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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – June 21, 2006 COMMENTARY Running a State without a Budget Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
If a tree fell in the woods with no one around, would it make a sound? If the General Assembly failed to pass a budget, would state government have to close down? The answer to the first question has been debated for centuries. The answer to the second question has only recently been discussed because this is the first time in the history of the Commonwealth that there has been a serious question as to whether the state legislature would be able to agree on a financial plan for the operation of state government before the beginning of a new fiscal year. Attorney General Robert McDonnell, a close personal friend of the Speaker of the House and the band of House ultraconservatives who are preventing a budget from being adopted, has opined that the government would have to close down without a budget approved by the legislature. He offered his opinion without remorse and without chastising his buddies to carry out their constitutional responsibility to pass a budget. McDonnell and his friends in the House are big supporters of vouchers and tuition tax credits for private education. Maybe they are less concerned about keeping the schools open. But what about the State Police and the prisons? Certainly these law and order toughies would be concerned about the prisons not being able to be operated. And for sure they would want to make certain that any regulations related to restricting abortions are enforced. The little band of hard-liners along with their Attorney General leader seem intent on bringing the state government they seem to detest to its knees. And all the inefficiencies they have railed about in government over the years they have now brought into the legislative branch. There is no plan, no clear or even an obscure goal. The lack of efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. Congress has now been imported to Virginia. With some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation in the metropolitan centers in Virginia, the hard liners take pride in stopping many different proposals that would have addressed the transportation problem. They say they want to stop a tax increase, but there have been no proposals for a general tax increase. Only proposals for user fees on those who use the roads have been made. Their answer is to let some private-public partnership take care of the problem with immense profits to the private sector at additional costs to citizens. Fortunately Virginia has a strong leader in Governor Tim Kaine. He has said he will carry out his constitutional duty to keep the government running. Whether or not the fallen tree in the forest made a noise, the lack of a budget will not close state government. The lack of a state budget will make the state legislature appear irrelevant, and hopefully it will make a noise with reverberations that will be felt in November 2007 when all seats in the General Assembly are up for election.
* * * Plum Issues State of Commonwealth Report
“The legislative branch of Virginia state government is dysfunctional,” Delegate Ken Plum told a group of supporters at his annual State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday. “Legislators who demand accountability of everyone else seek to escape scrutiny of their own actions.” Legislative reform was one of several conclusions Plum proposed after his review of state demographics and challenges. He called on the Governor to appoint a blue-ribbon panel to establish a cost of needed transportation improvements and to propose a financing plan for the legislature to consider in special session later this year, just like the special transportation session in 1986 in which Plum participated. Plum called for more individualized student standards in public schools that “would stretch every student to his or her maximum.” He called for greater environmental protection at the state level “for it is obvious that the federal government has no intention of doing anything.” Plum called for greater emphasis on prevention in health care. “Bad health has a social cost that affects us all,” Plum explained. “That’s why we need to make it the business of government to do all we can with education and incentives to promote a healthy lifestyle.” Plum called for defeat of the so-called “marriage amendment” on the ballot this fall. “We could not do more to raise the prestige of our Commonwealth in the world’s eyes than to defeat the amendment,” he said. For a copy of Plum’s State of the Commonwealth Report, send an email to kenplum@aol.com or call 703.758.9733 in the mornings. Indicate whether you want a printed copy or a digital copy by email.
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, June 21 at 10:30 p.m. – Laura Kitchin, Virginia League of Conservation Voters – “Using and Preserving Our Land”
* * * ANNOUNCEMENTS The Historical Society of Fairfax County will host Peter R. Henriques, Professor of History Emeritus at George Mason University, on Sunday, June 25, 2:00 p.m., at the Mount Vernon District Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria. Professor Henriques will give a presentation on his new book, Realistic Visionary, A Portrait of George Washington. Rather than revisiting Washington’s life in its entirety, Henriques constructs a biographical portrait by addressing the vital themes and events through which Washington the man is revealed. Washington’s wife, Martha Custis Washington, emerges as his most important supporter in his great successes. For more information about the program or about membership, email Suzanne.Levy@fairfaxcounty.gove.
Celebrate Rail to the Runways on Tuesday, June 27. Attend a luncheon and join Special Guests Governor Tim Kaine and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO James E. Bennett to celebrate two recent transportation achievements: a new runway, Dulles Airport’s fourth; and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Virginia and the Airports Authority that will expedite completion of the Dulles Metrorail project to Dulles Airport and beyond into Loudoun County. The event will be held at the Dulles Airport Marriott with a reception at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon beginning at 12:15 p.m. RSVP by June 20 to Carol Welti at carol@washingtonairports.com or call 703.572.8714. Space is limited – call soon.
Talk Transportation at a Summer Reception with the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance and Governor Tim Kaine on Tuesday, June 27, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1521 West Branch, Tysons Corner. Visit www.nvta.org or call 703.883.1830 for information and reservations.
The Virginia Conservation Network and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund will hold regional Legislative Contact Team training sessions around the state with an exciting program, “Building Skills and Networks to Achieve Environmental Goals: How You Can Steer the Direction of Virginia’s Energy Future.” The skill building session in our region will be held on Thursday, June 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington. For information and to RSVP, email mkaestner@valcv.org or call 804.225.1902.
Join Habitat for Humanity in its rebuilding work in Biloxi, Mississippi. Ken and Jane Plum will be working there July 10-15. For more information, email jguerra@habitatnova.org or call Jennifer Guerra at 703.521.9890, extension 105.
June is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Did you know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States? Did you also know that 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once? It is never too late to protect yourself from harmful effects of the sun. Visit www.seniornavigator.org/vaprovider/consumer/snArticle.do?contentld+334 to learn more about safer sunning practices and tips to keep your skin healthy. You can improve your chances of identifying precancerous skin conditions and skin cancer through regular skin self-exams. The earlier you identify signs and see a dermatologist, the greater the chances for successful treatment. Visit www.seniornavigator.org/vaprovider/consumer/report.do?directoryEntryId=79673 to learn more about skin cancer prevention and detection.
Attend “Second Sunday Programs” at the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main Street, Fairfax. All programs begin at 2:00 p.m. and are followed by informal discussion and refreshments in the Visitor Center. The program on July 9 will be “New Discoveries: Conservation/Restoration Tours of the Blenheim House” at the Blenheim Estate, 3610 Old Lee Highway, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The August 13 program will be about Civil War Soldier ID Tags, presented by Joseph Stahl, Civil War historian and collector.
Visit www.schoonervirginia.org for a look at Virginia’s tall ship. The Schooner Virginia has a summer-long docking schedule along Virginia’s coast, complete with special events and tours of the ship. Learn about this amazing vessel and its mission to advance the economic interest of the Commonwealth and educate its young citizens. The website provides information about The Virginia Society, how to join, how to participate in members-only sails aboard the Schooner, and many other membership benefits for adults and children.
The Fairfax County Dept. of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Commission will provide information about choices consumers must make about cable television, telephone, and high-speed Internet service. As part of the Connecting Your Home initiative, Fairfax County has produced a brochure and a television show on Channel 16 detailing the offerings of the three major competing providers in the county – Comcast, Cox, and Verizon. Additional information also will be posted to the county’s website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cable and www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer. All three providers offer cable TV, telephone, and Internet services – often called the “triple play.” The brochure, television show, and website information provide an overview of how these three technologies work and where to go to get more information from each company. The brochure is available at county government centers and libraries or by contacting the Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection at 703.324.5930, TTY 711, or 703.222.8435, TTY 711. The television program, “Connecting Your Home,” airs on Fridays at 3:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., Sundays at 1:00 p.m., and Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. The program also will be available on video-on-demand at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cable.
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services announced that this year’s Cooling Assistance Program to prevent or assist with cooling emergencies resulting from extreme heat runs now until August 15. To be eligible for any type of Cooling Assistance, certain income and citizenship requirements must be met. The household must contain at least one vulnerable person, and there must be a cooling need. Various types of cooling assistance may be available such as purchase or replacement and installation of an air conditioner, repair of a central air conditioning unit or heat pump, payment of an electric security deposit, or payment of an electric bill to operate the cooling equipment. To receive additional information or an application, call 703.324.7101.
Earlier this year the General Assembly unanimously approved a three-day Sales Tax Holiday in August during which certain purchases will be exempt from the 5 percent state and local retail sales tax. Sales tax will not be charged on school supplies priced at $20 or less per item, or articles of clothing, including footwear, costing $100 or less. The “holiday” will take place each year on the first Friday-Saturday-Sunday period in August. This year, the exemption period will be August 4 through 6. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation’s website at www.tax.virginia.gov. Support Reston Interfaith, play golf, and bid on great auction items! The 12th Annual Rucker Golf Tournament, Silent and Live Auctions, and Raffle Drawing will take place on Monday, July 10, at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston. The Rucker Tournament is a community-wide event with a rich heritage of attracting the support of hundreds of corporate and community leaders. Proceeds from the tournament’s auctions and raffle benefit the programs of Reston Interfaith, which provide support to men, women, and children in need of shelter, affordable housing, childcare, and other essential community services. Contact Meredith Young, Community Events Manager, at Meredith.Young@restoninterfaith.org for questions about participation in the Rucker Tournament.
Attend the 4th Annual Multicultural Business Conference, “Access to Business Success – Training, Resources & Networking for Business Growth,” on Thursday, August 3, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Westin, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington. Register for this event and more at www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com/atbs or call 703.538.7418.
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.
Save the Date – Saturday, September 16, 8:30 to noon – for the Rain Garden Workshop for homeowners, Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park, Vienna. Attendees will receive useful information and observe the construction of a small (home-sized) rain garden.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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