crat himself ofavailed a gubernatorial privilege a to Marchthe2 his bid for office, Governor proposedMcAuliffe allowi for the Even region. though part this common theof ter in Bristol, whose supporters would proclaim, cr stadium baseball and parking lot, but thedid bill On February 25, a was local approve government bill ians, both andoffshore ports.in the leasing agreements and produc on. In addi on tothe to doWhy?has beenso. Virginia promised the pote of governors from other andmid-Atlan c Gulf Coast On February 24, 2014, Governor informed McAuliffe workforce. Center,Training Governor McAuliffe announced ini a and Mathema cs plus History (STEM-H) academy at the In Daleville, Virginia, when Botetourt’svisi ng Sc strong. Governor McAuliffe’s fulfillment of his campaign pled Governor McAuliffe: It’s All About Jobs ia Civil Rights Archive: Personal Histories Stru of I inviteme to join you in commemora ng this import havethey pact in today’s society. tes monials from Northern Virginians the sacr about Democrat DemocratDemocrat DemocratDemocrat The Newsletter of the Fairfax County Democratic Com Com Democratic Democratic County Fairfax theCounty Fairfax of the of Newsletter The Newsletter The The Newsletter of the Fairfax County Democratic Com Com Democratic Democratic County Fairfax theCounty Fairfax of the of Newsletter The Newsletter The The Richmond News DispatchRichmond it Ihas wrought, am archivalsponsoring an history 1964. commemorateTo this landmark piece legisla of Report from Congressman Gerry Connolly Inside Washington: This July, our na on will celebrate the 50th Annive www.fairfaxdemocrats.org , “It was the since first me taking office in January March 2014March Volume 1,1 Issue ience, Technology,ience, Engineering not a address proposal forfundedpublicly a shoppi nchored in the state cons tu on:to introduce legis ggle and Achievement. eate 2,000eate new jobs createtaxand revenu addi onal wealth wealth did notsupport overwhelming the governor in n al of “tens n al ofof dollars in royal esmillions” o d in the Assembly General to financeFredericksbur a states to forpush thedrilling: offshore firstDemoc The Washington Post ge togoingis Virginia ng Bristol to con nue thefinancing project. Accordi royal es, royal es, strong opportunity exists for jobs V for ifices victories and the civilof rights erathe and ant milestoneant par cipa ng by in the Northern Virgin ves ves and con nued support for ensuring a trained Greenfield Educa on and
that he would join coali on the project to collect record and rsary of the Civilof rsary Rights Act of on and on the posi ve changes con nuedon page 2 mittee mittee mitteemittee
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- Message from the FCDC Chair
Governor On January 7, I was honored and McAuliffe: It’s humbled to be elected FCDC chair when nearly 600 FCDC members All About Jobs braved record cold to par cipate in (con nued from page 1) our biennial reorganiza on. I want to thank Cesar del Aguila for his
two years leading this organiza on. Sue Langley, Chair, Governor McAuliffe knows The first months of 2014 have been Fairfax County that the Commonwealth’s busy and successful for FCDC. Democra c Commi ee economic base must be Thanks to our members, friends, diverse in the companies and family for making our first and industries it a racts fundraisers of the year—the Road Congressman Frank Wolf’s an- and in the skills of its work- to Richmond brunch and the Blue nounced re rement from the force. The workforce must Jeans Ball —were great successes. Northern Virginia congressional be educated, trained, and Lieutenant Governor Ralph North- delega on gives us the best chance am, Senator Mark Warner, and in more than 30 years to put the be in good health, both in many other elected officials joined three members of Congress who the small towns and the us to celebrate our 2013 victories. represent Fairfax County in the large urban areas. Democra c column. President Beyond jobs, the governor On January 21, FCDC volunteers’ Obama and Governor Terry and members’ hard work paid off McAuliffe fell short of winning has been ac vely pushing when Jennifer Wexton won a spe- Wolf’s district by only 1 percent. for Medicaid expansion. In cial elec on to fill A orney General With hard work and dedicated re- Richmond, Governor Mark Herring’s 33 rd District Senate sources, we will win that seat. The McAuliffe fights the Repub- seat. Without this win, the Virginia 10 th Congressional District nominee licans in the General As- State Senate would have been in will be selected at the April 26 sembly con nually on this Republican hands, without the pos- Tenth Congressional District con- sibility of a ebreaker vote. Thank ven on (more details at issue, drawing a line in the you to all who helped with phone www.FairfaxDemocrats.org ). sand when, according to banks, canvasses, Elec on Day cov- the February 26 Virginian- erage, and post-Elec on Day work. While we have two open seats to Pilot, he stated that ac- It really does take a village! Your fill, we must also send Senator cep ng a budget bill with- work delivered a decisive win in Mark Warner and Congressman out Medicaid expansion is Fairfax County, where Jennifer Gerry Connolly back to Congress to "not a nego a ng strategy Wexton won nearly 61 percent of con nue their excellent representa- the vote. on of Fairfax County and Virginia. for me."
