DemocratThe The Newsletter of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee
March 2015 Volume 2, Issue 3
Inside Washington: Representative Gerry Connolly (D-11)
Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA -11) has been very busy dealing with foreign affairs and domes c issues. This past month the Congressman has been involved with issues dealing with Israel and Korea. Congressman Gerry Connolly a ended the Joint Session of Congress of March 3, 2015 receiving the remarks of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Congressman Connolly a ended as a symbol of his lifelong commitment to the State of Israel and the enduring rela onship between the United States and that state. Congressman Connolly offered this statement. Nevertheless, the process employed by Mr. Netanyahu and his Ambassador, Mr. Dermer, to secure this privilege (to address a joint session) is deeply offensive and hur ul. It has driven a par san wedge where none has ever existed before, it has provided a gratuitous insult to our head of state, and by- passed any reasonable norm of diploma c protocol. Unfortunately, this confronta onal style has characterized the Netanyahu approach to our govern- ment since the Clinton Administra on. I fear it can only damage Israel’s own long term interests even if it benefits Mr. Netanyahu’s short term electoral goals with Israel’s pending elec ons exactly two weeks away.
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Message from the FCDC Chairman Sue Langley Unlike most recent years, a protracted winter season has meant record-se ng low temperatures, snow accumula ons like we haven’t seen in years, and delays, cancel- la ons, and rescheduling affec ng everyone’s calendars. The schools have struggled to remain open when possible. A number of FCDC events have been rescheduled due to weather, including fundraisers and District commi ee mee ngs. The weather did not, however, interfere with our celebra on of last year’s elec on victories. The Blue Jeans Ball was a successful event at the Ernst Community Center on NOVA’s Annandale campus. The event helped us replenish the funds we spent ge ng through the 2014 elec on cycle, and posi oned us to finish our fiscal year on March 31 (con nued on page 2)
1 www.fairfaxdemocrats.org
Message from the FCDC Chairman Sue Deadlines for Langley The Democrat (con nued from page 1)
April 2015 Edi on Amid all the weather disrup ons, Serious challenges confront some of Friday, March 27, 2015 Commi ee business con nues to our incumbents in the House and May 2015 Edi on move forward. On the filing dead- Senate, and the contests for Super- Friday, April 24, 2015 line of February 24, we no fied the visor and School Board are taking State Board of Elec ons of the shape amid uncertainty over the Ar cles/ photos must be method of selec on for 54 different county budget due to shor alls in submi ed as a ach- posi ons to be on the fall ballot state support. Other incumbents ments to thedem- somewhere in Fairfax County. Re- may go uncontested and breeze to ocrat@fairfaxdemocrats. rements led to open seats in con- reelec on. Our goal is to increase org. All submissions are tests for two Supervisors, one Sena- the number of seats held by Demo- subject to a word limit tor, and two Delegates. In Mount crats, and opportuni es do exist to and edi ng. For more Vernon, a spirited contest is under- succeed in mee ng this objec ve. informa on, contact the- way for the vacancy due to the re- The largest turnout of Northern democrat@fairfaxdemoc rement of Gerry Hyland. Four con- Virginia Democrats happens once a rats.org. tenders have already announced: year at Congressman Gerry Connol- School Board member Dan Storck, ly’s St. Patrick’s Day celebra on at Jack Dobbyn, Tim Sargeant, and the Kena Temple. This March 17 Candice Benne . In Sully District, event has become the signature School Board member Kathy Smith must-a end event for ac vist Dem- has a strong possibility of succeed- ocrats, whether or not they reside ing re ring Supervisor Michael Frye. in the Congressman’s 11th District. Delegate Tom Rust’s re rement Published monthly by the Past a endees have included every- may mean a pickup for the Demo- Fairfax County Democra c one from the volunteer envelope crats; Jennifer Boysko came within stuffers and phone callers to the Commi ee 32 votes of defea ng Tom Rust in Senators and Governors who hail 2815 Hartland Road, Suite 110 2013. And Paul Krizek has an- Falls Church, VA 22043 from Virginia, as well as the elected nounced his candidacy for the open Tel: (703) 573-6811 officials at all levels in between. seat previously held by Delegate Fax: (703) 560-7004 Don't be le out! Sco Surovell. h p://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org
Editorial Team: Terry Matlaga Bell, Mark Your Calendar Michael Fruitman, Linda Waller FCDC General Membership Mee ng, Tues- Views expressed do not necessarily day, March 24, 2015 at 7:30 PM Loca on: represent those of the FCDC unless South County High School, 8501 Silverbrook expressly approved by an appropriate commi ee resolu on. Road, Lorton, Virginia 22079.
