ALEXANDRIA — Delegate David Englin (D-45) today announced that he has been appointed to two bipartisan joint subcommittees as a result of legislation the General Assembly passed during the 2006 regular session, which ended March 11.

Speaker William J. Howell (R-28) appointed Englin to following two joint subcommittees:

• The Joint Subcommittee to study science, math, and technology education in the Commonwealth at elementary, secondary, and undergraduate levels.
• The Joint Subcommittee to study ways in which telework opportunities for state and private sector employees can be enhanced and increased.

“Northern Virginia already boasts among the most vibrant high-tech economies in the world, but in today’s global marketplace, giving our children the strongest possible education and training in math, science, and technology is a critical investment in their future success,” said Englin, who holds a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and whose son attends Alexandria’s public magnet school for math, science, and technology. “I look forward to working with other members of this joint subcommittee to strengthen and improve math, science, and technology education throughout Virginia.”

“Telework has the potential to improve quality of life for many of my constituents and for a great many employees throughout Virginia,” said Englin. “By reducing the number of commuters, telework can ease traffic and transit congestion even for people with traditional work schedules. I’m excited to work with other members of this joint subcommittee to develop and promote fresh, creative ideas to promote telework and improve quality of life for Virginia’s employees and their families.”

Englin also announced that Howell appointed him to the Virginia Geographic Information Network Advisory Board.

“I’ve already discussed with the Secretary of Technology and the Department of Social Services some of my ideas for using geographic information systems tools to more efficiently and effectively target resources to reduce hunger and poverty in Virginia,” said Englin. “I look forward to engaging Virginia’s geographic information systems experts on these and other issues so we can make government work better for people.”

“I have expressed to the Speaker my sincere appreciation for these additional opportunities to serve the people of the 45th District and all Virginians,” said Englin.

Englin is currently serving his first term in the Virginia General Assembly, representing the 45th District in the House of Delegates. The district includes parts of the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and Arlington County.

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This Memorial Day let us pause to honor and remember the people who have given their lives in service to our country. For me, Memorial Day evokes very personal memories of friends and loved ones killed and wounded in the line of duty. As you reflect on what Memorial Day means to you and your family, I commend to you the following two articles, one by a former Air Force colleague of mine, and another by two co-authors, one the father of a Marine and another the wife of a Marine:

“Grateful for Our Liberties”
By Sarah Elizabeth Kreps
Washington Post, May 29, 2006

“Those Who Serve”
By Kathy Roth-Douquet and Frank Schaeffer
Blueprint Magazine, May 17, 2006

To all members of our Armed Forces, past and present, thank you for your service.

Please join David on Saturday, June 3, at 8 a.m. at George Washington Middle School for the first annual Kelley Cares 5K Run/Walk to honor the spirit and memory of Kelley Swanson, who fell tragically ill and died shortly after graduating from T.C. Williams High School last summer. A captain of the T.C. Williams girls soccer team, Kelley’s other passion was mentoring children with disabilities and giving them the opportunity to participate in sports. Therefore, all proceeds from the event will go to the Therapeutic Recreation Section of Alexandria to assist residents with special needs.

“I first met Kelley and her family when I was out campaigning last spring,” said David. “Her death is a tragic loss for Alexandria, but the Kelley Cares Foundation will carry on the good Kelley did for our community during her life.”

To learn more and to register, go to www.kelleycares.org.

Congratulations to Sally Baird, who today won the Democratic endorsement for Arlington School Board. When Sally wins the general election in November, she will become the first openly-lesbian elected official in Virginia. Sally is a longtime Arlington activist, and she and her partner, Karen, have two young sons.

“I’m proud to support Sally Baird for Arlington School Board,” said David. “Her energy and vision and her focus on early childhood education make her the right choice for Arlington this November.”

The current edition of the Alexandria Gazette Packet includes this article about David’s ongoing fight to reduce the cost of prescription medications for all Virginians. Here’s an excerpt:

While he was campaigning for a seat in the House of Delegates last year, Del. David Englin (D-45) focused his health-care efforts on a little-known program that allows consumers to purchase reimported drugs from Canada. Called “I-SaveRx,” the program was created in Illinois to allow American consumers to take advantage of Canada’s low-priced pharmaceuticals. In candidate forums and in one-on-one meetings with voters, candidate Englin talked about how I-SaveRx could help low-income seniors afford expensive prescription medication.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” Englin said at one candidate forum last year.

