DPVA Political Update
Jan 12th, 2011 | By LDDC | Category: DPVA
2011 DPVA Jefferson Jackson Weekend
The Keynote Speaker for the Jefferson Jackson Dinner has been announced. It will be Hon. Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland and Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Next week’s update with have more info on the weekend, including sponsorship packet info.
In the past couple of months, the DPVA has increased its role in the media heavily since bringing on a Communications Director. During the general assembly session, DPVA will play an even bigger role. Recently, the party has been able to bring back Greg Scanlon, who has worked with the DPVA and the House caucus in the past, to give the ability to quickly back up claims and hold Republicans’ feet to the fire.
DPVA will have staff at Capitol Square every day, working closely with the House and Senate Caucuses promoting Democratic legislation and being a forceful opponent to far right wing legislation coming from the other side. As session marches on, this weekly update will also keep you informed on what DPVA is up to.
Already, we’re asking folks to sign on as Citizen Co-Sponsors to Sen. Donald McEachin’s Fairness and Justice Act. You can do so here, if you haven’t already. Also, please make sure to send this to your own political networks.
January 12th is the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address. House Minority Leader, Del. Ward Armstrong, will be giving the Democratic Response.
1/10 – Moran Statement on McDonnell’s Redistricting Commission Announcement
Richmond, VA – Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran released the following statement today responding to Bob McDonnell’s announcement of a commission to advise him on this year’s redistricting process:
“The Governor deserves credit for initiating a redistricting commission and choosing good public servants with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives to serve on it. I do not doubt that their recommendation will offer a real opportunity for Virginia to draw legislative districts that make sense, without the customary political tricks that are inherent to this process.
“It is unfortunate that the Governor did not see fit to give this well-qualified commission more power to influence the outcome of this process. Without that authority there does not seem to be much hope that Republican legislators will adopt the commission’s recommendations no matter how good they are.
“I appreciate the Governor’s interest in fulfilling a campaign promise, and I congratulate him on the quality of the commission’s membership. In the absence of a more powerful role for the commission I hope he will do what it takes to ensure that their recommendations are reflected in the final outcome of the redistricting process.”
1/9 – Statement on Yesterday’s Tragic Shooting in Arizona
Richmond, VA – Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran released the following statement today in response to yesterday’s tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona in which as many as 20 people were killed or injured including US Representative Gabrielle Giffords:
“On behalf of the Democratic Party of Virginia I would like to express my profound heartbreak over yesterday’s senseless shootings in Arizona. The thoughts and prayers of millions of Virginians and Americans are with the victims and their families today as we take stock of this depraved act and hope that those who committed it will be brought to justice.
“This incident has raised questions about the tone of our political discourse, and while we should refrain from casting blame where it does not belong, this tragedy should be a reminder to all of us that violence, or rhetoric that encourages it, have no place in our politics.”
1/5 – Cantor and Boehner’s Transportation Cuts Expose Danger in McDonnell’s GARVEE Scheme
Richmond, VA – The incoming Republican leadership in the U.S. Congress, which includes Virginia congressman and new majority leader Eric Cantor, indicated yesterday that cutting federal funding for state transportation projects will be a part of their plan to cut government spending in the new congress.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal today, the suggestion of such cuts raises serious doubts about anticipated transportation revenue for states like Virginia:
“Jack Basso of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials said states would be more reluctant to sign long-term construction contracts without the guarantee of future federal aid.
‘If you’re a state DOT, you’ve got to know that the funding stream you’re making these commitments against is going to be there,’ he said.”
This development comes as Governor Bob McDonnell prepares to ask the General Assembly to approve elements of a deficit-spending transportation plan that includes $1.1 billion in Grant Anticipated Revenue Vehicles, or GARVEE bonds. If issued, the bonds would allow the Governor to spend $1.1 billion now in the hope that Virginia will be able to pay the debt back with future federal transportation funding, which House Republicans intend to cut.
“House Republicans threatening to cut transportation exposes the dangerous flaws in Bob McDonnell’s deficit-spending transportation plan,” said Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran. “The governor’s plan to place a $1.1 billion bet on federal transportation funding that a fellow Virginia Republican plans to cut will put our AAA bond-rating and our economic security at risk.
“If Bob McDonnell has his way, he will heap another billion dollars in debt on top of Virginia families without a sufficient guarantee that we will be able to pay the money back.
“All of this uncertainty could be avoided if Bob McDonnell would offer a plan that meets our critical transportation needs without mortgaging our state’s long-term economic health.”
In addition to the $1.1 billion in GARVEE bonds, McDonnell’s transportation plan includes $1.8 billion in state-issued debt. To date the Governor has not identified a dedicated long-term revenue source to pay the debt back and continue to provide funding once the money in his plan runs out.
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