We have exci ng work ahead of us. With this important work ahead of With the re rement of Congress- us, let us come together at our sig- man Jim Moran, we are losing an nature event, the Jefferson-Jackson icon. Jim has served Fairfax County Day Dinner, on May 4, to celebrate and Northern Virginia with dis nc- our accomplishments, recognize on for the past 30 years. While his our volunteers, and embrace the shoes will be hard to fill, we must challenges that lie ahead. and will do so. Thanks to all for everything you do! 2 The Democrat Inside Washington: Report from Congressman Gerry Connolly continued from page 1 All across Virginia, the fight against And we want future genera ons to ins tu onalized discrimina on remember visionaries like Robert Si- brought about stories of hope and mon, who founded Reston on the “Our local heroes in courage and, unfortunately, injus ce principle that people of all different Northern Virginia and inequality. While much of the his- races and backgrounds could live o en remain tory of the civil rights movement in alongside one another, even in a seg- anonymous to the Virginia has been well documented, regated Virginia. communi es that our local heroes in Northern Virginia We are seeking out those who want to o en remain anonymous to the com- stand on their volunteer their personal stories about muni es that stand on their shoul- shoulders.” the struggles they faced, the triumphs ders. they achieved, or the experiences of When our children a end school, we people they know related to equal would like them to be aware of the rights and dignity for all Americans, efforts of Fannie Fitzgerald and the then and today. Courageous Four, young teachers who Our archives will be shared with the integrated Prince William County Library of Congress, George Mason Schools 10 years a er Brown v. Board University, and the Fairfax and Prince of Educa on. William library systems on July 2, When our children a end school, we 2014. would like them to be aware of the With your help, our community can efforts of Fannie Fitzgerald and the create a very personal accoun ng of Courageous Four, young teachers who the civil rights movement in Northern integrated Prince William County Virginia and preserve an important Schools 10 years a er Brown v. Board part of history that will be studied and of Educa on . cherished by future genera ons. We want them to learn about Robert Gaskill, who was commissioned into (Those who want to provide a tes mo- one of the last all-black ba alions in nial or seek more informa on about the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of our Northern Virginia Civil Rights Ar- general. chive: Personal Histories of Struggle and Achievement can visit connol- Published monthly by the ly.house.gov or call 703-670-4989.) Fairfax County Democra c Commi ee 2815 Hartland Road, Suite 110, Falls Church, VA 22043 Tel: (703) 573-6811 Fax: (703) 560-7004 h p://fairfaxdemocrats.org
March Edi on Editorial Team: Terry Matlaga Bell, Michael Fruitman, Linda Waller Views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the FCDC unless expressly approved by an appropriate commi ee resolu on. Copyright@2014, FCDC, All Rights Reserved The Democrat 3 Inside Richmond: Report from Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw
Gree ngs from Richmond! ers, it seems that the $64 tax is on its way to repeal. Mental health reform Since early January we have been en- has absorbed hundreds of hours in the trenched in the Capital working on legisla ve process. Look for increased reorganizing the Senate, passing hun- revenue to address some of the grow- dreds of bills, and deba ng the bienni- ing needs of this popula on. A major al budget. Along with Lt. Governor step in the right direc on will be the Ralph Northam and A orney General psych bed registry and addi onal me State Senator Richard Mark Herring, we welcomed in Terry for pa ents under Emergency Custody McAuliffe as Governor on January Saslaw, Virginia Senate Orders. Majority Leader 11th. Con nuing your steadfast efforts to flip the Majority in the Senate As of this wri ng, the most divisive (THANK YOU!) , we survived the freez- issue s ll to be resolved is the expan- ing cold, snow, sleet and a protracted sion of Medicaid in the Common- recount to bring Senators Lynwood wealth. There are over 400,000 thou- Lewis and Jennifer Wexton into the sand uninsured Virginians that await “A major step in Senate Democra c Caucus. access to health care. It is so short- sighted to keep emergency room care the right direc on The confluence of these events set the as the primary resource for our low- stage for an historic reorganiza on. I will be the psych income earners. This issue remains the like to think we are the more deliber- bed registry and deal breaker between the two Cham- ate body, lacking the ideologue driven bers. addi onal me for obstruc onists we see across the hall pa ents under of the Capitol. Don’t mistake me, the Senate also has its challenges. It is a pleasure to work with Governor Emergency McAuliffe, Lt. Governor Northam and Custody Orders.