Copyright@2014 Visit the FCDC mee ng and event calendar for an up-to-date schedule of county commi ee, subcommi ees, and magisterial district mee ngs and upcoming democra c fundraisers.
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Report from Richmond: The Senate Senior Senator Richard Saslaw (D-35th District)
The 2015 session cent. One million dollars was components of the Healthy Vir- of the General added for kindergarten-readiness ginia Program, including dental Assembly has come to a close assessment. coverage for pregnant women and was capped off by passing a Higher Educa on: Opera ng at and health coverage for the chil- bipar san budget—one day ear- below 2009 funding levels, we dren of low-income state em- ly. It is never an easy task to bal- will see more than $41 million in ployees. The budget allows for ance the budget of Virginia. Due funding, including $20.5 million $3.1 million for free clinics that to new-found revenues, and to help our universi es address will expand services to 7,500 un- some prudent correc ons in enrollment growth, $14.4 million insured Virginians, and $1 million 2014, the process went smooth- for a 2-percent faculty salary in- for community health centers. ly, with some good news in areas crease, and an addi onal $5.4 Addi onally, a total of $750,000 that have been neglected in pre- million for need-based under- was set aside to increase services vious years. graduate financial aid (need- for individuals with brain injuries. The Budget conferees, working based financial aid will total $8.9 Behavioral Health Services: Vir- with Governor McAuliffe’s pro- million). The budget calls for a ginia will allocate an addi onal posed amendments, produced a one- me payment of $141.4 mil- $9.2 million in funding for behav- solid roadmap to growing our lion for capital outlay projects ioral health services. The budget economy and expanding oppor- and $52.9 million in funding for provides $2.1 million for sup- tuni es for all Virginians. Senate school construc on loans. por ve housing for 150 individu- Democrats scored some im- Pay Raises for State Employees als with mental illness and $2 portant victories in the budget and Teachers: As noted, the million to improve access to child process. Most notably, we were House and Senate were able to psychiatry services. The budget able to keep public educa on agree on a 2-percent pay raise for includes $250,000 to help pa- whole while giving a pay increase state employees and to include ents transi on out of the North- to teachers, deputy sheriffs quali- $52.9 million for the state’s share ern Virginia Training Center. fying for food stamps, and state of a 3-percent pay raise for Economic Development: The employees who have not had a teachers, spli ng the cost evenly Governor’s Development Oppor- meaningful increase since 2007. with the locali es. An addi onal tunity Fund, which is used to Here are some highlights of the $1.2 million has been added to a ract businesses to the Com- adjustments made to the 2014– the General Fund to increase the monwealth, will receive $28 mil- 2016 biennial budget: base pay for Virginia’s deputy lion and the fund will be able to Rainy Day Fund: We have set sheriffs. retain any unspent balances. aside a $129.5-million repayment Governor’s Access Plan: The There will also be $500,000 in to the fund. budget passed by the General incen ves set aside to encourage companies to hire veterans.. Protec ng Public Educa on: The Assembly will fund the Gover- House and Senate also agreed to nor’s Access Plan, which Gover- The General Assembly will recon- set aside $537,297 for the nor McAuliffe established last vene in the middle of April to “Breakfast A er the Bell” pilot year to provide medical and be- take up amended legisla on from program. This ini a ve of First havioral health services to 22,000 the Governor. I want to thank Lady Dorothy McAuliffe's will individuals with serious mental everyone who contacted me dur- fund school breakfasts in elemen- illness. ing this session and stopped by tary schools where reduced- Health and Human Services: The my Richmond office lunch eligibility exceeds 45 per- final product will fund the key The Democrat 3 3
Report from Richmond: House of Dele- gates Freshman VA Delegate Kathleen Murphy (D-34th District)
The 2015 session of the Virginia ginia from par cipa ng in the from having access to guns for a General Assembly is over. More federally funded expansion of period of me, but even this than a thousand bills were pre- Medicaid. As a result, we lose common-sense measure was de- sented for review in just 45 days. over $5 million of our own tax feated by the subcommi ee that Some bills were presented on the dollars to other states every day controls all such legisla on. Even floor of the General Assembly; and hundreds of thousands of more discouraging was the pas- others died in commi ee. Some low-income Virginia working fam- sage of two truly egregious bills that passed include legisla on ilies are denied basic health cov- that would threaten the safety of gran ng local