Warner, Webb urge Obama administration to select Mid-Atlantic region as test range for unmanned aircraft systems
U.S. Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) on Wednesday sent a joint letter to the Secretaries of Defense, Transportation and the NASA Administrator urging them to select the Virginia/Maryland region to host an Unmanned Aircraft Systems test range.
The Senators pointed out that UAS design and testing already takes place in the area, and the region has the appropriate airspace and test ranges for the type of advanced testing and development that will be required. Read more
Warner proposals on transit safety, development incorporated into Senate bill
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle in passing legislation out of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs to make improvements to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s public transportation programs.
The legislation included new safety standards championed by Sen. Warner in the wake of a fatal 2009 Metro accident, and incorporates Senator Warner’s legislation authorizing grants for localities to promote transit-oriented development.
The bill passed on Thursday includes critical provisions aimed at establishing minimum performance standards for public transportation systems, strengthening enforcement powers and providing states with resources for training and oversight. It draws on legislation that Senator Warner introduced earlier this Congress with Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). Read more
McDonnell, Warner meet in Richmond
Gov. Bob McDonnell and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner share a laugh during an impromptu morning meeting in the governor’s office in Richmond on Thursday.
The meeting took place following their joint appearance at a press conference announcing “My Digital Life,” a digital literacy and responsibility program for Virginia Public Schools.
Poll: Virginians divided over State Senate split
A new Public Policy Polling survey reveals that Virginia voters think that Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling would be acting in accord with the state Constitution if he were to break a tie in favor of giving Republicans control olf the State Senate, but that at the same time the GOP should share power with Democrats in accord with the results of the November General Assembly elections.
Fifty-five percent of Virginia voters think there should be some sort of power-sharing arrangement, according to a PPP poll released Friday, while only 31 percent of voters think Republicans should have full control of the senior chamber. The key voting bloc there is independents, who side with Democrats in backing power-sharing by a 53 percent-to-28 percent margin.
The split in favor of Bolling’s power to vote to break ties is much closer – with 37 percent saying they feel he has the power to side with Republicans in the Senate organization and 34 percent saying they don’t think he has that power. Read more
Webb, Warner push Senate to reject efforts to balance budget on backs of federal workers
U.S. Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) are urging Majority Leader Harry Reid to “reject any proposals that call for pay freezes or other forms of compensation reduction for federal workers, or significant reductions in the federal workforce” to offset the tax extenders that need to be passed by the end of this year.
Along with Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Carl Levin (D-MI), the senators wrote to the Majority Leader on behalf of federal workers in Virginia who are currently in the middle of a two-year pay freeze.
“To ask these hard-working individuals – the very people who keep our food supply safe, our borders secure and develop life-saving technologies – to make further sacrifices is simply unfair,” the senators wrote. “Federal employees are facing the same challenges as other middle-class families during this difficult economic time. … While we can all agree on the importance of job growth and deficit reduction, we cannot balance the budget on the backs of federal employees who carry out the business of the American people every day.” Read more
Warner introduces bills pushing tech start-ups
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would update regulatory and tax policies to encourage entrepreneurs and innovators to launch new companies, creating jobs and broadening economic opportunities. Today’s initiative builds upon bipartisan legislation Senator Warner introduced last week that is designed to make it easier for growing companies to access investment capital.
The Start-Up Act, introduced today with U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), speeds-up the transfer of research and technology from university laboratories to the marketplace; modernizes tax policies to encourage longer-term investments of early-stage capital; reforms visa requirements for foreign-born students earning advanced degrees from U.S. colleges and starting companies based on science, technology, engineering and math; and examines federal policies to identify those regulations which discourage start-up businesses.
“Encouraging early-stage investment in fast-growing, entrepreneurial start-up businesses is one of the best ways to create new jobs,” Senator Warner said. “This legislation includes new tools that will renew the focus on tech start-ups and help unleash the next wave of American entrepreneurs.” Read more
Webb, Warner announce $200M for economic development
Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology will invest $212,800 in GENEDGE ALLIANCE, a statewide manufacturing support program based at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Virginia. Both Senators have consistently supported federal funding in Congress for the program, which supports industrial and manufacturing jobs by helping private businesses across the Commonwealth compete and succeed.
“I have been a big supporter of this concept, where high-quality advisors help small and mid-sized companies compete nationally,” said Sen. Webb. “The GENEDGE ALLIANCE manufacturing program is a strong example of a public-private partnership that will strengthen Virginia communities and invigorate local economies.”
“The GENEDGE ALLIANCE is a good example of a smart federal grant program that consistently produces a measurable return on investment,” Sen. Warner said. “GENEDGE consultants have helped employers across the Commonwealth upgrade processes and increase their growth opportunities. This grant represents a targeted investment that will strengthen Virginia’s economy and workforce.”
Since 1992, Virginia’s GENEDGE ALLIANCE has provided comprehensive services that produce quantifiable results for the companies they serve. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) works in conjunction with companies to provide high quality analysis that helps companies increase productivity, lower costs, identify growth opportunities, improve technology application, and strengthen production. For every $1 invested in GENEDGE ALLIANCE assistance and service, $36 has been returned to the client’s bottom line, and descriptions of many GENEDGE ALLIANCE success stories from across Virginia can be found here.
GENEDGE ALLIANCE is a network affiliate of NIST-MEP, a national network of more than 59 affiliate centers, bringing enterprise expertise to over 149,000 businesses across the United States. GENEDGE ALLIANCE field offices are located throughout Virginia and their partnerships with the Old Dominion University Business Gateway (ODUBG) at Old Dominion University and the Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC) in Wytheville support companies across the Commonwealth.
Mark Warner: It’s time to really fix housing
Recently, I attended a community meeting hosted by faith leaders in Northern Virginia’s Prince William County that brought together more than 1,000 anxious homeowners and several leading mortgage lenders.
Many other communities across Virginia also have experienced significant challenges as a result of the housing crisis. But Prince William County has led Virginia in foreclosures – 16,000, by some estimates — and some individual neighborhoods have seen home values fall by nearly 50%.
When the housing market began its downward spiral three years ago, Washington responded by stabilizing the financial sector but we did not take significant action on housing even though at least $50 billion in TARP funds was designated for that purpose.
Many people thought that the problems with housing would simply work their way through the system over time, but that still has not happened.
Across the political and economic spectrum, there now is a growing recognition that we must do more to fix housing if we hope to see a genuine recovery in the broader economy.
I believe we must take more aggressive steps to assist millions of homeowners trapped in mortgages worth more than their homes. At the same time, we must act to reduce and better manage the stock of vacant houses in places such as Prince William County., Virginia.
The White House recently announced the expansion of the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to help more borrowers refinance into today’s lower 4% interest rate mortgages.
This is an important improvement and by some estimates, the expanded program will reach between 1 and 2 million additional households, potentially saving each of those homeowners hundreds of dollars each month.
But this does not go nearly far enough. Given the number of underwater mortgages and estimates of foreclosures yet to occur, we should set a more ambitious goal of helping at least 10 million homeowners stabilize their living situations and reduce their monthly housing expenses.
First, we should first look for ways to expand the scope of the recent HARP changes by waiving fees and requiring more aggressive outreach to homeowners who might be eligible. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac own some 30 million mortgages, and far more than just 2 million currently are underwater. If taxpayers already are on the hook for these Fannie and Freddie mortgages, taxpayers also would reap the benefit of every foreclosure we manage to prevent.
Second, we must find a way to better manage the homes that are already owned by the banks, Fannie and Freddie, as well as those homes that they will come to own through foreclosure over the coming months.
Rather than turning people out of their homes, why can’t we find a way to turn imminent foreclosures into long-term rentals? This could reduce the homeowner’s current monthly obligation and provide some community stability. It also would help shore-up housing prices by reducing the number of homes being placed on the market at fire-sale prices.
Finally, I have heard heart-wrenching accounts from homeowners about predatory lending practices. There have been instances of record-keeping errors by some lenders that resulted in families losing their homes. Other families were forced into homelessness during the robo-signing scandal.
It is important that we see a settlement soon in the long-running U.S. Justice Department investigation into mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices. This could provide some near-term relief to those families that were wronged, protect those who are still in their homes, and provide more certainty to investors who are waiting to re-enter the market.
These ideas raise some complicated logistical and political challenges, but I would argue it is worth our time, effort and trouble to sort through them. Because three years into the crisis, it is now clear that time alone has not healed the housing market – and families waiting for economic recovery deserve more than half-measures which simply nibble around the edges of the problem.
Mark Warner, a cofounder of Nextel and former Virginia governor, serves on the U.S. Senate’s Banking, Budget, Commerce and Intelligence committees. He can be contacted at warner.senate.gov
Webb, Warner critical of administration on offshore-drilling plan
A five-year oil and gas leasing plan announced today by the Obama administration omits Virginia from the plan. Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner responded by urging the administration to reconsider.
“Oil and gas exploration within the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf – if coupled with an equitable formula for sharing revenues between the state and federal governments – would boost domestic energy production, while benefiting the Commonwealth’s economy,” Webb said.
