Happy New Year!  The beginning of a new year brings the start of the 2010 General Assembly session.  This year we will inaugurate a new Governor, enact new laws, and pass a balanced budget, which will be a very serious challenge.  It is no surprise to anyone that we are, statistically, in the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930's.  Billions of dollars have been cut from the existing (2008-2010) budget and another $3.0-$3.5 billion dollars will need to be reduced in the new (2010-2012) budget.  Every area of the budget will be subject to very intense scrutiny as our Constitution requires a balanced budget - there can be no deficit spending!
 
Ways to stay up to date:
 
The Rust Report:  weekly updates each Friday.
Facebook: Follow me on Facebook
Web:  follow legislation and view the House or Senate live via the Internet
 
I want to hear from you...
 
This Saturday, January 9th at 9 am, Fairfax County will hold a Pre-Legislative Session Public Hearing for residents to express their views to the Delegates and Senators who represent the citizens of Fairfax County.  The meeting will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway.  Individuals who would like to speak can sign up by calling 703-324-3151.
 
On January 23, I will be holding a series of Town Hall meetings, and I encourage you to attend and let me know your views concerning issues that may be discussed during the General Assembly session.
Sterling Community Center
120 Enterprise Street
Joint meeting with Senator Herring  
 
1:00 pm - HerndonTown Hall Meeting
Herndon Town Council Chambers
765 Lynn Street
Joint meeting with Senator Howell
 
3:00 pm - Oak Hill Town Hall Meeting
Frying Pan Park Visitor Center
2709 West Ox Road
Joint meeting with Senator Herring
 
This week I had the opportunity to meet with 21 stellar students at Herndon Middle School.  These students wrote and published a book of poetry, Winter Coat, while participating in Kwame Alexander's Book-in-a-Day program.  They were the first Middle School in the country to accomplish this.  The poetry that these students wrote was outstanding and I enjoyed reading the book.  I appreciated getting the chance to meet each of the students, and was thrilled to be given a copy of the book that they had each signed.  I will be hanging one of the poems, which each student has signed, in the hall of the General Assembly Building in Richmond this session; as well as displaying their book in my office.  If you are interested in a copy of the book, please contact Herndon Middle School.
 
"The Best of 2009"

I was pleased to be featured in Dr. Gridlock's article, "Transportation experts weigh in on the best, worst of 2009" in this past Sunday's Washington Post, as one of the 'best':

"Meeting future needs:  Enactment of a bill sponsored by Del. Thomas Davis Rust (R-Fairfax) requiring that the Commonwealth Transportation Board identify existing and new transportation corridors of statewide significance."

In my opinion, this in the long term will change and improve the way Virginia does major transportation planning and construction with a major emphasis on the connection between land use and transportation.
 
Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Virginia General Assembly - I am truly honored.

Warm regards,