Commentary

At the recent national meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) I joined with Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and state legislators from around the country in calling for the federal government to play a larger role in the funding of America's infrastructure. All states and local governments are cash-strapped at a time when critical infrastructure investments are required. The federal government's share of public investment in transportation, water, and other types of infrastructure has declined to the point where state and local government expenditures account for three of every four public dollars that are spent on infrastructure in the United States.
 
Rendell and Bloomberg are co-chairs along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who was not at the NCSL meeting of the Building America's Future Coalition (www.investininfrastructure.org). They invited legislators from around the country to join in their advocacy for greater federal infrastructure investment. As included in the Statement of Principles of the organization, the United States has in the past recognized that infrastructure investment is a key stimulus for short-term economic growth and job creation that can help the United States achieve energy independence, environmental sustainability, and greenhouse gas reductions. In addition to providing greater funding, the federal government must according to the Principles "streamline bureaucratic processes and allow greater flexibility to enable states and localities to use federal infrastructure funds quickly, efficiently and effectively, and to leverage innovative approaches to financing infrastructure investments, consistent with the national vision." In our region the complex and cumbersome federal approval process has added costs and extended schedules for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project.
 
Sessions at the NCSL annual meeting on transportation funding were filled to capacity as legislators from most states were seeking new ideas for transportation funding challenges much like those in Virginia. The general conclusions of the sessions were that business as usual is not enough and that old methods of funding like the gas tax will not be adequate or reliable in the future. No one solution will be adequate. Clearly, part of the solution is an increase in federal investment in infrastructure. That is why I joined the Building America's Future Coalition and will be advocating for greater federal participation in infrastructure investment.

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Announcements

2-1-1 VIRGINIA is a statewide, 24/7 health and human service Information and Referral (I&R) program administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services and provided regionally by 6 nonprofit organizations. 2-1-1 VIRGINIA offers a wide range of support to individuals, such as housing or financial assistance or care for an aging or ailing parent and helps callers access resources in the community when they need them most. The three-digit phone number helps individuals navigate the increasingly complex social services system. Dial 211 on your phone for information and help.
 
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership's Quarterly Economic Development Report is available at http://vaalies.org/QuarterlyReport/. The report includes company announcements and marketing activities in our area.
 
Long term care and managed care ombudsmen are helpful to older adults and their caregivers in resolving problems related to long term care facilities and managed care insurance policies. To learn more about how an ombudsman can help you or a loved one, visit www.vda.virginia.gov/ombudsman.asp.

Calendar of Events

Attend the Fifth Annual Asian Festival on August 9 and 10 at Lake Newport Tennis Park, 11452 Baron Cameron Avenue. Off-site parking with free shuttle service will be available at 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Reston. Traditional foods from over 25 well-known local Asian restaurants will be available, as well as arts and crafts, live music, stage performances, Asian Idol singing contest, martial arts demonstrations, special activities for children, and much more. Visit www.AsianFestivalDC.com. 

Reston Association will thank its volunteers with a poolside cookout on Wednesday, August 13, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Glade Pool, 11550 Glade Drive, Reston. Enjoy carnival style food, music, games, great door prizes and more. RSVP by August 1 to Ha Brock at habrock@reston.org or 703.435.7986. Rain date is August 14.

Attend Pioneer Network's 8th National Conference, "A Call to Action," on Thursday, August 21, 2008. This conference will offer concurrent sessions about issues and experiences dealing with long term care. For more information about changing the culture of aging and long term care of elders in America, and to register for the National Conference, visit www.pioneernetwork.net

The 2008 International Children's Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (rain or shine) at Wolf Trap National Park from the Performing Arts. This year's theme, "Connecting Cultures Through the Arts," will feature the Canadian percussionists ScrapArtsMusic, performers from China, Finland, Ghana, and Jordan, hands-on arts activities, and wonderful surprises throughout the park. Visit www.internationalchildrensfestival.org for more information. 

A Restoration Celebration will be held at Montpelier, home of James and Dolley Madison, on Constitution Day, September 17, 2008, beginning at 11:00 a.m. to observe the completion of the architectural restoration of Madison's lifelong home. Festivities will include appearances by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Jim Lehrer of The News Hour, a "Living Flag" with 2,500 school children, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, a special appearance by James and Dolley Madison, and more. Food vendors will be available; admission is free. Visit www.montpelier.org for more information about this and other events at Montpelier.

Attend the Commonwealth of Virginia Energy and Sustainability (COVES) Conference, "Meeting the Climate Challenge," on September 17-19 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, VA. For more information, go to www.vsbn.org/coves2008.
 
The Third Annual Race into Autumn 5K and 1 Mile Run sponsored by the Therapeutic Recreation Department of Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC) will be held at NVTC on Saturday, September 27, at 8:00 a.m., 9901 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. This Race will benefit the Northern Virginia Training Center, a state run residential facility for adults with intellectual disabilities. for details and registration go to www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1602665&assetld=d5e316.
 
The 8th Annual Greater Washington Arts Committee (GWAC) Youth Art Fest will be held Saturday, September 27, at the Pavilion at Reston Town Center, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. The GWAC Youth Art Fest is a celebration that brings together professional artists, artisans and performers to share their work and talent with children and their families. The goal of the GWAC Youth Art Festival is to expose children to a variety of artistic mediums and to work directly with professional artists in developing their artistic talents. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit Devotion to Children, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to providing high quality educational and childcare programs for children aged six and under from economically disadvantaged families. Visit www.YouthArtFest.com for more information about this year's theme, participants, judging, sponsorship opportunities, and more.
 
The Virginia Council for Litter Prevention & Recycling will host a conference October 22-24 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fredericksburg. Save the date; more information on registration will be available soon.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

Delegate Kenneth R. Plum | 2073 Cobblestone Lane | Reston | VA | 20191