Please join us Saturday, August 2, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Beach Park (the hilly park just behind Maury Elementary School — click here for map) for “Alexandria Mamas for Obama” — a potluck brunch with activities to support Barack Obama. We’ll be making signs for the new Obama office, sending postcards to newly registered voters, and enjoying a beautiful summer morning with our kids at the park. (Potluck contributions are welcome!)

Host Committee: Mimi Carter, Shayna Englin, Maria Getoff, Julie Segal, Kelly Smith

While the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project is now more than 80 percent complete, major construction of the Telegraph Road Interchange began earlier this year and is scheduled to continue into 2013. To help keep drivers moving efficiently and safely during this final phase of construction, VDOT has debuted an advanced traffic management system called Variable Speed Limit (VSL).

VDOT traffic operators will adjust the posted speed limit along the seven-mile stretch of the Beltway between the Springfield Interchange and Maryland during off-peak congestion. Reducing the speed limit will create an even flow of traffic, reducing overall congestion and abrupt stops by drivers, resulting in fewer rear-end accidents and a safer construction environment. Drivers will be informed of speed limits through changeable highway signs.

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Thank you to more than 40 volunteers who turned out last night for Team Englin’s monthly Volunteer Night, where we joined forces with the Obama campaign for an amazing evening of grassroots action.  The imminent storm held out long enough for a successful evening of door-to-door canvassing in addition to outreach to thousands of voters through volunteer mailings and phone calls.

“There’s nothing more energizing and inspiring than coming back from knocking on doors to see our home full of people of all ages and backgrounds working together for a better future,” said David.  “I’m excited that the Obama campaign has decided to partner with Team Englin so together we can produce the grassroots results that will deliver Virginia and put Barack Obama in the White House.”

Click here to join our team, and mark your calendar for our next Team Englin + Barack Obama Volunteer Night on Thursday, August 21.

Alexandria – Delegate David Englin would like to remind the public that Virginia’s annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday will occur Aug. 1 to Aug. 3.  During the sales tax holiday period, consumers may purchase certain school supplies, clothing, and footwear exempt of the 5% Retail Sales and Use Tax. 

Due to a communications error, Delegate Englin’s 2008 Legislative Session update newsletter incorrectly stated that: “Computer-related items priced at $1,500 or less are now included among the items for which no sales tax will be charged.”  School computer supplies may not be purchased free of tax.  The exemption applies to school supplies with a selling price of $20 or less each, as well as each article of clothing or footwear with a selling price of $100 or less each. 

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The Obama Campaign is partnering with Team Englin to do some door-to-door canvassing for Obama as part of next week’s Volunteer Night. If you’ve never gone door-to-door before, don’t worry — we’ll teach you everything you need to know.

If you’re not up for knocking on doors, we also have several mailings to get out so we can continue building the grassroots and growing the circle of support to deliver Virginia for Barack Obama and Mark Warner this November.

Here are the details: 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, 1505 Wayne St, Alexandria, VA. (Click here for directions — we’re just a short walk from the Braddock Rd Metro.) We provide the pizza, drinks, and camaraderie — you bring your commitment to progress!

Let us know you’re coming at gro.nilgnedivadnull@ofni or 703-549-3203.

Richmond – Today the Republican Majority of the House of Delegates killed the first comprehensive transportation funding solution to reach a floor vote in years. Yesterday, House Democrats announced an amendment that would have maintained the Senate plan for statewide funding solutions and to cut the food tax, while not raising the gas tax. Senate Democrats endorsed the approach. House Republicans voted against over $5.5 billion plan for roads, mass transit, and maintenance over the next 7 years, even after Democrats announced provisions that lowered taxes on food and did not raise the gas tax.

“This was a consensus bill that would have delivered significant transportation funds while simultaneously cutting the food tax to help families struggling to make ends meet,” said Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria). “It’s very disappointing that House Republicans decided to derail these infrastructure investments, which would have improved the quality of life and business for so many Virginians.”

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In Virginia, new legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor generally goes into effect on July 1. For your convenience, the staff of the Division of Legislative Services has produced a publication that provides a brief summary of legislation passed by the 2008 General Assembly that is of interest to the citizens of Virginia and is likely to have an impact on their daily lives. Please click here to download your copy.

Here are the bills David successfully passed during the 2008 General Assembly session that become law today:

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