“ Key topics at the General Assembly for a Senate Democra c Majority. We will the past two months have focused con nue to lead the legisla ve fight around ethics, mental health, Medi- for hard working Virginians and their caid expansion, adjustments to families. HB2313 (the 2013 transporta on bill), public educa on, all the way to fox penning and puppy mill laws. Much to the relief of some hybrid vehicle own- Inside FCDC Headquarters The Headquarters team has been very phones, computers, coffee makers, busy. We’ve rented addi onal storage microwaves, printers, and clip space and huge amounts of stuff has boards for campaigns. Contact Frank been recycled, trashed, or placed into Anderson or Barbara Caputo. storage. Office bulle n boards and handbooks are being updated and We have interns regularly volunteer- recycling bins have been set up. ing in the office so if your commi ee be for a specific project and should or campaign needs help with a par c- include the name of the individual We con nue to host a furniture ex- ular project please contact Frank An- who will be responsible for training change: tables, chairs, office supplies, derson . Your intern request should and supervision.
4 The Democrat The Fairfax Report : Chairman Sharon Bulova Remembering Shirley Carson Hello fellow Democrats! I am proud to contribute to Tuesday, November 6, 2012 … will be re- the relaunched Democra t. membered as the day the United States Thanks to Sue Langley and held its 57th quadrennial presiden al elec- her editorial team for on, the day President Obama was reelect- bringing back this great ed and Tim Kaine was elected U.S. Senator, publica on. and the day Shirley Carson cast her last bal- Sharon Bulova, lot. I would like to give you a Chairman, Fairfax quick overview of what’s Shirley Carson is one of our unsung Demo- County Board of happening in Fairfax cra c heroes. A dedicated poll worker, Supervisors County. Our annual budg- FCDC member, campaign contributor, and et process is just begin- volunteer; and a teacher who, a er re re- ning, although every year it seems to start earlier. We have a ment from FCPS, regularly volunteered at new Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent, Karen Gar- FCDC Headquarters. Shirley Carson’s contri- za, who joins us from Lubbock, Texas. I look forward to work- bu ons will be remembered by many. ing with Dr. Garza on inves ng in our number one priority, a However, it is what Shirley did in the last world class educa on system. moments of her life that should be remem- bered by all. Adop ng the budget is the most important thing our Board does during the year. When we adopt the budget, we are in- A poll worker at Greenspring knew that ves ng in the priori es and needs of the community. It is cri - Shirley was weak and could not wait in the cal that we have the community at the table with us when we long lines to vote. Arrangements were are considering changes to the budget that the County Execu- made: Shirley would receive a call to come ve will have released by the me you read this. There will be down when there was a lull in voter ac vity, many opportuni es for you to learn about the budget, ask most likely some me in the a ernoon. In ques ons, and make sugges ons at town mee ngs and fo- the morning of November 6, 2012, Shirley rums that will be scheduled throughout the County during the must have known that her me was on this March and April. Online informa on and material will also be earth was coming to a close. She wheeled available to you at h p://www.fairfaxcounty.giv/dmb /. down to the Greenspring vo ng area. The poll worker was surprised to see her. In addi on to Dr. Garza, we have many new leaders serving “Shirley,” she said. “What are you doing the Fairfax County community this year. New Police Chief Ed down here?“ Shirley answered, “I had to Roessler, Fire and Rescue Chief Richie Bowers, and newly come down and vote now, I might not be elected Sheriff Stacey Kincaid have taken the reins at their or- around later.” That a ernoon, Shirley Car- ganiza ons. I am excited to work with them to keep Fairfax son took a nap to make sure she was able to County safe. watch the evening returns. Shirley never got I hope you had an opportunity to tune in to my 2014 State of to watch the returns. Some me during that the County program, released last month on Channel 16. It is nap, Shirley died. available to watch on YouTube and my County website at To the many loyalists who work and vote www.fairfaxcounty.gov/chairman . for Democrats and who passed quietly like Thank you for your service to Fairfax County and to the Demo- Mrs. Shirley M. Carson, we salute you. cra c Party. I look forward to working with you to keep Fairfax County the great place it is to live, work, and play. The Democrat 5 Income Equality in America: How We Can Help Solve the Problem Volunteers Needed Sean Barnett, National Affairs, Mason Headquarters needs addi- Income inequality in the United gains and wages similarly. Have onal volunteers to staff States has become severe and it has the wealthy pay their fair share the front desk, answer been aggravated by policies driven for benefi ng from the society phones, and provide some by a 40-year campaign by corpora- that we all