Richmond – Delegate David Englin (D-45) today released the following statement in response to Governor Bob McDonnell’s briefing to legislators about his proposed biennial budget:
Governor McDonnell has proposed some worthwhile new spending in a number of areas, such as higher education and shoring up the state employee pension fund. Unfortunately, he pays for it with cuts to preschool for four-year-olds and cuts to public education in Northern Virginia. Governor McDonnell says he is prioritizing spending that will drive economic growth, but he proposes cutting $81.6 million from pre-kindergarden, despite all of the evidence that high-quality pre-k actually saves taxpayers money and is among the best long-term investments in economic growth. He says he is drawing a hard line against tax increases, but then he proposes cutting $65 million from money Northern Virginia needs to be competitive in hiring school staff, that is a $65 million real estate tax increase on our community.
While there are still many details that require review, the budget proposal unveiled today appears to be a continuation of an unbalanced, cuts-only approach that favors powerful corporate interests over regular people. I look forward to working with my General Assembly colleagues to do better than what has been proposed today.
Richmond – The Commonwealth of Virginia today announced the launch of the Virginia Advance Health Care Directive Registry, which provides citizens a free, secure tool to store important documents that protect their legal rights and ensure their medical wishes are honored if they are unable to manage their own care. This online tool allows citizens to download a simple, standard form that makes it easy to complete their own Advance Health Care Directives.
“An Advance Health Care Directive is an important legal document that lets your family members and doctors know your wishes for your care,” said Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria), whose 2008 legislation established the system launched today. “This new system will make it easy for citizens to complete their own Advance Health Care Directives and ensure that doctors and loved ones have access to these important documents in an emergency.”
Englin noted that today’s launch is the result of a multi-year bipartisan effort that began during the Kaine Administration and was carried through by the McDonnell Administration. In 2008, then-Attorney General Bob McDonnell supported Englin’s legislation, helping ensure its passage, along with a companion bill from Senator George Barker (D-Fairfax).
Alexandria – Delegate David Englin (D-45) today released the following statement in response to legislation introduced by Delegate Robert G. Marshall (R-13) that would block state funding for Phase II of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project if, among other things, the project is subject to a Project Labor Agreement:
At yesterday’s Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Roundtable, several Northern Virginia business leaders expressed their concern that Delegate Marshall’s bill will undermine regional progress toward delivering rail transit along the Dulles corridor. When business, labor, and government stakeholders have agreed on a voluntary Project Labor Agreement to govern Phase II of the project, why would Delegate Marshall want to use that as a reason to deny state funds? While the McDonnell Administration’s offer of $150 million is a mere drop in the bucket on this $2.7 billion project, it is money Northern Virginia still badly needs. Delegate Marshall’s legislation is nothing but a labor-baiting political move that stands to harm taxpayers, businesses, commuters, and workers alike.
Continue reading ‘Englin slams labor-baiting attempt to block funding for Metrorail to Dulles’
On Dec. 7, come and join us for a casual holiday party to celebrate the season and to meet Terry McAuliffe, former — and possibly future — Democratic candidate for Governor.
Suggested contribution of $25 gladly accepted (we have to pay for the festivities!) but please join us regardless. Here are the details: http://www.davidenglin.org/holidayparty
Wine for the party is being generously provided by Grape and Bean and Planet Wine.
Please RSVP online, email holiday@davidenglin.org, or call 703-549-3203, to let us know you’ll be there.