school systems erage. In addi on, Virginia hospi- our children and make our com- more flexibility to waive SOL tests tals, already suffering a financial muni es more dangerous. These when a student has achieved a 3 squeeze because of the charity bills would make it easier for or 4 on an Advanced Placement care they are required by law to criminals or the mentally ill to test in the same subject; prohib- provide, are depending on Medi- purchase a machine gun or to i ng creditors from seizing child caid expansion for their future obtain a concealed weapon per- support arrearages; allowing financial well-being. mit. I urge Governor McAuliffe to companies such as Uber to oper- Other bills passed include veto these measures. ate safely in Virginia; and, in re- strengthened laws against human I am honored to have the oppor- sponse to the Hannah Graham trafficking; laws to help our vet- tunity to represent you in the case, expanding DNA collec ons erans adjust to civilian life; legis- Virginia General Assembly. I had for several misdemeanors associ- la on to reform and clarify the amazing support from so many of ated with a higher incidence of ethics rules for public officials; my fellow delegates and am sexual violence. We also passed those to permit doctors to pre- grateful to those who reached legisla on a emp ng to increase scribe marijuana extracts for the out to help me as I learned the responsiveness to sexual assault treatment of epilepsy; and laws process and worked my way on our college and university to limit the use of seclusion and through the many issues we campuses. restraint prac ces in public faced. Over the next year I look This year we also strengthened schools, encourage the repor ng forward to hearing from you and Governor McAuliffe’s efforts to of a drug overdose, allow breast- working with you to find ways to bring new business enterprise to feeding in public spaces, and pro- support our schools, strengthen Virginia and provided new re- tect the right of property owners our economy, address our trans- sources for mental health ser- to par cipate in decisions made porta on challenges, and keep vices. The budget also provided by a homeowners associa on. our community secure. modest raises for the teachers Regre ably, we were unable to and first responders who work so break through the blockade in diligently to strengthen our com- the House of Delegates that pre- muni es and support our values. vents any meaningful progress Unfortunately, opposi on to toward gun safety. I introduced a health care reform at the na on- bill to bar any criminal convicted al level con nued to prevent Vir- twice of violent domes c abuse
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Report from the Board of Supervisors: Chairman of the Board Sharon Bulova
The most important ac on the hundred of assessed value as the are many ways to get involved in Board of Supervisors takes each FY2015 property tax rate. the budget process: you can con- year is adop ng our budget. The Historically, our biggest expendi- tact me or one of my fellow su- Fairfax County budget provides ture is funding Fairfax County pervisors, you can a end a town high quality police, fire and res- Public Schools. In the adver sed hall mee ng, or you can tes fy at cue, libraries, social services, budget, over $2.01 billion, or a public hearing on the budget in parks, and public works and sup- 52% of the General Fund, would April. For more informa on on ports our world class school sys- go to the school system; a 3.43% the budget, to find out about tem. increase providing $66.7 million town hall mee ngs, or to leave Work on the Fiscal Year 2016 more than last year. Fairfax comments, please visit budget is already underway. County funds about 75% of the www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget. Based on direc on from the School budget. When we adopt the budget, we Board of Supervisors, the county Educa on is our Board's highest are inves ng in the priori es of execu ve proposed a $7.13 bil- priority but it is not our only pri- our community. I hope to hear lion adver sed all funds budget ority. During the weeks ahead, what your priori es are before for public considera on. The our Board will strike a balance we amend or “mark-up” the ad- General Fund budget that is between valued services and ver sed budget on April 21 and funded primarily through real keeping taxes affordable. adopt a FY2016 budget on April estate and personal property 28. taxes would be $3.8 billion, We want to hear from residents based on the same $1.09 per as we develop the budget. There Women’s History Month Our country has celebrated Wom- na on’s history. McLaughlin, and Janie Strauss. en’s History Month every March There is a total of eight women and Here in Fairfax County we lead the since its origins in 1980, and paid four men that make up the School Commonwealth in the number of tribute to the genera ons of women Board for the country’s 10th largest women holding elec ve office at whose commitment to nature and school system. Of the 17 delegate