May 18, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News

   I joined South Lakes High School students in pledging to not text and drive. Join us at www.itcanwait.com/pledge.

Commentary

Keeping Tabs on the Commonwealth     
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Last week I attended my first meeting as a member of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). I have admired the professional work of JLARC since it was established in 1973 to evaluate the operation and performance of state agencies. JLARC performs its duties in three major work functions: studies, oversight and fiscal analysis, and support. The Commission is made up of nine delegates and five senators, but the actual work of the oversight arm of the General Assembly is done by a professional staff. Major topics of research are developed and approved by the General Assembly and sometimes by the Commission. There are more topics proposed for study than there are staff or time to pursue.

Our meeting last week followed the Commission's usual procedure of adopting a work plan for the year. Some of the items on the work plan are continuation of studies started last year as the magnitude of many studies take more than a single year to complete. Among the studies that will be completed in June of this year is one related to the state's procurement and contract management system. Last year Virginia agencies procured goods and services through contracts worth over $6 billion. The study is looking at whether the state oversight, policies and procedures are ensuring maximum value for the dollars being spent and whether risks to the state and the public are adequately covered.

A continuing study that will be reviewed this year relates to managing costs of the Medicaid program. As people live longer and as health care costs in general continue to increase, spending on Medicaid has increased at a pace greater than all other items in the budget. In FY15 Medicaid spending exceeded $8.2 billion of which half is reimbursed by the federal government. The challenge is to appropriately control costs without compromising the quality of health care. This does not directly relate to the coverage gap of working poor people for whom the federal government would pay full cost. I do hope that the results of this study might cause the legislature to more objectively consider expanding Medicaid.

A new study for which I am particularly excited is that of early childhood development programs. It will look at the relative cost effectiveness of current programs and the potential for future cost-effective programs. Demonstrating the breadth of programs studied by the Commission is a study of applied biosolids in agricultural use and the use of industrial residuals. The Commission also receives directly reports of the Auditor of Public Accounts.

Copies of past reports on studies conducted by JLARC are available on their website: (jlarc.virginia.gov) as are agendas for its monthly meetings. I have always used their reports in my decision making as a legislator, but I look forward to learning even more details as an actual member of the Commission. The work of JLARC should give assurance to citizens that someone is keeping tabs on Virginia government.
 
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, May 18 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Bert Green of SolarMill
    
Tuesday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Molly Sheets of the Virginia High School League Student Leaders Conference

Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at
www.youtube.com/watch. Previous shows can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266. 



Bulletin Board

Proposed Meals Tax: What To Know Now

Should we have a meals tax in Fairfax County? On June 7, the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on placing that question on the November 8 election ballot. If the Board approves the referendum, then on Election Day you will be able to vote yes or no on a meals tax in Fairfax County. More information is at Meals Tax.

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Fairfax County Library Board Urges County Residents 
to Take Survey

The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees is urging county residents to take a brief survey about the services and resources the public would most like to see offered by their local public library. The online survey, which is available through Tuesday, May 31, is part of a public engagement initiative that Fairfax County has launched to obtain comprehensive feedback about library services from residents. It follows three community forums held during March and April as well as stakeholder meetings and focus groups.

Take the survey here.
  
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ESOL Classes Available
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced informal classes to help learn conversational English for everyday situations; learn how to interview for jobs; improve your written English; get ready for the TOEFL, GED, and college admissions. All you need is pencil and paper! Every Tuesday, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. In Rooms 113, 114, 115; Please use sanctuary entrance. Call (703) 620-3065 for more information. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Download a flyer here.

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Early Bird Tickets to Celebrate Fairfax! 
Now on Sale




The Celebrate Fairfax! Festival will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center June 10-12, 2016. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit Celebrate Fairfax!. 




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Virginia Wine Festivals 
Virginia is a "Commonwealth of Wine" with more than 250 wineries dotting the landscape. Virginia is a wine destination unlike any other with lavish scenery, breathtaking views, warm small towns and monumental historic sites. Check out upcoming wine festivals here.



