DemocratThe The Newsletter of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee

March 2015 Volume 2, Issue 3

Inside Washington: Representative (D-11)

Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA -11) has been very busy dealing with foreign affairs and domesc issues. This past month the Congressman has been involved with issues dealing with Israel and Korea. Congressman Gerry Connolly aended the Joint Session of Congress of March 3, 2015 receiving the remarks of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Congressman Connolly aended as a symbol of his lifelong commitment to the State of Israel and the enduring relaonship 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 hurul. It has driven a parsan 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 diplomac protocol. Unfortunately, this confrontaonal style has characterized the Netanyahu approach to our govern- ment since the Clinton Administraon. 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 elecons exactly two weeks away.

(connued on page 6)

Message from the FCDC Chairman Sue Langley Unlike most recent years, a protracted winter season has meant record-seng low temperatures, snow accumulaons like we haven’t seen in years, and delays, cancel- laons, and rescheduling affecng 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 commiee meengs. The weather did not, however, interfere with our celebraon of last year’s elecon 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 geng through the 2014 elecon cycle, and posioned us to finish our fiscal year on March 31 (connued on page 2)

1 www.fairfaxdemocrats.org

Message from the FCDC Chairman Sue Deadlines for Langley The Democrat (connued from page 1)

April 2015 Edion Amid all the weather disrupons, Serious challenges confront some of Friday, March 27, 2015 Commiee business connues to our incumbents in the House and May 2015 Edion move forward. On the filing dead- Senate, and the contests for Super- Friday, April 24, 2015 line of February 24, we nofied the visor and School Board are taking State Board of Elecons of the shape amid uncertainty over the Arcles/ photos must be method of selecon for 54 different county budget due to shoralls in submied as aach- posions 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- reelecon. 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 opportunies do exist to and eding. For more Vernon, a spirited contest is under- succeed in meeng this objecve. informaon, contact the- way for the vacancy due to the re- The largest turnout of Northern democrat@fairfaxdemoc rement of Gerry Hyland. Four con- 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 celebraon 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-aend event for acvist Dem- has a strong possibility of succeed- ocrats, whether or not they reside ing rering Supervisor Michael Frye. in the Congressman’s 11th District. Delegate Tom Rust’s rerement Published monthly by the Past aendees have included every- may mean a pickup for the Demo- Fairfax County Democrac one from the volunteer envelope crats; Jennifer Boysko came within stuffers and phone callers to the Commiee 32 votes of defeang 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. hp://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org

Editorial Team: Terry Matlaga Bell, Mark Your Calendar Michael Fruitman, Linda Waller FCDC General Membership Meeng, Tues- Views expressed do not necessarily day, March 24, 2015 at 7:30 PM Locaon: represent those of the FCDC unless South County High School, 8501 Silverbrook expressly approved by an appropriate commiee resoluon. Road, Lorton, Virginia 22079.

Copyright@2014 Visit the FCDC meeng and event calendar for an up-to-date schedule of county commiee, subcommiees, and magisterial district meengs and upcoming democrac fundraisers.

The2 Democrat 2

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 Educaon: Operang at and health coverage for the chil- biparsan 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 universies address will expand services to 7,500 un- some prudent correcons 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 addional $5.4 Addionally, 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 addional 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- tunies for all Virginians. Senate school construcon loans. porve 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 educaon 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 transion 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, spling the cost evenly Governor’s Development Oppor- meaningful increase since 2007. with the localies. An addional tunity Fund, which is used to Here are some highlights of the $1.2 million has been added to aract 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 incenves set aside to encourage companies to hire veterans.. Protecng Public Educaon: 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 Aer the Bell” pilot year to provide medical and be- take up amended legislaon from program. This iniave 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 parcipang 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 subcommiee that Some bills were presented on the dollars to other states every day controls all such legislaon. Even floor of the General Assembly; and hundreds of thousands of more discouraging was the pas- others died in commiee. Some low-income Virginia working fam- sage of two truly egregious bills that passed include legislaon ilies are denied basic health cov- that would threaten the safety of granng local school systems erage. In addion, Virginia hospi- our children and make our com- more flexibility to waive SOL tests tals, already suffering a financial munies 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 ing 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 collecons erans adjust to civilian life; legis- Virginia General Assembly. I had for several misdemeanors associ- laon 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 legislaon aempng 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 pracces in public faced. Over the next year I look This year we also strengthened schools, encourage the reporng 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 parcipate in decisions made portaon challenges, and keep vices. The budget also provided by a homeowners associaon. our community secure. modest raises for the teachers Regreably, 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- munies and support our values. vents any meaningful progress Unfortunately, opposion to toward gun safety. I introduced a health care reform at the naon- bill to bar any criminal convicted al level connued to prevent Vir- twice of violent domesc abuse

4 The Democrat 4

Report from the Board of Supervisors: Chairman of the Board

The most important acon 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 adopng 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 aend a town high quality police, fire and res- Public Schools. In the adversed hall meeng, or you can tesfy 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 informaon 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 meengs, 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 direcon from the School budget. When we adopt the budget, we Board of Supervisors, the county Educaon is our Board's highest are invesng in the priories of execuve proposed a $7.13 bil- priority but it is not our only pri- our community. I hope to hear lion adversed all funds budget ority. During the weeks ahead, what your priories are before for public consideraon. The our Board will strike a balance we amend or “mark-up” the ad- General Fund budget that is between valued services and versed 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- naon’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 generaons of women Board for the country’s 10th largest women holding elecve 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. Naonal resources in- cincts in Fairfax County, we have 4 Sharon Bulova, is joined by two fe- cluding The , women and 13 men. Of the 9 senate male Democrac colleagues, Cathy Naonal Archives and Records Ad- districts partly or fully located in Hudgins, Penny Gross, and Linda ministraon, Naonal Endowment Fairfax County, there are 4 women Smyth, among the 10 members of for the Humanies, Naonal Gallery and 5 men. And even though other the County Board of Supervisors. of Art, Naonal Park Service, Smith- jurisdicons reached this milestone Tamara Derenak Kaufax chairs the sonian Instuon, 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 Democrac 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 contribuons to our The Democrat 5 5

Inside Washington: Representative Gerry Connolly (VA-11)

(connued 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 Democrac 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 mac nicees; namely the Irani- ons and threats on the world and other countries to imple- an nuclear negoaons. By stage. ment Commission recommenda- acng in such a blatantly parsan 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 tenal issue, to one of parochial ed family reunificaon meengs Reunificaons between families parsan polics - 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 fleeng family reunificaon language and American community who main- opportunies. This is an issue an amendment to the North Ko- tain family es with relaves in that South Korean President Park rea sancons bill passed by North Korea. The commiee Geun-Hye is seeking to improve House Foreign Affairs Com- also accepted Connolly’s amend- through her Peace and Reunifica- miee. The legislaon (H.R. 757), ment requiring the Department on Iniave, and this amend- cosponsored by Congressman of State to report on acons 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 Commiee and port the recommendaons of the the pain of separaon felt by Co-Chair of the House Korea Cau- United Naons Commission of Korean families. People in the News Congressman (VA-8) from the House of Representa- of the Virginia Associaon of has been elected by the Demo- ves. Counes, Penny Gross. Also in crac Caucus as Ranking Mem- Congressman Gerry Connolly aendance was rering Mount ber of the Subcommiee 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 naon’s counes” at a serve on the Joint Economic ceremony. Commiee, a bicameral com- The “NACo Alumni Award” was miee composed of ten mem- presented to Connolly by Mason bers from the Senate and ten District Supervisor and president

6 The Democrat 6

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 combinaon dressing these “kitchen table is- back to work,” but demonstrates of actual crises and Republican- sues would be a standalone Joint lile interest in either job crea- manufactured scandals (the House and Senate Commiee on on or economic growth. Instead, Affordable Care Act website, Ebo- Job Creaon, Economic Growth, under former chairman Rep. Dar- la, the Islamic State, Benghazi, and Global Compeveness. This rell Issa’s (Republican, CA-49) IRS). In addion, Democrats are ideal commiee would use the leadership, it focused on the IRS, sll reeling from devastang los- recommendaons of policy ex- oversight of the Affordable Care es in the 2014 midterm elecons, perts and fact-based perfor- Act, and invesgang federal reg- that New York Times reporter ulators. mance measures to develop leg- Jackie Calmes diagnosed thus: islaon and act as a clearing- In lieu of our ideal commiee, “Democrats were complaining house for all federal acvies given that Democrats no longer that the party had failed to devel- affecng jobs and the economy, control the House or Senate, Fair- op a naonal economic message similar to how the Naonal Coun- fax Democrats should advocate and policy agenda that would terterrorism Center organizes all for our Democrac lawmakers to appeal both to white men and to U.S. counterterrorism acvies. It lead in circumvenng the com- women and minories.” would coordinate these efforts by miee process and forming a developing partnerships, solic- Joint Caucus on Job Creaon, Eco- It's me for Democrats to learn ing policy proposals, and fund- nomic Growth, and Global Com- from our mistakes and coalesce ing internships/fellowships for peveness. There are over 694 around a naonal economic mes- state and local governments, caucuses, ranging from the Con- sage that exemplifies our pro- nonprofits, universies, small gressional Gaming Caucus to the gressive legacy. We, the grass- businesses, and mulnaonal Congressional Cement Caucus; roots, should commit to helping corporaons. the caucus recommended here the naonal party hone a naon- could be billed as a special inter- al message for the 2016 presiden- Unfortunately, such acons are not reflected in the record of the est group for “working Ameri- al elecon that focuses on the cans” with the same goals and primary concerns of the Ameri- actual House Subcommiee on Economic Growth, Job Creaon, approach as the ideal commiee can people: creang 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 Aucon, 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.

The Democrat 7 7

FCDC Diversity Committee - Nelly Samaniego, Chair

The Diversity Commiee's main goals are commu- American History Month is an annual celebraon nity outreach, visibility, and voter registraon. The of achievements by African-Americans and a me FCDC Diversity Commiee strives to understand for recognizing the central role of African- the issues that affect the diverse communies of Americans in U.S. history. our area and has tried its best to show support On Sunday, February 8, and solidarity for these communies. These are we celebrated Black His- the acvies we have covered this year. tory Month at Mount

Pleasant Bapst In January, we joined the Lano organizaons coa- Church. I had the honor lion and the of meeng 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 Celebraon Richmond. membrance and During this recognion. Congressmen Don Beyer aended the day of acon celebraon and gave a wonderful speech honoring we visit- the community. ed delegates and the Vir- Dreamers and Dreamers Moms in Rich- The Diversity Commiee parcipated in and cele- ginia Assem- mond - Advocacy Day brated the Lunar New Year. This tradion is bly to show among Asia’s our support to Democrac 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 aended a two-day legislave Vietnam. conference and made advocacy visits. The confer- Members of ence highlighted crical the Diversity legislave issues Commiee affecng Hispanic Chinese New Year Celebraon aended a Americans. Several pan- Chinese New Year celebraon on Saturday, Febru- els of experts, elected ary 14 at Luther Jackson Middle School and on officials, and members Sunday, the 15th, we parcipated in the Viet- of Congress from both namese New Year or TET at JEB Stuart High School pares spoke about where we learned from their tradions and en- healthcare, comprehen- joined the dance parade. While enjoying both rich sive immigraon re- cultural fesvals, we focused on our dues of out- form, educaon, and reach, voter registraon, and Democrac Com- advocacy. The second Nelly Samaniego, Former Los miee informaon. day was dedicated to Angeles Mayor Antonio Vil- Capitol Hill visits. laraigosa (D), and Alejandro I would like to thank the Diversity Commiee Negron at the Legislave Black History Month or members and volunteers for all your commitment, Conference. Naonal African- dedicaon, and parcipaon. 8 The Democrat 8 8