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Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News – October 18, 2006
Commentary
Technology and Public Policy Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
Many years ago I chaired a special legislative subcommittee on science and technology issues. Established as a two-year study, it became immediately obvious that the issues before the subcommittee were emerging issues whose impact on public policy would be felt in the distant future. I proposed and the legislature agreed to make the study committee a standing commission. The Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) was one of the first state level legislative bodies to consider the impact on public policy of science and technology issues. I chaired JCOTS until Democrats lost the majority in the House of Delegates, and I still serve as its senior ranking minority member. The agenda of last week’s meeting of JCOTS shows the diversity of issues arising from science and technology applications. Identity theft is of great importance as the widespread use of the social security number as a single identifier of individuals in many different data bases raises many concerns. Identity theft is increasing. While federal protective action would be important, the failure of the Congress to act in many areas has forced states to act. I have introduced several measures to protect consumers from identity theft. Scam artists have also turned to new forms of technology to ply their efforts. How many times have you won the lottery in Nigeria? My doctor now conducts my annual physical exam with his laptop in hand. No longer is there a doubt about the date of my last tetanus shot, the results of a previous test, or my most recent cholesterol level. The information is at his fingertips. Enhanced accuracy and reduced costs come about from electronic health records. Governor Kaine’s administration is considering a number of ways that the further adoption of electronic health records can reduce the cost of Medicaid and other state health-related programs. Technology has a place in helping to resolve our transportation concerns. The electronic collection of tolls saves money and is quicker. Future toll roads will eliminate toll booths altogether by electronically recording the passage of cars at normal speeds. Various technology applications make mass transit more desirable and easier to use. Technology and science firms have driven the economic success of Virginia and our region. JCOTS is considering ways to further position the state to promote modeling and simulation business as the state is home to one of the largest modeling and simulation defense-related installations in the world. Modeling and simulation has enormous potential in our transportation planning. Another emerging area is nanotechnology of which Virginia has many emerging businesses and its universities have an increasing area of study. I have always maintained that technology has enormous potential in making government more democratic by enhancing citizen access. Virginia’s e-government portal (www.virginia.gov) has been judged to be one of the best in the country. At the same time, there is a great deal of concern about electronic voting, and JCOTS is looking at the issue. For more information on JCOTS, visit www.jcots.state.va.us. Many citizens help us with our work. If you would like to be involved, contact me at kenplum@aol.com.
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The General Election is Tuesday, November 7
Polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Need to Vote Absentee?
· Will circumstances prevent you from voting at your polling place on Election Day? Are you eligible to vote absentee? Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/absentee.htm for information about eligibility or call 703.222.0776.
· The deadline to submit an application to vote absentee by mail is Tuesday, October 31.
· The final day to vote absentee in person is Saturday, November 4.
· All mailed absentee ballots must be received at the Electoral Board Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.
· In Person Absentee Voting is available now through November 4 at the Office of Elections, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/absentee.htm for hours.
· In Person Absentee Voting is also available at Fairfax County’s satellite locations beginning October 18 through November 4, Monday through Friday, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit the North County Government Center at 12000 Bowman Towne Drive in Reston if you reside in the Hunter Mill District. Visit the Sully District Governmental Center at 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard in Chantilly if you reside in the Sully District.
Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb for information about voter registration and absentee voting. This website also has blank absentee ballot applications for you to download and the new interactive online absentee ballot application form. Call 703.222.0776 if you have questions or problems. * * *
Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, October 18 at 10:30 p.m. – Mikal Elaine Meyer and Linda Ethington, Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization – “Every Woman’s Fight Against Breast Cancer”
Tuesday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 25 at 10:30 p.m. – Carl Mitchell and Susan Baker, Virginia Economic Bridge – “Transforming Economic Opportunities Across Virginia”
* * * ANNOUNCEMENTS
TONIGHT – Attend the Difficult Run Watershed Final Draft Plan Workshop, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 4 and 5, 12000 Government Center Parkway. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Registration is not required but encouraged by calling 703.324.5500 or emailing watersheds@fairfaxcounty.gov.
ALSO TONIGHT - The Faith Communities in Action (FCIA) Affordable Housing Task Force will sponsor a community meeting for Planning Committee to End Homelessness, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, in Reston. Call 703.324.3453 to rsvp or email CILuser@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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. Come try your luck at a “run of the river” and enjoy some delicious seafood and complimentary beverages. The High Rollers will play in the tournament and have a chance at winning the Grand Door Prize. If you’re just out for fun, opt to be a non-tournament Fish Friendly Player or Supporter. Watch the action, bid in the silent auction, and enjoy the same great food. For more information and ticket sales, contact Katie Shaw, kshaw@reston.org, 703.435.6510.
Attend the Fit for Life 5th Annual Women’s Wellness Workshops on Saturday, October 21, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Johnson Student Center, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Your $30 registration fee includes a snack from Whole Foods, a Panera Box Lunch, the keynote by GMU Coach Larranaga, and your choice of 3 workshops from a large list of offerings including financial fitness, feng shui, massage therapy, health through movement and dance, sharpening mental skills, maintaining optimal health with acupuncture and Qi Gong, mindfulness meditation, stress relief, Tai Chi for balance and coordination, healing gardening, and much more. To register, visit www.y-me.org/nationalcapitalarea/events or call 703.461.9595.
The ALS Association-DC/MD/VA Chapter is sponsoring an annual Walk to D’Feet ALS in Washington, DC on October 22. ALS is amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. For more information call 301.978.9855 or visit www.alsinfo.org.
Join Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia at the Second Annual Black Tie & Tool Belt (both optional) Gala Awards Reception on Sunday, October 22, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Waterford, 6715 Commerce Street, Springfield. The evening will feature a silent auction with a wonderful array of prizes. All proceeds will support Habitat’s work in Northern Virginia. For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit www.habitatnova.org or email info@habitatnova.org.
Join Volunteer Fairfax at VolunteerFest on Saturday, October 28, for its 12th annual region-wide day of community service. This year’s event has 55 projects and needs 1,100 volunteers. To register, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
Review and provide comments on projects and programs that are candidates for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2008-2013 Six-Year Improvement Program for interstate and primary highway needs, as well as rail and public transportation initiative. This fall public meeting will be held on November 1, Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway. There will be an open forum at 7:00 p.m., following by a public discussion session at 7:30 p.m.
Attend a professional development course, “Resolving Land Use Disputes,” presented by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy on November 2-3 at the Holiday Inn Tysons Corner in McLean. Go to www.lincolninst.edu for registration and program information. Registration deadline is October 20.
Attend Fairfax County’s Second Annual History Conference, “Preserving & Documenting Our History,” on Saturday, November 11, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Visitor Center at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Road. Fee is $25.00 per person, limited to first 115 registrants. Questions, contact Lynne Garvey Wark at 703.322.1811 or lghassoc@erols.com.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission has updated its free auto and homeowners insurance consumer guides and corresponding premium comparison pamphlets. The guides are designed to help consumers understand their insurance coverage, how to shop for it, and what to do if a problem arises. They include basic information about auto and homeowners insurance, useful shopping tips, and steps for consumers to take when they must file a claim or if they have a problem with their insurance coverage. Call the Bureau of Insurance Property and Casualty Consumer Services Section toll-free at 1-877-310-6560 for free copies of the guides. They are also available on the Bureau’s web site at www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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