Meddling in Others’ Business
Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

A recent issue of Roll Call (April 26, 2005) included a report, “State Pols Fight Congress on Funding, Mandates,” or as more commonly termed – unfunded mandates, “the wonky term for the imposition of federal requirements on states without providing the funds to pay for them. ”Historically the issue has been one of Democrats versus Republicans with the imposition of new requirements coming from the Democrats. In fact, one of the early actions of a Republican controlled Congress was the passage of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 designed to stop the practice.

But as Roll Call points out, the “tensions are back with a vengeance” between the states and this time with a Republican Congress. The federal education act, No Child Left Behind, has been at the center of the feud. While everyone agrees with the lofty goals of the Act, most educators agree that it is unworkable. But states must comply with its most onerous provisions or risk the loss of federal funds.

The Republican controlled Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution in 2004 asking Congress to change the No Child Left Behind law and in 2005 passed a bill authorizing the State Department of Education to seek waivers from some of its provisions. Utah went further and passed a law asserting the superiority of state education law over federal law. The Attorney General of Connecticut is suing the U. S. Department of Education on unfunded-mandate grounds.

Beyond mandates, there are other ways the Congress can meddle in state and local affairs. One recent instance that left many political leaders with their mouths hanging open in surprise was the announcement by Congressman Tom Davis that he was going to deny Metro the authority to sell some land at the Vienna Metro to a developer. A land-use plan approved unanimously by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors would have included the Metro parcel with some privately-owned land in a transit-oriented development of office and multi-use buildings and residences. The Congressman who lives in a neighborhood nearby with his State Senator wife did not like the plan. The stated objection was the density and traffic, but most point to the fear of too many Democrats moving into his district and into his wife’s district where her last victory was far from convincing. Whatever the reason, Davis as a former chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors knows that land-use issues are the prerogative of local government. Imagine our neighborhoods if the Congress starts making land-use decisions. The irony in this particular case is that the development will go forward but with potentially greater density because the Metro tract will not be used.

While mandates may be for popular causes and intervention of a higher level of government into local affairs may satisfy some groups of people, political leaders at all levels of government must resist the urge to meddle. There is ample to do at each level of government without interfering in the affairs of others.

Congratulations to the Board, staff, and families of Reston Children’s Center on the groundbreaking for their new building addition that will permit the consolidation of all programs at one location. Thanks to all involved for the announcement that permanent tiles will be installed in the new building honoring Delegate Ken Plum and Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.

Governor Mark R. Warner designed May 15-21, 2005 as Business Appreciation Week to acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments of existing businesses throughout the Commonwealth. “I join Governor Warner in congratulating and celebrating Virginia’s small businesses,” Delegate Ken Plum said. According to the 2002 census, Virginia is home to 128,850 business establishments with paid employees. March 2005 data from the Virginia Employment Commission shows that there are 3,721,291 employed workers in the Commonwealth.

Absentee Voting for the June 14 Democratic Primary – If you will not be able to vote in person in the Democratic Primary on June 14 and wish to vote absentee by mail, you must first submit an Absentee Ballot Application to the Office of the General Registrar. After processing the application, the ballot will be mailed to you. Applications are available at the county government centers, libraries, or can be downloaded from theFairfaxCounty website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/eb/absentee.htm. If none of these options are available to you, call Delegate Plum’s office at 703. 758. 9733 for an Absentee Ballot Application to be mailed to you. Applications to vote by mail must be received in the Office of the General Registrar ofFairfax County no later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2005. Eligible voters may also vote in-person prior to Election Day, at the Office of the General Registrar, FairfaxCountyGovernmentCenter,12000 Government Center Parkway, as follows:Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays – June 4 and June 11, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call 703. 222. 0776 to verify ballot availability before you go. Saturday, June 11, 2005, is the final day for in-person absentee voting in the Office of the General Registrar.

Don’t miss theBicycle Collection Drive on May 20. Donate new or used bicycles fromnoon to 3:00 p.m. in parking lot “B” of the FairfaxCountyGovernmentCenter,12000 Government Center Parkway,Fairfax. A $10 donation is requested to offset shipping costs. This donation and the value of the bicycle are fully tax deductible. Donated bicycles will be given to tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, farmers in Ghana, and a micro-enterprise project in Guatemala, among others.

The second annual Bike to Work Day celebration will be held inFairfaxCounty with rallies inReston,Vienna, and the GovernmentCenter on Friday, May 20, from 6:30 to9:00 a.m. Reston’s rally will be held at the RestonTownCenter pavilion. Throughout the morning last year over 220 bicycle commuters from around the Reston area gathered at the Town Center to celebrate bicycle commuting. This year’s event will feature food and drinks for cyclists, gift raffles every half-hour, and information displays from a number of local and regional organizations. Among the groups represented will be the Reston Association, the Friends of the W & OD Trail, Reston Bicycle Club, the Virginia Department of Transportation,FairfaxCounty government, and LINK. Great Harvest Bread and Whole Foods Market will provide food, and A-1 Cycling will provide raffle items. Thanks to Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins for distributing information to me and others about Bike to Work Day.

VDOT Roadside Management Regulations – Proposed Stage – Public Comment period May 16 through July 15, 2005. Proposed Regulation:Roadside Management Regulations, 24 VAC 30-121; to be published May 16 through July 15, 2005 for Public Comment Period. The Public Hearing will be on May 27, 2005, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Department of Forestry, Charlottesville,VA. Go to www.virginiadot.org/infoservice/rmr-rev.asp for more information.

Visit www.SchoolMatters.com for searchable information about public schools, school districts, and state education systems throughout the nation, including student achievement data, financial information, demographic breakdowns, tax base details and much more.

Final summary of the 2004-2006 amended state budget (House Bill 1500) is available at http://hac.state.va.us and then click on the “Documents & Reports” tab.

The Reston Farmer’s Market is open each Saturday through October 29 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. For a list of vendors, visit www.restonmarket.com. In addition to farm fresh produce, the market offers baked goods, milk, meats, honey, and kettle corn. “As a weekly visitor, I highly recommend the market,” says Delegate Ken Plum. “I’ll see you there. ”

Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22 – American Cancer Society Relay for Life at South Lakes High School. If you would like to join a team, call Delegate Ken Plum at 703.758.9733. No physical activity required in the Relay – just a willingness to help raise money for an important cause. Special dinner for cancer survivors will be held on May 21 at 5:30 p.m. Call Shari True for details at 703.937.1903.

Tuesday, May 24, 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 25, 10:30 p.m. – Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia Report on Reston Comcast Channel 28 – “Not On Tobacco” with Patricia Morningstar, Northern Virginia office of the American Lung Association.

Wednesday, June 1, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Spring Reception sponsored by the Dulles Corridor Rail Association at Sallie Mae headquarters in Reston Town Center. Governor Mark Warner will be recognized for his leadership on the Dulles rail project. For more information call 703.855.5068.

Thursday, June 2, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Anniversary Celebration Honoring Delegate Kenneth R. Plum at the historic Smith-Bowman House. Sponsorships and invitations available. Call 703.391.2978.

Saturday, June 4, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Clyde’s Strawberry Festival to benefit Nature House. Schedule and details at www.reston.org.

Saturday, June 18 – The Wolf Trap Gala, “The Art of Romance,” featuring Tony Bennett. Call 703. 255. 4030 for more information about tickets and sponsorship.