VDOT Maintenance Allocation System
 
After years of effort by many in the Northern Virginia delegation to the General Assembly, myself included, to change the highway maintenance formula, some success has been achieved!  VDOT is now using pavement data collection technology and traffic volumes when allocating maintenance dollars.  I am pleased to note that one of the first pieces of legislation I got approved pertained to "maintenance and asset management" which required VDOT to use "a systematic process of operating the state system of highways."  As a result, the maintenance allocation for NOVA will more than double from about $37 million per year to $84 million in FY09-FY10.  This is good news but many of our roads, particularly those in the secondary system, still have substantial unmet maintenance needs.  I will continue to work on the issue!
 
2-1-1 Virginia
 
Need assistance and do not know where to get information on volunteer opportunities, after school programs, home health care agencies, etc.?  2-1-1 Virginia is the answer.  It is a nonprofit agency that provides access to various services in the local community and also statewide.  This easy to remember, toll-free phone number allows residents in Virginia to receive an opportunity to converse with a trained professional who will listen to the situation, which is completely confidential and suggest sources of aid using one of the largest databases of human and health services in Virginia with no cost.  For more information feel free to visit www.211virginia.org.
 
The Right Lanes
 
On Saturday, May 30th, 2009 The Right LANEs (Ladies Advancing a New Economy) is organizing a busload of women to embark on their first excursion from Herndon, Virginia to Charlottesville, Virginia on a mission to support small and family-owned businesses throughout the entire road trip.  They will also host seminars on topics ranging from stress management to dressing for success. The mission of The Right LANEs is to bring together professional women for one-day road trips that stimulate local economies and support local charities while fostering personal and professional empowerment through networking, bonding, and friendship. I will be supporting this effort by donating shopping bags for the ladies to use.  For more information, you can log onto www.therightlanes.com.
 
Good News/Bad News
 
Good News:  For the first time since September 2008, Virginia's unemployment rate did not go up in March.  Initial claims for unemployment in March dropped when compared to February.  While our unemployment rate is still too high, there does appear to be improvement.  Virginia's unemployment rate is 2% less than the nations and NOVA's is about 2% lower than the state's.  Hopefully some of the job creation actions we took in the General Assembly will bring futher improvement in the marketplace.
 
Bad News:  The Virginia tax collections dropped 21.3% in April which could result in another $225 million reduction in the state budget by June 30, 2009.  Final decisions on the budget will be made after the results of May and June collections are known.  The single biggest drop was in corporate tax.
 
New DMV Drivers Licenses
 
In the coming weeks, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will be implementing its new driver's license and identification card issuing process. The new cards will include twenty one state of the art security features making them the most secure and trusted state issued credentials in the nation.  The Virginia Department of Motor vehicles is encouraging all residents to keep their address with the DMV up to date, because the new cards will be issued from a central processing center via the postal service within five to seven days of renewal. Eligible citizens can continue to renew through preferred services (Internet, Telephone, and Mail). Citizens requiring in person drivers license renewal at a DMV office will be issued a receipt showing that their eligibility to drive with their old credentials and then receive their new credentials in five to seven business days.

Last week I had the priviledge of visiting a Herndon High School government class.  I was impressed at how articulate and engaging the students were, asking pointed questions on such topics as the death penalty, teen driving, and the Dillon rule to name a few.  I also attended Herndon Community Day, the Sterling Teen Job Fair, the FISH Fling, and a Northern Virginia Transportation Authority meeting of which I am a member.  I hope to see you at my re-election campaign Kick-Off on June 11!
 
Warm regards,

 

SAVE THE DATE

2009 is another election year, and we're having our campaign kick-off on Thursday, June 11th at 6:30pm.  You are invited to come - our compliments.  It's being held at Artspace in Herndon on 750 Center Street.  Ann and I hope you can make it out.