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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – November 16, 2005
COMMENTARY
Mid-Course Correction Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
In what could be described as a mid-course correction, Virginia veered from its path toward extreme conservative domination to a more moderate state with the outcome of the election last Tuesday. The convincing election of Tim Kaine as governor in a race that was expected to be tight validates the moderate, centrist approach of Governor Mark Warner and is considered by many as being a repudiation of the Bush Administration. President Bush appeared on behalf of Republican candidate Jerry Kilgore on election eve signaling his interest in the outcome of the election. After all, Virginia is considered a “red state” having voted for every Republican president since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. The election can be considered a victory for Governor Mark Warner who is considered a candidate for President in 2008. Warner’s fortunes will only increase with the election of a governor who has made it clear that he will follow his lead in keeping the state fiscally solvent. The down-ticket positions of lieutenant governor and attorney general went into the Republican columns, but just barely. No one can consider a mandate from their squeaker results. Significantly, the greatest mid-course correction may be in the House of Delegates where the Democrats picked up a seat, and four of the most conservative Republican candidates lost. Delegate Dick Black of Loudoun County who was one of the leaders of the right-wing fringe element was decisively defeated and two of his protégées were defeated by Democrats Dave Marsden and Chuck Caputo in Fairfax County. Republican Delegate Brad Marrs in the Richmond suburbs who pushed his conservative views with arrogance and brashness that were offensive to members of his own party was defeated by an independent candidate who prior to the campaign was known as a moderate Republican. Another of the ultra-conservatives, Jeff Frederick of Prince William County, barely held his seat. With these election outcomes it should be much more possible to govern in a bipartisan way as Governor-elect Tim Kaine has indicated that he expects to do. The same kind of moderate, bi-partisan coalition that allowed Mark Warner to get his budget reforms passed in 2004 should be formed to tackle the difficult transportation challenge and the need to adequately fund education programs. Thank you to the voters of the 36th district for your clear vote of confidence for me to continue to represent you. I will work hard to maintain your confidence and trust. In the near future I will be conducting a survey on issues coming before the legislature during the 2006 General Assembly session. Please respond to the survey, and please come to my public hearing on January 3 with Senator Janet Howell at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.. Attend the county-wide public hearing held by the Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly on the morning of Saturday, January 7, 9 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Always let me know if I can be of assistance to you. Email me at kenplum@aol.com or call 703.758.9733.
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28
Wednesday, November 16 at 10:30 p.m. – Jane Anthony, Reston citizen and activist for the retarded – “Community and Institutional Residential Settings for the Retarded”
Tuesday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 23 at 10:30 p.m. – Maria V. Zimmerman, Reconnecting America – “Integrating Our Transportation Systems and Communities” * * *
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Journal of Race and Policy (JRP) is published by the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Subscriptions are available: $40 institution, $25 individual, and $15 student. Mail your request to the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, College of Arts & Letters, 347 Batten Arts & Letters Building, Norfolk, VA 23529.
The Virginia Board of Education will be revising the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia. These changes are the result of modifications to the federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), which were adopted last year. To learn more abut these changes and how they could affect Virginia’s children, attend a forum on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Davis Center (Entrance 8 or 7, adjacent to Marshall High School), 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Information and registration: 703.266.8391 or dmartin336@aol.com.
Fairfax County has teamed with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (www.rbrc.org) to provide rechargeable battery recycling at various locations in the county. Boxes to collect rechargeable batteries are located at each of the Board of Supervisor’s district offices, including the Hunter Mill District. A list of other locations sponsored by the county is provided at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/mat-bat.htm.
Tuesday, November 15, was Prematurity Awareness Day 2005, a day designated annually by the March of Dimes to focus national attention on issues related to premature birth. More than 12% of babies in the United States are born prematurely, which means born at less than 37 weeks of gestation. This can be as early as 23 or 24 weeks, the earliest cusp of survivability today. Learn more about this and other this and other issues surrounding pregnancy and newborn health by visiting www.marchofdimes.com.
Fairfax County has organized a Hunter Mill Special Study Task Force to determine the public’s vision for the Hunter Mill Road area. Remaining meetings of the Special Study Task Force are scheduled for November 30 and December 14, both at 7:00 p.m., at Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Drive. These meetings are open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board will hold Fall Transportation Meetings throughout the state to give citizens the opportunity to review and provide comments on projects and programs that are candidates for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2007-2012 Six-Year Improvement Program. The meeting in our area will be held on November 10, 4:00 p.m., at the Fairfax City Hall.
Join the fight to end homelessness by joining the Fannie Mae Foundation for its 18th Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon on Saturday, November 19, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., rain or shine. Register online through November 18 at www.helpthehomeless.org. Fee is $25 adults, $15 youth (age 25 and younger). You can also register on Event Day. See website for the Walkathon schedule and other pertinent information.
I will be speaking at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Policy Update held prior to the General Assembly session. This year’s pre-session Update will be held on December 9 at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce offices, 1763 Fountain Drive, Reston. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; continental breakfast is available. If you are a Chamber member, attend this information packed event to find out how election results will change the dynamics of the session and the future of the Commonwealth.
Super Sunday is a special day each year in which the Jewish community comes together for one day to raise funds that support and enrich the quality of life for Jews locally, in Israel, and around the world. This year Super Sunday is on December 11, 2005, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA. Volunteer to make calls or answer the phone. Learn more at www.supersunday2005.org.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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