create. ons, wealthy individuals, and the office support. • Strengthen and enforce laws Republican Party to acquire power suppor ng compe on, like the and wealth. As Democrats we Training will be provid- an -trust laws. Eliminate unfair should change those policies to pro- ed. There are openings on advantages for big business mote the economic security of all over small business and work- Tuesday, Thursday, and Americans. ers. Friday a ernoons from Many prominent economists, poli - • Reform the financial services 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM or cal scien sts, industry leaders, and sector. End “too big to fail” and elected officials have studied in- 4:00 PM. “too big for trial” for banks. come inequality and iden fied poli- Limit the use of risky financial If you are interested, cies that could help reduce it. This deriva ves. Limit excessive in- is a summary of what they have contact terest rates and fees. Make the offered. [email protected]. bankruptcy laws fairer to small • Raise the minimum wage to debtors. $10.10 per hour and link it to • Insist on fair trade and protect the growth of U.S. labor produc- American jobs. vity. Deadlines for • Improve access to educa on to • Strengthen the enforcement of The Democrat allow all Americans to become U.S. labor laws. Revitalize un- produc ve ci zens and realize April 2014 Edi on ions and strengthen workers’ their dreams. bargaining power. Friday, March 28, 2014 • Reform corporate governance • Rebuild America’s infrastruc- to give shareholders more con- May 2014 Edi on ture. Improvements will boost trol over corporate expendi- economic growth. New workers Friday, April 25, 2014 tures and execu ve compensa- will buy more of what business- on. Ar cles/ photos must be es make. Economic security is vital today for submi ed via email to the- • Stem the undue influence of almost all Americans and it has democrat@fairfaxdemocrats corpora ons and money in our been a core Democra c value since .org as a achments. All sub- poli cs. Amend the Cons tu- the me of Andrew Jackson. We, as missions are subject to a on to overturn Ci zens United Democrats, should support eco- word limit. For more infor- v. Federal Elec on Commission nomic security for all Americans, ma on, contact thedem- and establish that corpora ons not only because it will help us win [email protected]. are not people and money is elec ons, but because it will make not speech. our country a be er place and it is 6 The Democrat • Make the tax code fairer. Close something in which we believe. loopholes and treat capital
8th Congressional District Report Pixie Bell
The Eighth District Democra c Congressional pected. Any candidate who wants to run must Commi ee held its first monthly mee ng of collect 1,000 qualified signatures by the end of 2014 at the Atlan s Restaurant in Alexandria on March. January 20. The highlight of the mee ng was a Commi ee members also reported on the pro- visit and brief address by Eighth District Con- cess and results of local commi ee reorganiza- gressman Jim Moran, who had announced that ons: a er 23 years of dedicated service he would not be seeking another term in November. The Con- • In Alexandria, Clarence Tong is the new gressman will be working on his priori es such chair. as educa on, the environment, and immigra- • Kip Malinosky is the new chair of the Arling- on reform up to the end of his term. ton Commi ee. The Commi ee decided on the process to use • Fairfax County’s new chair is Sue Langley. to select the Democra c nominee to run in the • In Falls Church, Be y Coll was reelected elec on in November. There will be a Demo- Chair. cra c primary elec on. A spirited primary is ex-
11th Congressional District Report George Burke
Dust off your shamrocks and join Congressman has grown to become the largest Gerry Connolly on the evening of Monday, annual poli cal event in North- March 17–the “holiest day of the year”–for his ern Virginia. 20th annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete at Kena Tem- Not Irish? No problem, because ple. everyone is Irish for the day at Along with some of the best corned beef, sal- Gerry’s annual St. Patrick’s Day mon, and cabbage in Northern Virginia and ap- Fete. I hope you can join me and friends and propriate victuals served by our Fairfax fire- poli cal leaders from across Northern Virginia fighters, we’ll have great company, great music, for this special event on Monday, March 17, and a touch of poli cs. from 7-9:30 pm at Kena Temple, 9001 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax. This year, we will hold straw polls for the con- gressional seats in the 8th and 10th Districts, To purchase your ckets, please click here. If where Democrats are vying to replace Jim Mo- you would like to RSVP and pay by mail or at ran and Frank Wolf, respec vely. the door, please email Eileen at [email protected] or contact us by From its humble beginnings as a small gathering phone at 703-375-9374. in the backyard of Gerry and Smi y’s home two decades ago when he first ran for Providence We hope to see you there, and don’t forget to District Supervisor, the St. Patrick’s Day Fete wear a bit ‘o green.
