The House budget includes a huge policy shift–basically forcing local governments to assume even more responsibility for education costs.
It’s the worst thing we did this year. Maybe the worst thing we’ve done in several years.
All posts by Kris Amundson
What a night!
Along with about 6,000 of my closest friends, I was at the Siegel Center last night for the annual JJ (Jefferson Jackson) Dinner. What a night!
We heard two fabulous speeches from two wonderful candidates. We connected with friends from across the Commonwealth. We welcomed thousands of young people–many first-time voters–into our party. Their energy and enthusiasm helped make this the most energized JJ ever.
There’s no question that Democrats are feeling hopeful as we move on to November. But as Barack Obama said, hope isn’t just blind optimism. It’s going to take hard work to change this country.
Still, after last night, I actually feel that we can.
Big decision
Two big observances today. First, of course, is Ash Wednesday–the official beginning of Lent.
I love all the ritual associated with this day–the imposition of ashes, the early morning service. I even love the whole idea of giving something up for Lent.
And therein lies the problem. Because today also marks the first Carolina-Duke basketball game.
What to give up? Certainly not alcohol–I can’t get through 15 minutes of UNC-Duke without it. And certainly not swearing–ditto.
So it’s probably chocolate. Although if Carolina loses, I may need some medicinal Hershey’s about 11:15!
UPDATE: Apparently the Tar Heels were also in a spiritual mode. They obviously decided to give up the ball for Lent. Ouch.
Cross Courts
“So how,” people ask me, “do you have time to keep up with the bills and STILL read and post on blogs?”
Easy, I tell them. Courts.
For those who have never visited Richmond, the Courts of Justice committee is legendary. It’s a real workhorse committee, hearing (in round numbers) a zillion bills each year.
That means committee sessions go on forever. And patrons can grow old sitting on the front row of House Room C waiting for their bill to come up.
Luckily, there’s good connectivity in House Room C. So I now know to take my computer.
One day, they’ll hear my bill. Until then, I’m catching up on constituent email.
Oh, and writing this post.
In a rare moment of levity
We have not had a lot of hilarity down here this year. But today, walking back from Session, we saw ladders and scaffolding in front of the door to the General Assembly Building.
“Must have sold the naming rights as a way of raising revenue,” one wag suggested. “Guess they’re painting ‘Welcome to the Tostitos General Assembly Building.'”
Keeping predators out of classrooms
On behalf of the Department of Education, I am carrying legislation to ensure that teachers who sexually abuse children aren’t allowed to return to the classroom, perhaps in another jurisdiction, to repeat their crimes.
We heard one of these very difficult cases when I was on the School Board. I think it’s critically important to strengthen our laws on this issue.
My shoes are in Richmond and other tales of living out of a suitcase
Got up this morning looking forward to one of my favorite Saturday schedules–coffee at my personal Starbuck’s followed by a good workout at my gym. I was dressed down to the shoes when it hit me.
The shoes were in Richmond.
During the General Assembly, we lead a rather itinerant life. We’re up and down I-95 all the time. Sometimes, the stuff we need doesn’t make the trip with us.
Yesterday, session ran longer than predicted. So in order to get to a 3:45 appointment in downtown DC, I hastily threw stuff in a bag and headed out.
I once asked a friend with a beach house how she managed. “Oh,” she said breezily, “when I buy anything, I just buy two.” (Leaving me even more sure that even if I could afford a second home, I couldn’t afford a second home!)
I do have a stationery bike in my house in Alexandria. So today, during the Carolina game, I’ll be riding.
In my stocking feet.
Real solutions for Virginians
It’s time for the General Assembly to focus on real solutions for Virginians.
The first week
Combining blogging with elected-official-ing is always a challenge. During the off season, there’s time to blog and not much to blog about. But since Sunday when we arrived in Richmond, we’ve had PLENTY to blog about . . . but no time to sit down and write.
Barney Frank says that there are two things that have helped him to achieve succes in politics: a sense of humor and a very short attention span. We have needed both this week. In the space of 15 minutes, I bounced from a conversation about the need for a bond issue to support higher education to a phone call from a reporter on one of my bills to answering questions from a student doing a school project on me.Â
I was disappointed that our efforts to make government more transparent met with no success. On opening day, Ken Plum again introduced a rule change that would have required votes in subcommittee to be recorded. It failed on essentially a party line vote. (Bob Marshall broke ranks to vote for the measure.) Similarly, a proposal to televise the proceedings of the House was defeated on a party line vote.
Last night in his State of the Commonwealth speech, Gov. Kaine reminded us all that our time here is short. We serve in a building that is more than 220 years old, and in an institution that dates back to Jamestown. Here’s hoping we can keep that in mind during the next 58 days.
I read it on Facebook
So it must be true.
Jenn McClellan and Dave Mills are engaged.
Congratulations!