both the State and local levels. The the planet have proved invaluable districts with part or all of their pre- chair of the Board of Supervisors, to society. Na onal resources in- cincts in Fairfax County, we have 4 Sharon Bulova, is joined by two fe- cluding The Library of Congress, women and 13 men. Of the 9 senate male Democra c colleagues, Cathy Na onal Archives and Records Ad- districts partly or fully located in Hudgins, Penny Gross, and Linda ministra on, Na onal Endowment Fairfax County, there are 4 women Smyth, among the 10 members of for the Humani es, Na onal Gallery and 5 men. And even though other the County Board of Supervisors. of Art, Na onal Park Service, Smith- jurisdic ons reached this milestone Tamara Derenak Kaufax chairs the sonian Ins tu on, and the United earlier than Fairfax, we now have Fairfax County School Board where States Holocaust Memorial Museum the first woman elected sheriff of she is joined by Democra c support- feature special programs during the both Fairfax County and Fairfax City. ed members Kathy Smith, Pat month of March that highlight wom- Hynes, Sandy Evans, Meagan en’s unique contribu ons to our The Democrat 5 5
Inside Washington: Representative Gerry Connolly (VA-11)
(con nued from page 1)
This is a shameful episode that cus, provided for tougher sanc- Inquiry’s Report on Human diminishes the serious issue ons against North Korea for its Rights in the Democra c Peo- which ostensibly has caused Mr. brutality against its people and ple’s Republic of North Korea, Netanyahu to push aside diplo- its aggressive and dangerous ac- including efforts to press China ma c nice es; namely the Irani- ons and threats on the world and other countries to imple- an nuclear nego a ons. By stage. ment Commission recommenda- ac ng in such a blatantly par san The bill contained language from ons. The Democrat received way, Mr. Netanyahu has diluted Connolly calling for increased this statement from Congress- the focus from that central, exis- efforts to provide for unrestrict- man Connolly ten al issue, to one of parochial ed family reunifica on mee ngs Reunifica ons between families par san poli cs - his and ours. among Koreans, including for and their loved ones behind the Connolly succeeded in adding those individuals in the Korean- DMZ remain limited to flee ng family reunifica on language and American community who main- opportuni es. This is an issue an amendment to the North Ko- tain family es with rela ves in that South Korean President Park rea sanc ons bill passed by North Korea. The commi ee Geun-Hye is seeking to improve House Foreign Affairs Com- also accepted Connolly’s amend- through her Peace and Reunifica- mi ee. The legisla on (H.R. 757), ment requiring the Department on Ini a ve, and this amend- cosponsored by Congressman of State to report on ac ons it ment demonstrates our support Connolly, a senior member of the has taken to implement or sup- for efforts that seek to relieve Foreign Affairs Commi ee and port the recommenda ons of the the pain of separa on felt by Co-Chair of the House Korea Cau- United Na ons Commission of Korean families. People in the News Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8) from the House of Representa- of the Virginia Associa on of has been elected by the Demo- ves. Coun es, Penny Gross. Also in cra c Caucus as Ranking Mem- Congressman Gerry Connolly a endance was re ring Mount ber of the Subcommi ee on (VA-11) was recognized for his Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Oversight. It is unusual for a service as Chairman of the Fair- Hyland. freshman Member of Congress fax County Board of Supervisors to be considered for this post. and his “steadfast commitment Congressman Beyer will also to our na on’s coun es” at a serve on the Joint Economic ceremony. Commi ee, a bicameral com- The “NACo Alumni Award” was mi ee composed of ten mem- presented to Connolly by Mason bers from the Senate and ten District Supervisor and president
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National Affairs Committee Jobs Offensive Needed: Democrats Must Advocate for a Congressional Caucus on Job Creation, Economic Growth, and Global Competitiveness
By Ricardo E. Coleman, Mason District NAC member
For the past few years our Presi- An excellent mechanism for de- 4), that supposedly focuses on dent and elected officials have veloping this message and ad- “policies that will get Americans been stunned by a combina on dressing these “kitchen table is- back to work,” but demonstrates of actual crises and Republican- sues would be a standalone Joint li le interest in either job crea- manufactured scandals (the House and Senate Commi ee on on or economic growth. Instead, Affordable Care Act website, Ebo- Job Crea on, Economic Growth, under former chairman Rep. Dar- la, the Islamic State, Benghazi, and Global Compe veness. This rell Issa’s (Republican, CA-49) IRS). In addi on, Democrats are ideal commi ee would use the leadership, it focused on the IRS, s ll reeling from devasta ng los- recommenda ons of policy