“I will be strongly urging the administration to take another look at including Virginia in its five-year plan. Sen. Webb and I will continue to pursue our legislation that updates the current map of the Outer Continental Shelf to better reflect Virginia’s share of offshore energy resources. Importantly, our legislation also would allow for revenue sharing between the state and federal governments,” Warner said.
In July, Webb and Warner introduced the Virginia Outer Continental Shelf Energy Production Act of 2011, which included revenue-sharing provisions and would expand the federal government’s map of the mid-Atlantic exploration area to more accurately reflect the extent of Virginia’s coastal resources. In 2008, Webb cosponsored similar legislation with Republican Sen. John Warner.
FEMA approves funding for Louisa following quake
The Federal Emergency Management Administration has approved federal disaster assistance for individuals and business owners in Louisa County who experienced damage as a result of a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23 and caused more than 40 aftershocks. Gov. Bob McDonnell had appealed FEMA’s initial decision to deny federal disaster aid to Louisa County. The appeal included a letter from Virginia’s entire congressional delegation supporting the request.
“I thank FEMA and President Obama for their decision to grant federal disaster assistance for the people of Louisa County. I also want to thank Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Jim Webb, Congressman Eric Cantor and Virginia’s entire congressional delegation for their strong support of our appeal,” McDonnell said.
Since the original request was made Sept. 20, officials have found more extensive damage than what was originally reported in more than 1,400 homes. Some damage that was first categorized as minor has become worse as a result of more than 40 aftershocks.
“Many of our fellow Virginians who call Louisa home are hurting, and this is critically needed aid during a very trying time. The once-in-one hundred year earthquake that struck Virginia in August caused significant damage that was not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Many homes and businesses have been extensively damaged. This assistance is a key resource for families and business owners who have been trying to recover for more than two months,” McDonnell said.
McDonnell requested Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Individual Assistance program provides disaster housing assistance, low interest loans and grants. The Hazard Mitigation program provides funds for projects sponsored by state and local governments that help reduce disaster risks by protecting homes and businesses against future damage.
“This is very welcome news for homeowners and business people in Louisa,” Warner said in a statement. “Approval of this federal assistance will provide access to low-interest loans and other aid that can help individuals rebuild and recover from the damage caused by a rare, once-in-a-generation 5.8-magnitude earthquake. Officials in Louisa and Richmond, Gov. McDonnell, and Virginia’s entire U.S. House and Senate delegation worked together to help get this done, and Virginia’s persistent and unified approach produced results. This really is the best news I’ve heard in some time.”
Warner staff office hours in Staunton on Tuesday
Any Virginia residents that need assistance with a federal agency such as the IRS, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Social Security Administration, or would just like to pass along a concern to Sen. Mark Warner, please feel free to come and speak with a representative from Sen. Warner’s office on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 10:30 am to noon at the Staunton City Hall Caucus Room, 116 W. Beverley St.
Constituents can always contact any one of the senator’s offices directly. The Roanoke office can be reached at 540-857-2676.
FEMA denies earthquake aid
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Virginia’s request for individual assistance to help property owners affected by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23. Damage assessments for residential properties are nearly $15 million, mostly in uninsured costs.
“We are very disappointed in FEMA’s decision, and we will immediately appeal,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said today. “Disaster relief and public safety are core functions of the federal government. Unfortunately, volunteer groups are ill-equipped to repair earthquake damage and while state and local officials are doing everything they can, federal assistance is necessary in ensuring that affected Virginians are able to get their homes back in working order and get back on their feet again.”
The Individual Assistance Program would have made funding available to homeowners, renters and businesses in the form of low-interest loans and grants, unemployment assistance, disaster housing assistance and crisis counseling.
Since Aug. 23, local and state emergency officials, the Virginia departments of Fire Programs, Transportation, State Police and other response agencies have worked tirelessly to help residents and governments respond to and recover from the earthquake. Virginia representatives have worked alongside representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to document, report and assess damage in order to make this request for federal disaster assistance for individuals.
“If damage from a once-in-a-generation, 5.8 magnitude earthquake does not qualify for federal disaster relief, then I don’t know what does,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who “fully support(s)” McDonnell’s decision to appeal the FEMA move.
“Members of our staff have been working closely with federal, state and local officials to assess the damage and submit the required documentation, and we will continue to try to be helpful as the Louisa community works to rebound from this event. We also now will work closely with local officials to make sure residents are aware that additional resources, including low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and businesses, may be available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration,” Warner said.