Calendar of Events   
 
Tonight: Wednesday, May 18, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Movie Night at GreenFare: 'PLANEAT' over dinner, GreenFare, 408 Elden Street, Herndon. Meet others in the community who share your interest in healthy eating to transform lives and regenerate the environment while enjoying a delicious whole plant meal prepared with local, seasonal, organic ingredients. Purchase tickets here.

Tonight: Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 p.m., An Interfaith Panel Discussion On Peace And Justice, "One God, Three Paths: Working Together Towards Peace and Justice." At the Activities Center at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road in Vienna. For additional information contact Ann Ramish at ramishteam@outlook.com.
 
Friday, May 20, Bike to Work Day. Register and learn more at Bike to Work Day 2016.

May 20 to 21, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) Heritage Plant Sale. Free admission. Details are at Heritage Plant Sale
 
Saturday, May 21, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., TedxHerndon, at Herndon Middle School, 901 Locust Street, Herndon. Learn more at TedxHerndon. 

May 21 to 22, 2016 Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, at Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) and Reston Town Center. This eleven-block art walk will be filled with more than 200 artists from across the nation who will exhibit and sell original paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and fine crafts. Plus, see dance performances in the parks, enjoy free art-making activities for families in the Pavilion, periodic live music, and more throughout the weekend. Details are at Fine Arts Festival.

May 21 to 22, 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. 

Monday, May 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project Public Hearing, Oakton High School Cafeteria,
2900 Sutton Road, Vienna. More details are at Public Hearings.

Tuesday, May 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project Public Hearing, VDOT Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax. More details are at Public Hearings. 

Saturday, May 28, 2:00 p.m., Reston Chorale's Star-Spangled Sing-Along and Care Package Drive for the Troops, at Reston Town Center's Pavilion. Free family event to salute the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Event will include patriotic music, activities for children and a care package drive for troops deployed overseas. For more information, including suggested care package items, visit www.RestonChorale.org. Care package donations will also be accepted on weekdays through May 27 in the lobby of 11951 Freedom Drive, Reston, as well as other Reston Town Center office buildings.

Friday, June 3, Last day for comments on the Countywide Transit Network Study. Learn more at Transit Study.  
 
Saturday, June 4, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Clean the Bay Day. Clean the Bay Day is a true Virginian tradition and an annual opportunity for the whole family, office, civic or church group--anyone--to give back to local waterways. Learn more about the event at Clean the Bay Day. Register for the Reston event here.

Tuesday, June 7, Deadline for Herndon Town Calendar Photo Competition. Details are at 2016 Herndon Town Calendar Photo Competition. 

Saturday June 11, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 2016 Disability Resource Fair hosted by ServiceSource, at Disability Resource Center, 10467 White Granite Drive, Oakton. The Fair brings together the best disability resources in one easily-accessed location and provides personal access to experts in the disability field. Resources, nonprofit partners, and vendors cover a range of disability topics including children, autism, aging, and veterans. If you have questions or require special accommodations, email communications@servicesource.org.

Sunday, June 12, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday Afternoon Dance, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. Dancers (55 years and older) of all skill levels are welcome to foxtrot, swing, cha-cha, and waltz. Includes three mini-lessons, door prizes and light refreshments; partners are not required. Cost is per session and payable at the door ($5 Reston/$10 Non-Reston). For more information, contact Karen Brutsché, 55+ Program Director at 703-390-6157. See more at Sunday Afternoon Dance.

Wednesday, June 15, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Medicare 101, Training for individuals who will soon be eligible for Medicare and want to learn about their options. The session will provide an overview of the many components of Medicare: Part A (inpatient hospitalization/skilled nursing), Part B (outpatient hospital/ doctors/labs/radiology), Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans), and Part D (prescription drugs), as well as how to cover the gaps in Medicare benefits through Medicare Supplement Plans. Free but registration is required. Register here.  
 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 
In This Issue
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar
Commentary..."Keeping Tabs on the Commonwealth"

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
 and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum.