The AFP Blog – Monday, Feb. 2, 2009
- VDOT updates road conditions, Monday, 10:11 p.m.
- Deeds’ redistricting reform passes Senate, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
- Sen. Webb urges aggressive approach to wartime contracting, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
- Retired EMU professor dies, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
- Sims nominated to be HUD deputy, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
- Maynor named CAA player of the week, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
- Valley VDOT road work schedule, Monday, 1:37 p.m.
- Strong majority favors hike in cigarette tax, Monday, 11:50 a.m.
- Groups urge General Assembly to block bill that would undo move toward verifiable voting, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
- Bridgewater sees increase in applications, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
- Seminar on charitable gifts at EMU, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
- Progress Augusta meeting Tuesday night, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
- DCCU seminar on weathering the economic climate, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
***
News: VDOT updates road conditions, Monday, 10:11 p.m.
Snow continues to fall in the Shenandoah Valley this evening. The winter weather began just before sunset.
Here are the conditions as reported by the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton Traffic Operations Center as of 10:00 p.m. this evening:
Interstate 64 – Minor conditions are in Augusta County. Clear conditions in Rockbridge and Alleghany counties.
Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County
Interstate 81 – Clear conditions in Frederick, Shenandoah, Rockingham, Augusta and Rockbridge counties.
Primary roads are in moderate condition in moderate condition in Rockbridge, Highland, and Warren counties. Minor conditions are in Alleghany, Bath, Augusta, Rockingham, Page and Shenandoah counties. Clear conditions are in Clarke and Frederick counties.
Secondary roads are in moderate condition in Bath, Rockbridge, Augusta, Highland, Clarke, Page, Warren and Shenandoah counties. Minor conditions are in Rockingham County. Clear conditions are in Alleghany, Frederick County,
Motorists are reminded that ice and freezing rain conditions can still produce hazardous driving conditions, even when roads are treated. People should not drive unless absolutely necessary. People who are driving in winter road conditions should use extra caution particularly on bridges, overpasses, curves, hills and ramps.
News: Deeds’ redistricting reform passes Senate, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
For seven consecutive years, Senator R. Creigh Deeds has championed a non-partisan redistricting proposal; today’s unanimous vote makes it three consecutive years that proposal has been passed by a bi-partisan coalition in the Virginia Senate. [See: SB 926, 2009]
“This important reform can change the way we do business in state government by putting an end to the bitter partisanship that keeps us from moving Virginia forward,” said Deeds. “With the next redistricting just around the corner, my proposal ensures that the electorate chooses their elected leaders; not the other way around.”
This is the seventh year that Senator Deeds has carried a proposal to reform the partisan process where legislative districts are drawn to protect incumbents and maximize the strength of the ruling party. SB 926 would create a commission with an equal number of members appointed by leaders in both political parties. A seventh independent member would be chosen by a majority vote of the six appointees. The commission would be bound by criteria for drawing legislative districts that excludes the use of previous voting results, demographic data, or the addresses of incumbents.
For the last seven years, Deeds has proposed the creation of a redistricting commission-chaired by a non-partisan member-that would remove partisanship and incumbent protection from the drawing of legislative and congressional districts. Last year’s proposal, SB 38, is identical to this year’s and passed 33-5. In 2007, Deeds’ Senate Joint Resolution 352 was the first time a bi-partisan redistricting proposal passed a chamber of the General Assembly. SJR 352 passed the Senate with the support of seven Republicans but was defeated on an unrecorded vote in a House of Delegates subcommittee. [See: SB 38, 2008; SJR 352, 2007]
News: Sen. Webb urges aggressive approach to wartime contracting, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
Holding those accountable for wartime contracting waste, fraud, and abuse is as important as fixing systemic problems with the federal government’s contracting procedures, said U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) today.
Testifying at the inaugural hearing of the Commission on Wartime Contracting (CWC)—which Webb successfully created with Senator McCaskill through legislation they introduced in 2007—the lawmakers pressed the panel’s commissioners to aggressively use all available resources to deliver on this goal.
Today’s session was the first of several hearings to be conducted as the CWC carries out its statutory mandate. The bipartisan, independent Commission is charged with addressing the systemic problems associated with the federal government’s greatly expanded reliance on wartime-support, reconstruction, and private security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Every interested American knows that there was waste, fraud and abuse following the invasion of Iraq,” said Senator Webb. “They want us to demonstrate that we’re going to do something about it—not simply in terms of process, but also in terms of accountability. There is a very urgent need to restore public trust in the process by holding those responsible accountable.”
Senator Webb underscored the important role of the Commission, urging the commissioners to “be aggressive” in satisfying their mandate and to speak up if they required additional resources and time to conduct their work.
The first hearing of the Commission was held in the same Senate hearing room used by the Truman Committee, which conducted extensive hearings and investigations into government waste during and after World War II. The Committee is estimated to have saved more than $178 billion (in today’s dollars) to the American taxpayer.
Monday’s hearing coincided with the public release of Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen’s report “Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience,” summarizing five years of investigating waste, fraud, and abuse in the U.S. reconstruction effort in Iraq. In addition to Bowen, inspectors general for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies testified.
The Commission’s future hearings will include a review of the work of the recently appointed Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction and, according to Commissioner Charles Tiefer, instances of waste, fraud, and abuse associated with the U.S. Army’s Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP), which relies on private-sector contractors to provide a broad range of logistics and support services to U.S. and allied forces during combat, contingency, peacekeeping, humanitarian and training operations. The CWC’s work also includes outreach to other government agencies, public-interest groups, academic and research organizations, and the contracting community, as well as independent research and investigations by the CWC’s professional staff.
News: Retired EMU professor dies, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
A retired long-time member of the education department faculty at Eastern Mennonite University died Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
Esther K. Lehman, 85, professor emerita of education at EMU, was a resident of Oak Lea, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, for six years.
Dr. Lehman joined the EMU faculty in 1951 and retired in 1982. She was a reading and language arts specialist in the education department.
The Harrisonburg native was the daughter of the late Chester K. (C.K.) and Myra Kendig Lehman. Dr. Lehman became EMU’s first dean in 1921 and served in that role until 1956. He also taught Bible courses at EMU and Eastern Mennonite Seminary until his retirement in 1972.
Lehman took an assignment with Mennonite Central Committee, 1982-85, working at the Teacher Training College in Serowe, Botswana. She developed rofessional courses in methods of teaching reading at the lower levels and supervised field experiences for student teachers as part of her assignment. She earlier spent a sabbatical year, 1972-73, in Ethiopia, supervising EMU students who were combining student teaching with a study year abroad.
She graduated from EMU in 1949 and received MA degrees from George Peabody College, Nashville, Tenn., an MA in Christian education from Wheaton (Ill.) College and a doctorate in education from Syracuse University.
Lehman was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Society, Delta Kappa Gamma Society and the National Education Association. She served as secretary of the Virginia College Reading Association.
“(Aunt) Esther was deeply committed to cross-cultural learning throughout her life,” said Dorothy Jean Weaver, professor of New Testament at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. “Taking students to Africa in the early 1970s and later serving with MCC in Botswana became significant, life-transforming experiences for her.”
Lehman was a member of Mt. Clinton Mennonite Church.
A memorial service will be held Feb. 15 in Strite Auditorium at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. Private burial services will be held that morning at Weavers Mennonite cemetery.
Memorial gifts can be made to the “Esther K. Lehman Scholarship Fund” at Eastern Mennonite Seminary to support international students.
News: Sims nominated to be HUD deputy, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
President Barack Obama today announced he intends to nominate Ron Sims, County Executive of King County, Washington, to become the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As the Deputy Secretary, Sims will be charged with managing HUD’s day-to-day operations, a nearly $39 billion annual operating budget and the agency’s 8,500 employees.
Sims has earned numerous accolades and a national reputation for his environmental stewardship, aggressive reforms of government, and for willingness to make the tough choices necessary to ensure that American tax dollars are spent wisely.
“Ron’s track record as an innovative leader with an exciting vision for the future of our nation’s communities make him the perfect Deputy Secretary candidate as we tackle the nation’s housing crisis amidst the biggest economic downturn in decades,” said HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan. “His experience at the helm of a large urban government provides a critical perspective and his collaborative approach to problem-solving has prepared him to effectively lead HUD’s operations as the agency charts a new aggressive course.”
Elected to a third term, King County Executive Sims oversees the 13th most populous county in the nation, a metropolitan area with 1.8 million residents and 39 cities including the cities of Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond. King County accounts for 40 percent of the state’s jobs and is home to businesses and organizations such as Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon.com, Nordstrom’s, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The county government has a workforce of over 13,000 and an annual budget of $4.9 billion.
Sims is a graduate of Central Washington University. He is a Board Member for Reconnecting America Center for Transit Oriented Development, advisory board member of the Brookings Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, board member and former chair of Sound Transit, board member of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the National Committee of Quality Assurance and Rainier Scholars. He is Co-Chair of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County and founding chairman of the board of the Puget Sound Health Alliance.
“I am thrilled and honored that Ron has agreed to be considered for this role,” added Donovan. “He is the perfect person to help HUD return to national leadership on metropolitan planning. Together, we will work with President Obama to ensure HUD is doing all it can to help the nation’s communities recover from today’s economic realities and to better position them for the future.”
Sim’s nomination requires approval by the Senate.
News: Maynor named CAA player of the week, Monday, 6:05 p.m.
Virginia Commonwealth University senior Eric Maynor (Raeford, N.C.), who posted back-to-back 30-point efforts, was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s Player of the Week Monday.
It’s the fourth time this season and the second consecutive week that Maynor has picked up the honor.
A 6-3 guard, Maynor averaged 31.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in two games. Maynor scored 30 points during the Rams’ 68-63 loss to first-place Northeastern Jan. 27. He followed with a 33-point, nine-rebound effort in VCU’s win over Hofstra Jan. 31. Maynor poured in 21 of his 33 points in the second half of that contest as he led the Rams back from a 12-point deficit.
Maynor is averaging 23.2 points this season, which ranks 10th nationally. He is also handing out a CAA-best 5.9 assists and grabbing 3.8 rebounds per game.
VCU (16-6, 9-2 CAA) will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 4 when it takes on UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m. at Trask Coliseum in Wilmington, N.C.
News: Valley VDOT road work schedule, Monday, 1:37 p.m.
Here is an updated list of highway work projects that might affect traffic in the Staunton Transportation District during the coming weeks. Work scheduled is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. Also, when traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.
Augusta County
Interstate 64
No lane closures reported.
Interstate 81
* Mile marker 205 to 237, northbound and southbound – Debris removal. Monday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* (NEW) Various roads – Brush trimming, litter removal. Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Primary Roads
* Route 11, southbound (Lee Jackson Highway) – Sewer line installation from Route 694 to Route 701. Shoulder closure and lane shift, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* (NEW) Route 252 – Brush cutting from Route 701 to Route 262, Monday to Friday. Flagger traffic control.
* Route 340 – Shoulder repair with flagger traffic control.
* Route 340, Waynesboro – Construction from Route 250 to Delphine Avenue for railroad bridge replacement and roadway widening, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Estimated completion is November, 2011. Expect minor delays from Broad Street to Sixth Street for construction work.
* Various roads – Debris cleanup, brush trimming near signs, pothole repair.
Secondary Roads
* Route 680 – Shoulder work from Route 696 to Route 11, Monday to Friday. Traffic control.
* Route 690 – Shoulder work from Route 11 to Route 646, Tuesday to Friday. Traffic control.
* Route 701, westbound (Howardsville Road) – Sewer line work from Route 11 to Route 613. Shoulder closure. Work is 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Flagger traffic control.
* Route 701 – Shoulder repair from Route 252 to Route 11 with flagger traffic control.
* Route 736 – Brush cutting from Route 250 to Route 728, Monday to Friday. Flagger traffic control.
* Route 746 – Mowing from Route 745 to Route 804, Monday to Tuesday. Traffic control.
* Route 753 – Machining dirt roads, Monday to Friday. Traffic control.
* Various roads – Bridge maintenance, Monday to Friday.
* Various roads – Pothole repair, brush trimming, machining dirt roads.
Rockingham County
Interstate 81
* Mile marker 237 to 263, northbound and southbound – Litter and debris removal. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* Mile marker 237 to 263, northbound and southbound – Repair, replace signs. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* (NEW) Mile marker 237 to 263, northbound and southbound – Anti-icing, Thursday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Primary Roads
* Route 11, (North Valley Pike) – Utility pole replacement from Route 796 (Moores Mill Road) to Route 982 (Newdale School Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 33, westbound (Rawley Pike) – Utility pole replacement from Route 612 (Peake Mountain Road) to Route 840 (Maple Tree Lane). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 253 (Port Republic Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 704 (Osceola Springs Road) to Route 276 (Cross Keys Road). Westbound lane shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 257 (Mason Street, Dayton) – Entrance construction from Route 1204 (Ashby Street) to Route 1203 (Westview Street). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 276, eastbound (Cross Keys Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 33 (Spotswood Trail) to Route 253 (Port Republic Road). Shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Secondary Roads
* Route 612, (Peak Mountain Road) – Box culvert installation from Route 762 (Eden Valley Road) to Route 726 (War Branch Road). Road closed. Traffic controlled by flaggers, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 641 (Cave Hill Road) – Road work from Route 843 (Cemetery Road) to Route 991 (Jacob Burner Road). Intermittent lane closures. Flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 648 (Dave Berry Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 996 (McGaheysville Road) to Route 641 (White Rose Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 676 (Oak Shade Road) – Directional bore. Work is from Route 276 (Cross Keys Road) to Route 674 (Duck Run Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 679 (Pleasant Valley Road) – Sewer line installation from Route 689 (Spaders Church Road) to Route 898 (Pleasant Drive). Shoulder closures controlled by flaggers. Blasting may occur. Work is Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 689 (Shen Lake Drive) – Sewer line installation from Route 253 (Port Republic Road) to Route 1003 (Cumberland Drive). Westbound shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 689 (Shen Lake Drive) – Sewer line installation from Route 253 (Port Republic Road) to Route 1030 (Lucy Long Drive). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road) in conjunction with Route 679 work – Sewer line installation from Route 679 (Pleasant Valley Road) to Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road). Occasional blasting may occur. Shoulder closure. One lane traffic controlled by flaggers. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road) – Sewer line work from Route 679 (Pleasant Valley Road) to Route 705 (Cottontail Trail). Shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.* Route 709 (Autumn Lane) – Sewer line installation from Route 704 (Osceola Springs Road) to Route 710 (Greendale Road). Westbound shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 794 (Canery Island Road) – Overhead line installation from Route 11 (North Valley Pike) and Route 620 (Mount Valley Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 820 (Bergton Road) – Debris removal from Route 259 (Brocks Gap Road) and Route 826 (Criders Road). Single lane traffic, flagger traffic control. Work is Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.* Route 981 (Rockingham Pike) – Overhead crossing, directional bore from Route 979 (Solsburg Road) to Route 829 (Mount Herman Road). Right shoulder closure, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.* Route 1204 (Ashby Street) – Waterline installation from Route 1209 (Thompson Street) to Route 1201 (Turner Street). Shoulder closure. Occasional single lane traffic with flagger traffic control. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Route 1304 (Sunset Drive, Dayton) – Sewer line installation between Route 257 (Mason Street) and 1209 (Thompson Street). Road closed. Traffic controlled by flaggers, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rockbridge County
Interstate 64
* (NEW) Mile marker 0 to 57, eastbound and westbound – Sign repair. Shoulder closed, Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* Mile marker 41 to 57, eastbound and westbound – Debris removal. Monday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* (NEW) Various roads – Brush trimming, litter removal. Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Interstate 81
* Mile marker 174 to 205, northbound and southbound – Debris removal. Monday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* (NEW) Various roads – Brush trimming, litter removal. Tuesday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Primary Roads
* Route 130 – Bridge construction at Route 501 in Glasgow. Periodic single lane traffic with flagger traffic control, Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon. Completion is in September 13, 2010.
Secondary Roads
* Various roads – Brush cutting, shoulder repair. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., flagger traffic control.
* Various roads – Grading dirt roads, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Various roads – Litter removal.
News: Strong majority favors hike in cigarette tax, Monday, 11:50 a.m.
A new poll released today by a coalition of Virginia health leaders shows that 72 percent of Virginia voters support an 89 cent increase in the state tax on cigarettes. The coalition is calling on legislators to increase Virginia’s 30-cent per pack cigarette tax – still one of the lowest in the nation – to the national average of $1.19 a pack to reduce smoking among kids and generate revenue to help solve the budget crisis.
By more than a two-to-one margin (72 percent to 26 percent), Virginia voters favor an 89 cent per pack increase in the state’s cigarette tax to fund tobacco prevention and address health care needs. Support for the increase crosses party lines, garnering the support of 71 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Democrats, and 67 percent of independents. Support is also strong across Virginia, with a majority of voters in Norfolk (75 percent), Northern Virginia (75 percent), Richmond (70 percent) and Roanoke and the rest of the state (68 percent) favoring the 89-cent increase in the cigarette tax.
In addition, the poll found that there is virtually no difference in support between an 89-cent and a 30-cent increase which has been proposed by Governor Tim Kaine.
Support for both the 89-cent and 30-cent tax increases is broad-based, and cuts across party, regional and ideological lines. Danny McGoldrick, Vice President for Research at the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, n oted, “From a political standpoint, it’s clearly ‘in for a penny; in for a pound.’ This is because opposition to the cigarette tax is low and essentially identical at the two levels, while the revenue and other benefits dramatically increase with the higher tax.”
The survey of 500 registered likely Virginia voters was released today by the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In releasing the poll results, the health advocates declared a large increase in the cigarette tax a win-win-win for Virginia. An increase in the state’s cigarette tax is a win for public health because it will reduce smoking, particularly among kids; it’s a win for the state’s fiscal health because it will raise more than $250 million in new annual revenue for the state; and it’s a win for lawmakers who support it because of overwhelming voter support.
“The cigarette tax is a proven strategy to protect thousands of Virginia kids from tobacco addiction while, at the same time, helping the state address budget concerns and provide vital healthcare services,” said Keenan Caldwell, Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society. “The state legislature should listen to the people of Virginia and increase the cigarette tax to the national average. A smaller increase will not have a measurable health impact. While a 30-cent increase will generate some new revenue, it is an enormous missed opportunity in terms of health.”
The poll found that increasing the cigarette tax is the most palatable approach to addressing Virginia’s budget woes. A majority of voters (77 percent) say they favor increasing the cigarette tax to help balance the state’s budget. Fewer than four in 10 Virginia voters support the other tax increases or spending cuts that may be necessary to balance the budget, including increasing the sales tax or income tax, or reducing funding for public safety, education and Medicaid. “This poll shows that among the options that are on the table, increasing the cigarette tax is clearly the preferred solution to the state’s revenue crisis,” said Cathleen Smith Grzesiek, Director of Government Relations for the American Heart Association.
The poll also shows that Virginia voters will express their support for a cigarette tax increase at the voting booth. Overall, 62 percent of voters, including a majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents, are more likely to support a candidate who backs the tobacco tax proposal. Just 21 percent of voters are less likely to support a candidate who favors increasing the tobacco tax and 11 percent indicate that it would make no difference in their vote.
Tobacco-caused costs add more than $1.6 million per year to state tax bills – or more than $570 for each Virginia household. “By increasing the cigarette tax, Virginia will reduce smoking, save lives and help offset the health care costs caused by smoking,” said David DeBiasi, Director of Advocacy and Public Education for the American Lung Association in Virginia.
Virginia currently ranks 47th in the nation with a tax of 30 cents per pack, far below the national average of $1.19. Large bodies of economic research, numerous expert panels, experience in other states, and even reports from the tobacco industry have concluded decisively that price increases effectively reduce smoking, especially among youth. The U.S. Surgeon General, in his 2000 report, Reducing Tobacco Use, concluded that raising cigarette taxes is widely regarded as one of the most effective tobacco prevention strategies and that such increases would lead to “substantial long-run improvements in health.”
According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an 89-cent increase in Virginia’s cigarette tax would prevent more than 60,000 Virginia kids alive today from premature death, addiction and disease caused by tobacco use. The additional revenue from 89 cents per pack would provide the state with an immediate boost of more than $250 million in revenue in the first year alone.
For more information and complete poll results, please visit http://smokefreevanow.org/poll09/.
News: Groups urge General Assembly to block bill that would undo move toward verifiable voting, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
A coalition of civic organizations is urging the Virginia General Assembly to stop legislation that would undo the state’s move toward verifiable voting. House Bill 2422 and Senate Bill 988 would repeal a current law that forbids the future purchase of direct-recording electronic voting systems.
“Two years ago, the General Assembly passed a bill that would phase out unverifiable electronic voting,” said Alex Blakemore, a computer scientist and founder of Virginia Verified Voting. “All of our neighboring states are moving toward verifiable systems, and today we find Virginia talking about heading backwards. Passing these bills would be a huge mistake for election integrity, and embarrassing for the Commonwealth,” said Blakemore.
Most of Virginia’s neighboring states, including North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee, have passed laws to require a voter-verifiable paper record.
Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Greyson is urging his state’s counties to adopt paper ballot voting systems, and last year 34 Kentucky counties did just that.
Thirty-nine states have by law, regulation, or purchasing choice, adopted paper-based voting systems.
The organizations opposing SB 988 and HB 2422 include the League of Women Voters of Virginia, the Libertarian Party of Virginia, the New Electoral Reform Alliance for Virginia, Virginia Verified Voting, Common Cause, Southern Coalition for Secured Voting and the Virginia Organizing Project.
The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee is expected to vote on SB 988 Tuesday afternoon (February 3); the House Campaign Finance subcommittee is expected to vote on HB 2422 Wednesday afternoon (February 4), with a final vote expected on Friday morning (February 6) in the House Privileges and Elections committee.
The nationwide trend toward paper is essential to the integrity of the election process, said Blakemore.
“Without a voter-verifiable paper record, there is no possibility of a meaningful recount, because there is no record independent of the software in the voting machine,” he said.
Long lines are another issue that is alleviated by paper ballot systems.
“In Fairfax County, we had paper ballot systems in every polling place, and we did not have the long lines that were reported in areas with only electronic systems,” said Jeremy Epstein, a computer scientist who served as a poll worker in the 2008 election. “With paper ballot optical scan systems, only one scanning machine is needed in the polling place, and more voters can vote at the same time than in a polling place with only electronic machines.”
Scientists from government laboratories, the private sector, and universities have warned that when voting systems provide no voter-verified paper record, there is no way to be verify that error or tampering has not occurred.
“If these bills pass, most Virginia voters will cast ballots on systems that cannot prove their accuracy,” said Epstein.
News: Bridgewater sees increase in applications, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
Despite a national economy in turmoil, Bridgewater College is experiencing an increase in applications and deposits over last year, strong giving and no decrease in scholarships or financial aid.
Current applications stand at a 34 percent increase over applications at this time in 2008, according to Linda Stout, director of enrollment operations. Stout also indicated that the number of students who have paid their deposits, which holds their place in the class, has surpassed last year’s numbers as well.
Karen Wigginton, vice president of college relations, noted that the increase in applications and deposits indicate an ongoing need for and support of the educational mission of Bridgewater College.
Bev Butterfield, vice president for institutional advancement, noted that charitable giving remains solid. The College’s capital campaign to raise $40 million for endowed scholarships, academic enhancement, facilities improvements, laboratories, equipment and information technology, and the Bridgewater Fund, has reached 80 percent of its goal.
The Every Student, One Commitment Campaign for Bridgewater College was launched in the fall of 2004 and will extend through 2010. According to Butterfield, “two of the best three fundraising years the college has ever had have been during this campaign.” She said that progress is being made and noted that there have been several very generous estate gifts. In addition, cash receipts have more than doubled over this time last year.
“Despite the difficult economy, Bridgewater donors have continued giving, for which the College is extremely grateful,” said Butterfield. “In this time of increased financial need by students and their families, it is vital that the campaign goals are accomplished.”
Wigginton added that tough economic times have had no effect on the number of scholarships or amount of financial aid at BC. In some cases, she noted, the money available for some scholarships has actually risen.
News: Seminar on charitable gifts at EMU, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
Eastern Mennonite University is offering a charitable gifts seminar with noted estate planning strategist Jeremiah W. (Jere) Doyle Thursday, Feb. 5.
The seminar will take place 10 a.m.-l p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 in the Strite conference room of the Campus Center.
Doyle, senior vice president with Bank of New York Mellon’s Private Wealth Management Group, Boston, Mass., will discuss why, how and when to leave retirement plan assets to charity, how to structure the gift and how federal tax laws affect the gift. Participants will receive a volume of materials illustrating the right and wrong ways to handle these assets.
Doyle, a practicing attorney, received a juris doctor degree from Hamline University Law School and advanced degrees in taxation and banking law from Boston University Law School. He has been quoted in numerous business publications and has appeared on CNBC, MSNBC and CNN.
Cost of the seminar is $45/person; lunch is included.
To register, contact Art Borden, associate director of development, 540.746.5127 or Phil Helmuth, executive director of development, 540.432-.4227.
News: Progress Augusta meeting Tuesday night, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
The Progress Augusta chapter of Drinking Liberally will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Irish Alley Restaurant and Pub in Downtown Staunton.
The public is invited to the informal discussion group.
News: DCCU seminar on weathering the economic climate, Monday, 10:30 a.m.
When you’re not feeling well, you call the doctor. When your car’s “Service Engine” light is on, you call the mechanic. But who do you call on when your financial situation needs help?
At DuPont Community Credit Union, we’re here to help you weather the current economic climate with our free workshop, Practical Solutions for Today’s Economy – brought to you by DCCU and Member Investment Services. At this workshop, you’ll learn how to -
• Manage loans properly when money is tight
• Budget and manage credit while in between jobs or facing layoffs
• Manage 401k investments while employment is in transition
• Evaluate health insurance (COBRA vs. Private options)
• Avoid fraud and identity theft
The seminar will be held Tuesday at 8 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. at Best Western in Waynesboro.
Go to www.mydccu.com for more information.
