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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – May 31, 2006 COMMENTARY
Continuing Drama in Richmond Delegate Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
I am going to miss watching new episodes of “The West Wing.” Although I watch very little television, I seldom missed a show and will probably watch the reruns. The show had many attractive aspects, but the feature I liked most was its portrayal of the difficulties of making strong public policy decisions in a political environment. President Bartlet often faced dilemmas of having to make tough decisions when there were strong arguments supporting more than one course of action. Should he follow his head or his heart? His political instincts or his good government aims? The advice of the Congress or his political party? Expediency over long-term policy? Of course these considerations were not always in conflict, but “The West Wing” demonstrated just how often and how forcefully they could be in conflict. If I were still teaching government, there were segments in many episodes that I would have shown in my classroom in order to help my students understand the multi-faceted considerations in public policy decision making. Those parts of the show clearly pointed out that there are few black or white, right or wrong choices in the political arena. There are many shades of gray. For the past several months I along with the other members of the General Assembly have been facing extremely difficult decisions. By most accounts, 2006 was to be the year that we were to make major strides in relieving traffic congestion, an issue we had not tackled in a major way since 1986. A general sales tax increase of a half-cent in 2004 and a booming economy produced record levels of tax revenue for the general fund. Some wanted to move that money to transportation; I and others have resisted because our schools, colleges, health, and social services programs were in need of adequate funding. No one proposed a general tax increase for transportation. Rather the Governor and the State Senate proposed increases in certain transportation-related fees to raise money for transportation. The House majority opposed any tax or fee increases but wanted to use money from the general fund for transportation. Passage of a biennium budget has been held up as opposing sides have been posturing on the brink of leaving the state without a budget and needing presumably to close down. At this time there appears to be movement to pass a budget to keep the government open for business but to delay further discussion of transportation until later this year. I fear that once the leverage of passing the budget is lost that there will be little done for transportation. At the same time I want to vote for a biennium budget that has the best level of funding for core government services that the state has ever provided. But my constituents understandably and fairly expect that more money be provided for transportation. Compromise is part of the process, but is a compromise that leaves out the interests of a majority of my constituents realistic, defensible, or supportable? The dilemma faced by the legislature would be good material for a television show on the difficulties of making public policy decisions in a political environment. But you will need to tune in next week to see how the situation is resolved. Or maybe the week after. Sometimes Jed Bartlet made it look so easy.
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Wednesday, May 31 at 10:30 p.m. – Colleen Maguire, ALS Association of DC-Maryland-Virginia – “ALS and You – Strike Out Lou Gehrig’s Disease”
Tuesday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 7 at 10:30 p.m. – Beverly Black, Fairfax County Department of Community & Recreation Services – “Lights on After School”
* * * ANNOUNCEMENTS Tomorrow - Issues Fairfax: Workforce Housing will bring together a broad cross section of over two hundred stakeholders from our county’s business, government, community, and non-profit sectors to engage in a day-long forum about market-based and public policy strategies for addressing this issue. Attend on June 1, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Questions? email jkarr@fccc.org or call 703.752.7517.
A replica of the Godspeed, one of three original ships that brought the first permanent English settlers to Jamestown, will be at the Alexandria waterfront through Saturday, June 3. America’s 400th Anniversary Celebration launches with an 80-day sail of the newly commissioned replica of the Godspeed. The ship, sponsored by Jamestown 2007, will visit six ports along the eastern seaboard, including the local port of Alexandria. For more information about Jamestown 2007 and the Virginia 2007 program, visit www.americas400thanniversary.org or www.jamestown2007.org.
Plan to attend the Reston Garden Tour this Saturday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit twelve of Reston’s best gardens. A variety of sizes and styles of gardens will be featured – something for everyone – have an enjoyable day while getting ideas for your own garden. The Tour is co-sponsored by Reston Association and the Reston Garden Club. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Nature Hosue. Tickets are $20 and are available at Reston Association, The Bird Feeder, and The Reston Storefront Museum.
On Sunday, June 4, cyclists of every age and fitness level will be participating in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure. Joining them will be three-time Tour de France winner and cycling legend, Greg LeMond. The event will raise money for diabetes research, information and advocacy for the 423,000 people in the Washington, D.C. market who have diabetes. Whether they are riding 100 miles or 12, Tour de Cure participants will be pedaling for a good cause to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. LeMond will ride in the morning and address the crowd afterwards at a post-ride program beginning at 1:00 p.m. All events take place at the Reston Town Center. For more information, call 1-800-DIABETES.
The 2006 Watershed-Friendly Garden Tour will be held on June 4, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax County. Tour local homes that feature watershed-friendly elements, such as cisterns, rain barrels, rain gardens, backyard wildlife habitat, and native species. Visit www.arlingtonenvironment.org and click on “Watershed-Friendly Garden Tour” to download the program on tour locations and information.
On Tuesday, June 6, the Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) will recognize the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the Dulles Corridor Advisory Committee for their leadership in furthering rail in the Dulles Corridor. The recognition will occur at DCRA’s Spring Meeting, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at AOL Headquarters, 44900 Prentice Drive, Dulles. For more information, call 703.716.5750.
Join the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 6, 2006, for the 20th Chamber Cup at Westfields Golf Club, 13940 Balmoral Greens Avenue, Clifton. Registration and lunch begin at 11:00 with a Shotgun Start at 1:30 p.m. and Dinner and Awards at 6:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chamber’s scholarship program for Herndon High School and South Lakes High School. Visit www.restonchamber.org for more information.
The Community Planning Committee developing the Fairfax County Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness is requesting your help at one of their upcoming Dialogues. Attendants will have an opportunity to provide their perspectives and ideas for the development of the ten-year plan to end homelessness. Attend the Dialogue on Wednesday, June 7, 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. RSVP to 703.787.4962, as a light dinner will be provided.
Virginia Sustainable Building Network’s Annual Meeting, “Global Change, Local Solutions,” will be held June 9 in Charlottesville. Get details at www.vsbn.org.
On June 17, 8:00 p.m. EST on The History Channel, Steve Thomas, formerly of “This Old House,” will host a documentary that will highlight four of Thomas Jefferson’s building designs: the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, his retreat home at Poplar Forest in Bedford County, the University of Virginia, and his home at Monticello in Charlottesville. For information about the Capitol Restoration and Extension Project, go to www.VirginiaCapitol.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.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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