Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – August 2, 2006

COMMENTARY

Priming the Economic Pump

Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

 

          When I was growing up, we did not have indoor plumbing. Very inconvenient. Particularly on a cold day. A hand-dug well near the corner of our house always had water in it except during the most severe drought, and it provided our water from a hand pump. The pumping action of the pump handle created a vacuum that drew the water up and out the spout. That is as long as the leather gaskets in the pump were adequately expanded to create a vacuum. Since the gaskets often dried out between pumpings, it was necessary to save some water in the bucket used to carry the water into the house in order to prime the pump, hence the term priming the pump.

          Clearly one of the factors priming the economic pump of our region in the 1990s and into this century has been the influx of foreign-born laborers. According to the National Business Roundtable, an estimated 44 percent of male workers entering Virginia’s workforce in the 1990s were immigrants and that “the national job boom of the 1990s clearly would not have been possible in the absence of these new record waves of immigrant workers.” (www.brtable.org) The General Assembly’s own Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) found in a 2004 study that Virginia’s foreign-born population grew at a higher rate than the U.S. as a whole, but the foreign-born population is still a smaller percentage of its population at 8.1 percent as compared with the U.S. average of 11.1 percent (http://jlarc.state.va.us.) According to the JLARC Report, certain occupational groups are highly dependent on the foreign-born labor force, including the hospitality and food services with 20 percent, construction with 18 percent, and waste management and other such services at 18 percent.

          The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region in conjunction with the Urban Institute issued the results of a study on immigrant tax contributions in the greater Washington, D.C. region (www.cfncr.org). Immigrant households in the region had a total income of $29.5 billion in 1999-2000, and they paid $9.8 billion in taxes. This represents 19 percent of the region’s total household income, and in spite of the fact that they tend to have lower paying jobs they represent 18 percent of all taxes paid. The website of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia (www.coopercenter.org) has a great deal of information on the immigrant workforce in Virginia. Contrary to popular belief, Asians are the largest foreign-born population in Virginia outnumbering Hispanics 42 to 34 percent. The largest group of Hispanics in Virginia comes from El Salvador (29 percent) and not Mexico (17 percent).

          Foreign-born workers are critical to keeping our economy running. My parents gave me the well pump after they installed indoor plumbing with an electric water pump. I turned it into a water feature on the patio at my home. It reminds me of the importance of priming the pump. Please let me know (kenplum@aol.com) if you ever want to stop by to see my pump.

 

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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report”

 on Reston Comcast Channel 28

 

 Tonight - Wednesday, August 2 at 10:30 p.m. – Wynne Busman, Associate Director, and Molly Hicks, Board member, Infant Toddler Family Day Care – “Meeting the Needs of Fairfax County’s Young Children”

 

Tuesday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 9 at 10:30 p.m. – Investigator Tom Polhemus, Fairfax County Police Department – “Fighting Internet Fraud”

 

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Statement of the Governor

 

Governor Timothy M. Kaine made the following statement this week about excessive heat in Virginia, encouraging businesses and individuals to take steps to minimize its impact:

 

“We expect to experience extreme temperatures across the Commonwealth…over the coming week. I am directing state employees to take simple steps to reduce energy consumption and urging citizens and private employers to do the same. I also urge Virginians to be mindful of the health risks brought by extreme heat, especially to the elderly, young and those burdened by health ailments.

 

“Every Virginian can help reduce energy consumption and protect their health by taking the following steps:

  • Telecommute when possible and consider using carpool and public transit options, especially during red and orange ozone alert days.
  • In state offices, close the blinds to keep out direct sunlight; when possible, turn off indoor lights and use indirect natural light.
  • Power off computers, monitors, printers, lights and other energy-using devices at the end of the work day.
  • Maintain an indoor air temperature between 76 and 78 degrees.
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day and wear light-colored, light-weight clothing.
  • Do not exercise outdoors except early in the morning or late in the evening, when the heat is not as intense as in the middle of the day.
  • Check on your elderly neighbors and those with young children to ensure they are getting through the heat.
  • Use thermostats and timers to maximize air conditioning efficiency and reduce energy use.
  • Stay informed about daily air quality through media reports or by visiting the Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage at www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality.

“By reducing energy waste and taking simple precautions, we can minimize the effects of this heat wave on our energy grid and our health.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Register for ACCESS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS – the 4th annual Multicultural Business Conference tomorrow, Thursday, August 3, The Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington. The conference runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For a complete agenda and registration information, visit www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com/atbs. RSVP your attendance to Jenny Rico at jennyrico2004@yahoo.com.

 

Learn effective networking techniques at “Nonprofit Networking,” a workshop designed for nonprofits staff and managers to meet with colleagues and share the challenges and opportunities of running a nonprofit organization. Wayne Hill of HILL Art Group will offer some great networking tips to practice and use at future events. This workshop, a program of the Community Services Committee of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, will be held Tuesday, August 8, at the Chamber’s office at 1763 Fountain Drive in Reston from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. This session is free and a continental breakfast is included. Only 45 seats are available. Register at www.restonchamber.org.