When he arrived in Richmond as a freshman legislator, Englin made a point of putting I-SaveRx at the top of his agenda. It was the first bill he filed in the House of Delegates, a symbolically important position as a number-one priority.

Click here for the full article. For more information about I-SaveRx, go to www.I-SaveRx.net.

Over the past few days, David has bounced all across the 45th District — as well as to Richmond and back — meeting with constituents, being briefed on key projects, and fighting for the interests of our community.

On Monday, David joined Senator Patsy Ticer and Delegate Adam Ebbin at the Del Citizens Association’s monthly meeting to update David’s Del Ray neighbors on the continuing budget impasse and on the progress the Alexandria delegation made during the regular General Assembly session.

On Tuesday, David joined Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Vice Mayor Del Pepper, and Senator Ticer for a briefing about the progress of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge project from Virginia Department of Transportation officials and the team managing the project. Following the briefing, David toured the bridge construction by boat to better understand the project firsthand.

“I was very satisfied to learn that the project is one time and on budget,” said David. “There will be some severe traffic delays during a couple of key weekends this summer as they begin routing traffic across the new bridge, so it’s important that we work together to keep the community informed and to minimize the disruption to people’s lives.”

(For more information about the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project, go to www.wilsonbridge.com.)

Tuesday evening, David met with members of the Fairlington Citizens Association, where he briefed them on the General Assembly session and fielded a number of questions ranging from cable T.V. competition and the Washington Nationals to traffic and pedestrian safety concerns.

“I always enjoy meeting with constituents who are full of questions and ideas,” said David. “Some of the best ideas for legislation come from active, engaged citizens like my friends in Fairlington, and I look forward to developing some of these ideas as we move forward.”

On Wednesday, the House of Delegates convened to consider a compromise version of the “caboose budget” — the adjusted 2004 to 2006 budget that governs state spending through July 1.

“We passed the caboose budget unanimously, but this is a mere modicum of progress, since it only covers us for another few weeks,” said David. “If the Republicans in control of the House and the Republicans in control of the Senate continue to fight with each other about the 2006 to 2008 biennial budget, we could very well risk government shutdown come July 1st.”

After Wednesday’s vote, the House of Delegates again recessed until further notice, with a possible working session next week.

David returned to Alexandria early Wednesday evening in time to help coach one of Caleb’s baseball games, and from there went to a meeting of the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association.

David briefed association members on his work in Richmond and on the situation with the budget, and he and Mayor Euille fielded questions about a range of issues.

During the meeting, community activist Mary Harris praised David for his work against the coal-fired Mirant Plant that is poising Alexandria’s air, and writer and activist Andrea Stowers publicly thanked David for his work on a General Assembly resolution memorializing former Old Town resident Melvin Lindsey, who was killed in action during his Cold War military service.

On Thursday, David attended the 20th Annual Harry Burke Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Special Education, hosted by Alexandria’s Special Education Advisory Committee to honor the best special education teachers in the city.

“Being among these uniquely talented and committed special education teachers really brings back memories,” said David, whose mother was a special education teacher. “Congratultations to all of the winners and nominees. You hard work and devotion to our children make this a stronger community for all Alexandrians.”

Following the Burke Awards, David stopped by a reception to honor Senator Patsy Ticer, and then moved on to a community meeting hosted by the Sierra Club to discuss putting Metrorail on the new Wilson Bridge.

“We need a regional commitment to adding the Purple Line to the Metrorail system,” said David, referring to the proposed line that would encircle the current system. “Expanding Metro will be critical to meeting our region’s long-term growth and infrastructure needs in a way that reduces congestion, promotes land conservation, and improves quality of life. Putting the Purple Line across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge will be a critical part of that.”

As David reminded constituents throughout the week, he is here to serve you, so always feel free to get in touch.

Congratulations to Mayor Bill Euille and all six of our Democratic candidates for Alexandria City Council, who swept yesterday’s citywide election. Congratulations also to the successful candidates who won a lively nonpartisan election to fill all nine seats on Alexandria’s School Board.

“A special thank you and congratulations to the scores of committed volunteers who made it happen,” said David, who opened his home precinct at 6 a.m. yesterday and worked side-by-side with volunteers until the polls closed at 7 p.m.

“I said all along that our Democratic ticket for mayor and City Council represents the right combination of ideas, energy, and continue to make our community strong and to lead Alexandria into the future,” said David. “Judging from the results, Alexandria voters agree. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Mayor Euille and the entire City Council to serve all Alexandrians. I also look forward to working with our new School Board to make Alexandria’s public schools the very best in Virginia.”

Click here for the complete election results.

With real estate taxes dominating the debate during this year’s Alexandria City Council election, the Alexandria Gazette Packet published the following op-ed from David urging voters to reject the City Council candidates who claim they will reduce real estate taxes (i.e.: all of the Republican candidates), since Virginia law does not give them that power. David goes on to explain three constitional amendments he will propose next year to empower local governments to rein in real estate taxes.

“Blame Richmond, Not City Hall”
by David Englin, State Delegate, 45th District
Alexandria Gazette Packet
April 27, 2006

Like many of my constituents, I am an Alexandria homeowner, and it frustrates me to no end that, even when City Council makes tough decisions, cuts spending, and lowers the real estate tax rate, the actual amount I pay in real estate taxes still rises by double digits every year. People tell us we should be happy about our homes increasing in value, but that only matters if you want to cash out that value by selling your home and moving away. From teachers and firefighters, to young professionals and blue collar workers, to young families and senior citizens, this is driving from our community Alexandrians whose incomes do not rise by double digits each year like their real estate taxes. Sadly, under current state law, there is not much City Council can do about it, short of gutting spending to where nobody would want to live in Alexandria in the first place.

As a “Dillon Rule” state, Virginia’s local governments have only the power explicitly granted them by the General Assembly. This is as true for tax policy as it is for cutting grass. (During this year’s regular legislative session, we spent an absurd amount of time on bills authorizing localities to cut grass!) Richmond very strictly limits the revenue options available to local governments, forcing City Council to depend primarily on real estate taxes. Even worse, the Virginia Constitution imposes a rigid set of rules around real estate taxes, forcing City Council to tax 100 percent of the assessed value of your home, and prohibiting City Council from taxing homes at a lower rate than commercial property.

So what’s the answer? By long-standing tradition, the General Assembly addresses its first vote on constitutional amendments – which must pass in two legislative sessions separated by an election – during the second year of the two-year legislative cycle.

Therefore, next year I will submit at least three proposed amendments designed to reform our real estate tax system for the future. The first would amend the Virginia Constitution to allow City Council to exempt up to 20 percent of the value of an owner-occupied home from taxation. Where the overall real estate tax burden in Alexandria once divided evenly between homeowners and commercial property owners, the market has shifted that balance over the years so that a disproportionate tax burden falls on homeowners. Therefore, my second proposed amendment would give City Council the flexibility to adapt to market forces by allowing it to tax homes and commercial property at different rates.

The third constitutional amendment I am developing for next year’s session is bold, but it would be a significant step forward over our current system, which is based on old time, agrarian notions of property and wealth. This amendment would give localities a choice: Stick with the current real estate tax system (modified by the previous two amendments), or combine a cap on real estate tax growth with a progressive local income tax. When we force localities to depend on real estate taxes for revenue, we force them to depend on a tax that has nothing to do with your ability to pay it. Income tax inherently accounts for your ability to pay, and can — and should — be structured to be progressive, easing the burden on Alexandrians struggling to afford life in our vibrant but expensive city.

If eventually we are successful and amend the Virginia Constitution to give future City Councils the power to do something about real estate taxes, then by all means hold those future City Councils accountable. But when you go to the ballot box this Tuesday, if you are angry about your real estate taxes, I hope you will reject the candidates who are blaming the City Council for a problem that can only be fixed in Richmond.