Yesterday, President Obama signed historic legislation making it a crime to attack people based on sexual orientation or disability, and America stands closer than ever to real action on health care reform and climate change.  Elections have consequences and all of our hard work last year truly made a difference.  We need your help again these next few days — the future of Virginia is at stake.  There are lots of opportunities to help.  Will you please join our grassroots effort and do your part?

Here is our full schedule of volunteer opportunities between now and when the polls close on Tuesday:

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Alexandria - Virginia’s two U.S. Senators announced today that they endorse Del. David Englin (D-45) for re-election Tuesday.

“I’m voting for David Englin on November 3.  David has proven himself to be a principled, effective legislator whose energetic brand of open and responsive leadership keeps the 45th District moving forward,” said Sen. Mark R. Warner, who lives in Old Town and votes in the 45th District.

“The voters of the 45th District should be proud of David Englin’s principled, effective, progressive leadership in the General Assembly,” said Sen. Jim Webb.  “He’s a smart, hard-working legislator who isn’t afraid to take on the tough fights and who knows how to deliver for his constituents, and he has my full support.”

“I’m deeply honored to have the support of these two great Virginia leaders,” said Englin.  “Nobody knows more about running the Commonwealth than Mark Warner, whose leadership as governor put Virginia’s fiscal house in order while also protecting and strengthening public education and expanding health care coverage for poor children.  Jim Webb is a fearless and principled leader who takes on tough fights like criminal justice reform not because it’s popular but because it’s the right thing to do.”

These endorsements round out a growing list of proclamations of support for Englin’s re-election, including:  [Read more...]

Many thanks to everyone who came out for last night’s Volunteer Night despite the dismal weather!  With just over two weeks left until Election Day, we have several Volunteer Nights and Canvass opportunities, so please mark you calendar.

Team Englin Volunteer Nights are 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at 1505 Wayne St, Alexandria (map) on the following dates:

• Monday, October 19
• Tuesday, October 27
• Thursday, October 29
• Sunday, November 1
• Monday, November 2
• Let us know when you can make it at 703-549-3203 or gro.nilgnedivadnull@ofni!

Door-to-Door Canvassing for the Democratic Ticket leaves from 1307 King St, Alexandria (map) every Saturday and Sunday:

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David joined other Arlington County officials and activists yesterday for a special ceremony to break ground on the new Mary Marshall Assisted Living Residence, which will provide 52 units of assisted living housing for low-income seniors with serious mental illness or intellectual or physical disabilities.

“As our community ages, we need to do everything possible to help people live independently and with dignity for as long as possible,” said David.  “We’re lucky to have committed Arlingtonians with the vision and creativity to make possible this kind of affordable and supported housing partnership between the public and non-profit sectors.”

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Alexandria – The Alexandria Police Benevolent Association, which represents the law enforcement officers and employees of the Alexandria Police Department, announced today that it endorses Del. David Englin (D-45) for re-election to the House of Delegates in this year’s election Nov. 3.

“Delegate Englin has proven time and again to the men and women of the Alexandria Police Department — and to the families, individuals, and businesses we serve — that we can count on him to fight for what we need to keep Alexandria a safe place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Michael Kochis, President of the Alexandria Police Benevolent Association. “David has our backs, and it’s important that we have his as he stands for re-election.”

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Alexandria – Virginia’s annual energy and water efficiency sales tax holiday begins Friday, Oct. 9 and runs through Monday, Oct. 12.  During this four-day period, customers will not be charged the 5 percent state and local retail sales tax on Energy Star and WaterSense qualified products purchased for non-commercial use that cost $2,500 or less.  The exempt Energy Star items include dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and programmable thermostats that carry the Energy Star designation.  The exempt WaterSense items include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories, and toilets.

“This is the kind of targeted tax incentive that I hope encourages people to invest in readily available consumer technologies that ultimately protect the environment by reducing demand for electricity and water,” said Delegate David Englin (D-45).  “Not only is this a win-win for Virginia consumers, businesses, and the environment, but it also will give our local retailers a boost by drawing in people from D.C. and Maryland.”

More information about exempt items, along with guidelines for the sales tax holiday and a set of frequently asked questions, are available on the Tax Department’s Sales Tax Holiday Information Center at www.tax.virginia.gov.

Alexandria - Equality Virginia today announced that it supports Del. David Englin (D-45) for re-election to the House of Delegates in this year’s election Nov. 3.

“Equality Virginia has supported David Englin consistently since he first ran for office, and we continue to do so this year,” said Jon Blair, president of Equality Virginia.  “David has earned our support by fighting to defend gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Virginians from discrimination and unfair treatment, and sponsoring several bills — including the Marriage Equality Amendment — that would actively advance equal rights.  In 2007, he secured passage of a law that protects equal rights in hospital visitation. If you support equal rights for GLBT Virginians, Delegate David Englin has earned your support in his bid for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates.”

“As an unabashed advocate of equal rights for all people, it’s an honor to have the support of the premier organization in Virginia working to ensure that every Virginian is treated with equal dignity and respect,” said Englin.  “Our nation was founded on the idea that each person has a self-evident, equal, and inalienable right to human freedom, and I’m proud to do my part to move that vision closer to reality.”

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Even with the intermittent rain, Team Englin’s grassroots volunteers from every corner of the 45th District turned out in force again for yesterday’s Volunteer Night.

“It was amazing to come home from meeting with local small business owners at the Chamber of Commerce event tonight to find a packed house full of volunteers working so hard to make a difference,” said David.  “Your hard work and commitment inspires me to work even harder to win on November 3 and to deliver the progress we so badly need.”

Join Team Englin for our next Volunteer Night on Tuesday, October 6, and come out and knock on doors for the Deeds-Wagner-Shannon-Englin ticket every Saturday and Sunday!  Click here for details.