The Democrat 7 10th Congressional District Report Charlie Jackson A Tenth Congressional District Nomi- tees shall elect their delegates and Tenth Congressional District Demo- nating Convention will be held at alternates to the Tenth District Nomi- cra c Nomina ng Conven on . In- 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 26, 2014 nating Convention. The caucuses Person Absentee vo ng for all Fairfax at Park View High School (400 W. Lau- shall be unassembled. County magisterial districts will be rel Avenue, Sterling, VA 20164). The held on Thursday, April 3, 2014 from The Fairfax County Democra c Com- doors to the Nominating Convention 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Fairfax mi ee will hold unassembled caucus- will open at 10:00 AM. For more de- County Democra c Commi ee Head- es between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM on tails on the Call to Convention, visit quarters. (2815 Hartland Road, Suite Saturday, April 5, 2014 for the pur- http://www.10thcdvadems.org/ 110, Falls Church, VA 22043) For pose of elec ng 99 delegates and 20 complete informa on on the call visit, County and City Democratic commit- alternates from Fairfax County to the h p://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org/ FCDC South Regional Report— Matthew Bell What happens the weekend before Chatman (20%), and state Del. Patrick The Springfield District Democra c Mardi Gras? The Mount Vernon Dis- Hope (19%). Commi ee had their 2014 Volunteer trict Democra c Commi ee’s Annual Kick-Off event this past Sunday, On Thursday, February 27, 2014, the Mardi Gras! On Saturday, March 1, March 2, 2014 at the home of Spring- Lee District Democrats Mee ng/ 8th 2014, hundreds of persons a ended field Chairman Ed Deitsch. The Spring- Congressional District Candidate Fo- the Mount Vernon district celebra on field Dems are focusing on turning rum was a ended by nine of the elev- which included a live band, southern out voters from the Springfield pre- en candidates running for the Demo- favorites including fried chicken and cincts in the 10th Congressional Dis- cra c Nomina on. Visit, h p:// king cake, and the first straw poll of trict in hopes to ensure Democrats www.youtube.com/user/ the 2014 8th CD Democra c primary. win that seat for the first me since FairfaxCountyDems to see the candi- Results of the straw poll were: For- 1978. “Springfield 10th District Day date’s speeches filmed by our FCDC mer Lt. Gov. and Ambassador Don of Ac on” will be on Saturday, March Vice Chair for Technology Todd Beyer finished first in the straw poll 29, 2014. Smyth. (25%), followed by ac vist Lavern
Message from Providence District, Paul W. Jameson At the Providence Democrats' reor- Providence has restarted its Dinner & We also will be star ng our series of ganiza on in December, Paul Jame- Discussion series, with mee ngs local house par es again, beginning son con nued as Chair, but all other planned for every third Tuesday of with March 23 for Merrifield precinct. PDDC officers are new: most months this year. Our first Din- Once again, we will have house par- Secretary: Alex Dixon ner & Discussion was held on Febru- es for all precincts or groups of pre- Treasurer: Jim Carey ary 19, with Chris an Dorsey of the cincts this spring, with the goal to get Economic Policy Ins tute discussing together people interested in building Vice Chair Finance: Jennifer Oh income inequality with us. We had up our precinct organiza ons. Vice Chair Technology: Walt Carlson over 40 people come, so we are off to Vice Chairs Precinct Opera ons: a great start! Senora Avery, Jay Bhandari, Frank Lapensee 8 The Democrat