On Wednesday, I began my 5th term as a Delegate, representing the citizens of Herndon, Oak Hill, and Sterling; and this Saturday, I will attend the inauguration of Governor Elect McDonnell.  I expect this session to be exciting (with 20 new delegates) and difficult (budget and transportation), and I look forward to finding innovative solutions for the issues we face.  I have been assigned to 4 House Committees:  Education, Transportation, Commerce & Labor, and Science & Technology.  In addition, I will continue as co-chairman of Science and Technology, and chairman of the Higher Education sub-committee.  I encourage you to visit the Virginia General Assembly website to learn more about the legislative process and specifically the work we do  (including the status of my bills).
 
Where's the money?
 
The impact of the budget is the biggest problem we will face when dealing with the recession which is as bad as what our country experienced in the 1930's. I can assure you we will be focused on the priorities brought up over the past year which includes restoring our economy by focusing on jobs, schools, and roads. The dwindling state revenue accompanied by the potential of more unfunded mandates from Washington, including the healthcare bill which could overwhelm our state budget by costing about $600 million additional per year.
 
Virginia's revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2010 does reflect growth which is well below historical trend-lines and alongside this is the projection of the annual general fund revenues to fall below the actual collections of what we had in 2007. Additionally, we in Fairfax and Loudoun have been faced with even more challenges to our school budgets. The unprecedented action of freezing the current education funding formula by Governor Kaine will result in an additional $60 million loss for Fairfax schools and an additional loss to Loudoun schools of about $35 million.  As the co-chair of the Northern Virginia delegation, Senator Colgan and I have called a special meeting to discuss this very subject. These are just a few issues we will be working on in the weeks to come.
 
Small Tick, Debilitating Disease

At the request of a constituent, I introduced a bill this year (HB 512), which, if passed, would allow for the long term use of antibiotics to treat Lyme disease (currently, standard protocol allows for 4 weeks).  Lyme disease can be a debilitating disease caused by bacteria that some people get after being bitten by ticks infected with an organism named Borrelia burgdorferi.  It continues to spread rapidly, especially in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, and the reported cases have doubled in Virginia during the last two years.  

Haiti Tragedy

My thoughts and prayers are with the Haitian people during this tragic time; the damage and lives lost are incomprehensible.  As a result, charities are rapidly collecting donations to send food, water, medical supplies, and people down there to aid in the relief efforts; Fairfax County has sent their Urban Search & Rescue Task Force.  Unfortunately, scam artists are using the tragedy as an opportunity to earn money by deceiving you.  Here is some information I found on the Federal Trade Commission's website, which I thought might be of interest to you:  

•  If you are solicited for a donation take some time to familiarize yourself with the tragedy so that you know where your hard-earned money is going.  
• Check the history of the organization; make sure they are an established charity.  
• If the charity has sprung up overnight, they probably will not have the infrastructure to get your donations to the affected area.  
• Be wary of high pressure pitches, it is okay to say 'no'.  
• Also, be skeptical and check your records if they thank you for a donation you don't remember making.  
• Always avoid giving cash donations, use a check or credit card.  
• Don't give out personal of financial information.

 
For more information on possible charity scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website.
To find out ways that you can help the recovery effort in Haiti, visit www.InterAction.org, a coalition of humanitarian organizations responding to the crisis.   
 
I look forward to seeing you at one of my Town Hall meetings on January 23rd in Sterling, Herndon, or Oak Hill.  

Warm regards,