 

For the second consecutive year, Fairfax County’s Government Channel 16 has been named the best government access cable television station in the nation by the Alliance for Community Media. It is the fourth time the county has won the award in the Overall Excellence of Government Access category, with previous awards given in 1996, 1999, and 2005. The award covers the entire spectrum of Channel 16 programming, including government meetings, public service announcements, and informational programs about government services. Nearly 1,400 entries were submitted in the contest this year from the United States and Canada. Channel 16 is available in Fairfax County on the Cox Communications and Verizon cable systems and in Reston on the Comcast Cable system. Fairfax County Government Channel 16 video-on-demand is also available on the Internet at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cable/channel16/vod.htm.

 

Reston Interfaith and Kids R First need your help in collecting 4,000 new backpacks for children in need in the Reston/Herndon area. Please drop off new backpacks through August 12 at the Reston Interfaith offices at 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210 as follows: today to August 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; August 7 to August 11 from 9 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and August 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To learn more about donating backpacks, contact Meredith Young at 571.323.9566 or Meredith.young@restoninterfaith.org.

 

Ride in the 24th Annual Reston Century Bicycle Tour on Sunday, August 27, rain or shine, starting and finishing at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Riders can select from three routes of approximately 34, 65, and 102 miles. Registration is available online at www.restonbikeclub.org.

 

It’s time for PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’: 2005-2006 Virginia Grown Guide to Pick Your Own and Select Your Own Farm Products. Published by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, each listing gives the directions, hours, product information, contact names an dnumbers, email, and websites where available to some of Virginia’s best edibles. To obtain a free copy, visit www.virginiagrown.com or call 804.786.3951.

 

Persons who are delinquent on their car tax bills are encouraged to pay those bills sooner rather than later. Currently, vehicle owners only pay taxes on 30 percent of the car value on qualifying vehicles. However, due to changes in the Virginia car tax program, effective September 1 – or sooner if state funding runs out – delinquent taxpayers will be required to pay 100 percent of the full car tax on any outstanding balances for prior year taxes. To pay online or for more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta. For questions over the phone, call the Department of Tax Administration at 703.222.8234, TTY 703.222.7594.

 

Enjoy “Second Sunday Programs” at the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia. The program on August 13 will be “Civil War Soldier ID Tags” by Joseph Stahl, Civil War historian and collector. On September 10, attend the “African-American Education in Fairfax County” presentation by Phyllis Walker Ford, Chairman, Laurel Grove School Association, and Page Johnson, Fairfax historian and author. All “Second Sunday Programs” begin at 2:00 p.m. and are followed by informal discussion and refreshments in the Visitor Center.

 

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance invites you to attend its fall seminar, “Seeding Virginia’s Future: Finance for Emerging Businesses on Wednesday, September 6, 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Festival Center, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Accessing capital continues to be an overwhelming concern for entrepreneurs and existing businesses looking to expand. Topics will include early stage capital products to support high growth entrepreneurs and alternative loan products for businesses. The luncheon keynote will address early stage funding for business development, trends in angel investing and the importance of partnerships and mentoring for entrepreneurs and will feature David Rizzo, President & CEO of North Carolina Innovative Development for Economic Advancement. A resource fair for seminar attendees during morning registration and networking breaks will include federal and state programs, bankers, angel network representatives, and other financiers. Register online at www.dba.virginia.gov/form.asp. Click on the “Virginia Economic Development Seminar” link in the Upcoming Events section at www.dba.virginia.gov for event invitation, agenda, registration form and directions.

 

The Commonwealth Coalition has opened and staffed its office in Northern Virginia. Volunteer to help organize voters, businesses and community, faith and civic organizations united in their agreement to vote NO on November 7 on the so-called marriage amendment. Email Laura at lrobertson@voteNOva.org if you want to get involved in the effort in Northern Virginia.

 

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission has published An Introductory Guide to Recreational Trails in Northern Virginia, a comprehensive reference featuring information on 24 trails, including 19 maps. Each separate, trail-by-trail map insert includes three primary types of information: A narrative description of the trail; a map; and a trail elevation profile. Cost is $9.95. See www.novaregion.org.

 

A Rain Garden Workshop for homeowners will be held at Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park, Vienna, on Saturday, September 16, 8:30 to noon. Attendees will receive useful information and observe the construction of a small (home-sized) rain garden. 

 

Save the Date – Join Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association in celebrating its 30th anniversary on Tuesday, October 3, 6:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Contact Bridget R. Anderson for more information at banderson@culturalcommerce.com or call 703.759.4525.

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites you to join dozens of local businesses and hundreds of influential Northern Virginians in the fight against blood cancers. Participate in the Light the Night Walk in the Reston Town Center on Saturday, October 7, and help make a difference. Visit www.lightthenight.org/nca for more information.

 

 

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Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

 

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