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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – August 16, 2006 COMMENTARY
The Magic of Relieving Traffic Congestion Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
Performing magic tricks was an early hobby of mine. Watching magicians on the Ed Sullivan Show was a television highlight. Making my own tricks following instructions in a book of magic was great fun when I was young, and in later years I actually invested in some “professional” magical apparatus. Learning how simply some otherwise baffling tricks were done took away some of the pleasure until you saw the amazement and wonderment on the faces of those before whom you performed. In the political world, leaders are often called upon to perform some magic. To solve a problem that seems to have no solution. To untie a knot of an issue that seems forever to be bound up. Virginia legislators will be expected to perform some magic to relieve traffic congestion in a special legislative session on transportation likely to be held in September. Several different experts who have looked at the funding of the transportation system in Virginia have concluded that about a billion new dollars are needed each year in a stable and reliable funding stream with about half that amount needed additionally in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Many attempts to provide some or all of that funding proved unsuccessful in the regular legislative session earlier this year. During the past six years, funding in the Secondary Road Program in Fairfax County has been reduced by nearly two-thirds. The current program includes only $78 million in road investments in Fairfax County, an average of $13 million per year. Adding to the uncertainty of the outcome of the special legislative session are the results of a statewide Mason-Dixon poll announced recently. According to the non-partisan, scientific poll conducted for the Richmond Times Dispatch, voters generally oppose additional taxes even if the revenues are dedicated to transportation by a margin of 50 percent opposed, 39 percent favor, and 11 percent undecided. Of the specific tax proposals that have been mentioned for transportation, respondents opposed them by as much as 59 percent to 86 percent. Bond financing of roads was rejected by 53 percent of those surveyed, and 52 percent opposed cutting state spending in other areas to use the money for transportation. The only funding solutions supported by the survey respondents were regional taxes for specific projects supported by 50 percent and opposed by 43 percent; 49 percent support tolls on some interstate highways while 46 percent opposed them. The “trick” for legislators is to decide how to improve the transportation system without public support for additional revenue. Does the state sell off some of its assets for some immediate cash? Add tolls on more roads? Use some existing general fund monies for transportation? Use innovations like flextime and telework? Please share your opinion with me on my “Special Transportation Survey 2006” on my website, www.kenplum.com. Call 703.758.9733 to request a written copy of the survey. Past experience indicates that my constituents often do not agree with statewide poll results. Please let me hear from you soon. The General Assembly is being asked to pull off some magic greater than it has shown the capacity to do in the past.
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* * * Dates are Set for the Next Several “Rebuild Biloxi” Trips:
September 14 – October 6 October 28 – November 18 January 5 – 27, 2007
To sign up or get more information, email jguerra@habitatnova.org or phone 703.521.9890 x 105. If you want to know more about the experience of working in Biloxi, contact kenplum@aol.com. Ken and Jane Plum worked in Biloxi for a week in July and would be pleased to share information and experiences with you.
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, August 16 at 10:30 p.m. – Eric M. Oliver, EMO Energy Solutions – “Building Green”
Tuesday, August 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 23 at 10:30 p.m. – Lawrence H. Nelson, Trafficland – “Traffic Views Through Technology”
* * * ANNOUNCEMENTS
Virginia placed first among the 50 states in a new ranking of the “Best States for Business” by Forbes.com, the official Internet site of the Forbes family of business publications. The review considered multiple objective measurements, including business costs, regulatory climate, quality of the workforce, and recent economic growth. The article can be viewed at http://www.forbes.com/home/business/2006/08/15/virginia-business-climate_cz_kb_0815virginia.html. Texas was ranked second, followed by North Carolina, Utah, and Colorado. Idaho, Nebraska, Delaware, Florida, and Georgia rounded out the Forbes top ten. Virginia scored very well across the board and ranked in the top ten in all six big categories looked at. No other state scored in the top ten in more than three categories.
The Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDRDC) is seeking volunteer Spanish language interpreters to assist court staff and clients at the Old Courthouse, 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax City and at off-site facilities. Training will be provided. Fluency is required in both English and Spanish. A Commitment to a weekly four-hour shift during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for at least six months is required. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Volunteer applicants will be required to successfully complete a DMV, Cild Protective Service, and criminal history record check. For more information about the Volunteer Interpreter program or to request an application, contact Loida Gibbs at loida.gibbs@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703.246.2856, TTY 703.273.3713.
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.
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. 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.
Enjoy “Second Sunday Programs” at the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia. The September 10 program will be “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.
Attend Thinking Outside of the Bark – the 11th Annual Waynesboro Plant Health Care for Urban Trees on September 8 at the Waynesboro Country Club, 8:15 a.m. to noon. Learn about choosing trees for impact, soil compaction and stress on trees, new approaches for pest management, young tree care, precision tree felling, and lots more. Call Dwayne Jones at 540.942.6735 or Becky Woodson at 434.977.1375 x 3324. Email becky.woodson@dof.virginia.gov.
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 and numbers, email, and websites for some of Virginia’s best edibles. To obtain a free copy, visit www.virginiagrown.com or call 804.786.3951.
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.
The 55th Virginia Transportation Conference, “Virginia’s Transportation Challenge – Saving Lives, Saving Time, Saving Money,” will be held October 9-11 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Visit www.vatransconf.org or call 804.225.4698 for conference information.
Take the “Fish & Chips Challenge” to benefit Nature House at the second Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Thursday, October 19, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Reston Town Center, 11920 Democracy Drive. The event is sponsored by Friends of Reston. For more information and ticket sales, contact Katie Shaw, kshaw@reston.org, 703.435.6510.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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