legislative issues. 

View currrent show here. New shows resume next week.

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


Bulletin Board  

2016 FISH Fling Gala & Fundraiser


Saturday, April 23, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Hyatt Dulles Hotel
2300 Dulles Corner Boulevard in Herndon
 
Enjoy festive music, dancing, games and prizes, lively auctions, dinner, dessert and wine--all while helping a wonderful cause. Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. is a volunteer, nonsectarian, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help to local residents in short-term crises. FISH has assisted Herndon-Reston residents since 1969. Download a flyer for the event here. For more information on FISH, visit herndonrestonfish.org.

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Governor McAuliffe Unveils New Child Care Website

The new website, www.childcareva.com, provides easy-to-find child care information and materials created specifically for parents, providers and the general public. The site will serve as the online hub for the Virginia Department of Social Services in its effort to promote the importance of health and safety standards, as well as the benefits of quality child care in Virginia. Learn more at www.childcareva.com. 

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Walk to help more babies be born healthy!

March for Babies, on Sunday, May 1, promises to be a fun day out with people who share the passion for improving the health of babies. There'll be family teams, company teams and people walking with friends. Join the walk to raise money for babies right here in our community! To register, learn more, or ask questions, visit March for Babies. 



Calendar of Events      

Tonight: March 16, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m, Free Opening Reception for Mind, Heart, Vision student exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon. For more information, or to purchase sponsorships, visit ArtSpaceHerndon.org. Exhibit runs through Sunday, March 27. 

Beginning Today: March 16 to 20, The Virginia Festival of the Book. Visit vabook.org for details.

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, 8:30 p.m., 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 1-3, SingStrong a cappella music festival, at South Lakes HS Arts Center, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston. Details are at SingStrong. 

Saturday, April 2, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Spring Cleaning of Our Parks, a partnership between the Nature Conservancy and Fairfax County Park Authority to pick up trash at eight locations in Fairfax County. For more information or to register online, click here.

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
 
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In This Issue
Commentary..."A Circus Show"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar

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


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