ex- oversight of the Affordable Care es in the 2014 midterm elec ons, perts and fact-based perfor- Act, and inves ga ng federal reg- that New York Times reporter ulators. mance measures to develop leg- Jackie Calmes diagnosed thus: isla on and act as a clearing- In lieu of our ideal commi ee, “Democrats were complaining house for all federal ac vi es given that Democrats no longer that the party had failed to devel- affec ng jobs and the economy, control the House or Senate, Fair- op a na onal economic message similar to how the Na onal Coun- fax Democrats should advocate and policy agenda that would terterrorism Center organizes all for our Democra c lawmakers to appeal both to white men and to U.S. counterterrorism ac vi es. It lead in circumven ng the com- women and minori es.” would coordinate these efforts by mi ee process and forming a developing partnerships, solic- Joint Caucus on Job Crea on, Eco- It's me for Democrats to learn i ng policy proposals, and fund- nomic Growth, and Global Com- from our mistakes and coalesce ing internships/fellowships for pe veness. There are over 694 around a na onal economic mes- state and local governments, caucuses, ranging from the Con- sage that exemplifies our pro- nonprofits, universi es, small gressional Gaming Caucus to the gressive legacy. We, the grass- businesses, and mul na onal Congressional Cement Caucus; roots, should commit to helping corpora ons. the caucus recommended here the na onal party hone a na on- could be billed as a special inter- al message for the 2016 presiden- Unfortunately, such ac ons are not reflected in the record of the est group for “working Ameri- al elec on that focuses on the cans” with the same goals and primary concerns of the Ameri- actual House Subcommi ee on Economic Growth, Job Crea on, approach as the ideal commi ee can people: crea ng good-paying described above. jobs and fostering an economy and Regulatory Affairs chaired by that works for everyone. Rep. Jim Jordan (Republican, OH- FCDC’s 2015 FCDC’s, largest fundraiser, the keynote speaker will be Virgin- JEFFERSON JACK- Jefferson Jackson Dinner and ia’s First Lady Dorothy Silent Auc on, will be held Sun- McAuliffe. SON DINNER day, April 26, at the McLean Hil- Mark you cal- April 26, 2015, 6:00 – ton (7920 Jones Branch Drive) endar to re- 9:00 PM from 6:00—9:00 pm. This year’s serve the date.
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FCDC Diversity Committee - Nelly Samaniego, Chair
The Diversity Commi ee's main goals are commu- American History Month is an annual celebra on nity outreach, visibility, and voter registra on. The of achievements by African-Americans and a me FCDC Diversity Commi ee strives to understand for recognizing the central role of African- the issues that affect the diverse communi es of Americans in U.S. history. our area and has tried its best to show support On Sunday, February 8, and solidarity for these communi es. These are we celebrated Black His- the ac vi es we have covered this year. tory Month at Mount
Pleasant Bap st In January, we joined the La no organiza ons coa- Church. I had the honor li on and the of mee ng Paul W. Dreamers Moore, a Black history moms at Vir- living legend, and Dr. ginia Advoca- Cain Hope Felder. It cy Day in was a morning of re- Black History Month Celebra on Richmond. membrance and During this recogni on. Congressmen Don Beyer a ended the day of ac on celebra on and gave a wonderful speech honoring we visit- the community. ed delegates and the Vir- Dreamers and Dreamers Moms in Rich- The Diversity Commi ee par cipated in and cele- ginia Assem- mond - Advocacy Day brated the Lunar New Year. This tradi on is bly to show among Asia’s our support to Democra c Senators who spoke most widely against SB 722 that would have denied instate tui- celebrated on to Dreamers. The bill was defeated in the Vir- holiday and ginia Assembly. spans China,
Korea, and In February, we a ended a two-day legisla ve Vietnam. conference and made advocacy visits. The confer- Members of ence highlighted cri cal the Diversity legisla ve issues Commi ee affec ng Hispanic Chinese New Year Celebra on a ended a Americans. Several pan- Chinese New Year celebra on on Saturday, Febru- els of experts, elected ary 14 at Luther Jackson Middle School and on officials, and members Sunday, the 15th, we par cipated in the Viet- of Congress from both namese New Year or TET at JEB Stuart High School par es spoke about where we learned from their tradi ons and en- healthcare, comprehen- joined the dance parade. While enjoying both rich sive immigra on re- cultural fes vals, we focused on our du es of out- form, educa on, and reach, voter registra on, and Democra c Com- advocacy. The second Nelly Samaniego, Former Los mi ee informa on. day was dedicated to Angeles Mayor Antonio Vil- Capitol Hill visits. laraigosa (D), and Alejandro I would like to thank the Diversity Commi ee Negron at the Legisla ve Black History Month or members and volunteers for all your commitment, Conference. Na onal African- dedica on, and par cipa on. 8 The Democrat 8 8