Al Franken Finally Emerges Victorious In Minnesota’s US Senate Race

I was pleased to see that Al Franken has finally been declared the winner of the US Senate election he won last November … but it took a unanimous decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court to finally get Norm Coleman and the RSCC to admit defeat … I look forward to seeing him apply his talents to the work of the US Senate.

Gov. Kaine Ask For Help To Keep “Moving Virginia Forward”

Virginia Democrats have made amazing progress in recent years. Last year’s election showed once again that Virginians want strong leaders who focus on results – not ideology – and who are willing to make tough choices based on what’s best for the Commonwealth.

With your support we’ve kept Virginia moving forward. We can’t afford to lose momentum now.

This Wednesday, June 30 is a critical date for the statewide Democratic ticket of Creigh Deeds, Jody Wagner, and Steve Shannon. The best way for our candidates to reach Virginia families and share their plans to keep Virginia the Best State for Business, the Best Managed State, and the Best Place to Raise a Child is to finish this quarter strong.

The November elections are fast-approaching. I urge you to help elect these long-time public servants committed to improving the lives of Virginians throughout the Commonwealth.

Help continue the progress we’ve made in the past eight years by electing Creigh, Jody and Steve this November.

Please make an investment in Virginia’s future by making a contribution to the 2009 statewide Democratic ticket.

Thank you for your past support of our candidates and for your continued generosity as we work together to keep moving Virginia forward.

Warm Regards,

Governor Tim Kaine

King George Red, White and Blue Picnic Today

RED, WHITE & BLUE PICNIC!

Saturday * June 27 * 4–7pm

17064 Ferry Dock Road, Dahlgren, King George

(Home of Helene & Dick Kelly)

• Take route 206 (Dahlgren Road) into Dahlgren. Turn right at the light onto Potomac Drive. Go to the end of the road. Turn right on Ferry Dock Road and left into the driveway.

• Great views! Great people! Great food!

• Lifeguard will be available for dips in William’s Creek

Come meet our representative Albert Pollard. Several candidates for state races have been invited and may join us!

Free admission…..donations accepted

Drinks, burgers and hot dogs provided.  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. RSVP by calling 540-663-4206.

Sponsored by the King George Co. Democratic Committee

Deeds For Virginia – Join Us and Keep The Monentum Going

Steve Shannon for Attorney General Releases Debate Videos

Note:  Click here to see more Steve Shannon’s videos

Senator Mark Warner Offers Legislation On Government’s TARP Investments

Here is what the TARP Recipient Ownership Trust Act of 2009 will do:

• Out of government control: Government ownership stakes in more that 20 percent of a private company — which, by fall 2009, will include AIG, Citigroup, and General Motors – will move into a newly created Limited Liability Corporation (LLC).

• Private sector management: This trust fund will be managed in the private sector by managers who have been successful in the private market in order to maximize the return on investments.

• Maximize Profits: The trust that will be managed by three independent, non-political trustees, appointed by the President, with the objective of looking at TARP-recipient companies with fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers.

• End-date: The trustees to liquidate the government’s interests by December 24, 2011, but stipulates that if the trustees feel liquidation is not in the best interest of taxpayers, they can come back to Congress at that time with their alternative recommendation.

Senator Mark Warner Busy Supporting Creigh Deeds for Governor

Virginia Democrats are energized and united behind Creigh Deeds, our new nominee for governor.

Right after our primary election, I had the privilege of joining Creigh and our other Democratic statewide nominees as we officially kicked-off the Fall campaign and demonstrated to Virginians that our ticket will continue the progress we’ve made together over the last eight years.

I wanted to share some of the highlights of the two campaign stops I’ve made with Creigh, Jody Wagner and Steve Shannon. Here are some fun photos from our stop at the Silver Diner in Arlington and at the Democratic Unity Rally in Williamsburg the next day:

Click here to view my photo album.

In the weeks and months ahead, we will fight one of the toughest campaigns Virginia has ever seen.

Throughout his career, Creigh has been focused on working with all of his colleagues in the legislature to produce commonsense solutions, and not partisanship. I look forward to a Fall campaign that fairly and honestly compares the records of both candidates, because that will prove to Virginians that Creigh Deeds is by far the better choice to keep Virginia moving forward.

I know that I can always count on having your support. Thank you so much for everything you have done and will do again.

Best,
Mark

Basic Info on “Cash for Clunkers”

“Cash for Clunkers” was included in the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R. 2346) … it should help … reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our dependence on oil, and stimulates new-vehicle sales to help our economy …  people who trade in a vehicle made in 1984 or later that gets 18 miles per gallon or less can get a taxpayer-financed voucher to buy a new vehicle getting better gas mileage

• Passenger cars must get at least 4 mpg better milage for a $3,500 voucher or 10 mpg better for a $4,500 voucher
• Light trucks and SUVs, must get at least 2 mpg better milage for a $3,500 voucher or 5 mpg for a $4,500 voucher
• Pick-ups and vans weighing between 6,000 and 8,500 pounds  (the new vehicle must get at least 15 mpg) the voucher is $3,500 for new vehicles getting at least 1 mpg better than the old one or $4,500 for 2 mpg or better.

Mileage requirements are EPA combined city/highway mpg as posted on window stickers or at www.fueleconomy.gov.

To qualify, the new vehicle must .. “be purchased or leased between July 1 and November 1, 2009″  … trade in must go to a participating dealer … the dealer must agree to scrap the clunker but can sell parts except for engine blocks and drive trains … trade-in vehicles must be “drivable” and “continuously insured and registered to the same owner for at least one year”

Once President Obama signs the bill, the administration has 30 days to publish a website that includes complete guidelines for determining eligible trade-ins, details on participation and a list of new vehicles that meet program requirements …

President Obama’s Plan for Regulatory Reform of Our Financial System

Note:  The Obama Administration has released a regulatory reform plan designed to “modernize and protect the integrity of our financial system.” … according the the Treasury … the plan will:

• Require that all financial firms that pose a significant risk to the financial system at large are subjected to strong consolidated supervision and regulation
• Increase market discipline and transparency to make our markets strong enough to withstand system-wide stress and the potential failure of one or more large financial institutions
• Rebuild trust in our markets by creating the Consumer Financial Protection Agency to focus exclusively on protecting consumers in credit, savings, and payment markets.
• Provide the government with the tools needed to manage financial crises so it is not forced to choose between bailouts and financial collapse
• Raise international regulatory standards and improve international coordination

Below are Links to the White Paper and Fact Sheets:

White Paper: Financial Regulatory Reform:

http://www.financialstability.gov/docs/regs/FinalReport_web.pdf

Fact sheets:

Requiring Strong Supervision And Appropriate Regulation Of All Financial Firms

http://www.financialstability.gov/docs/regulatoryreform/requiring_strong_supervision_reg_finfirms.pdf

Strengthening Regulation Of Core Markets And Market Infrastructure

http://www.financialstability.gov/docs/regulatoryreform/strengthening_reg_core-markets_infrastructure.pdf

Strengthening Consumer Protection

http://www.financialstability.gov/docs/regulatoryreform/strengthening_consumer_protection.pdf

Providing The Government With Tools To Effectively Manage Failing Institutions

http://www.financialstability.gov/docs/regulatoryreform/providing_govt_tools_manage_fincrisis.pdf

Improving International Regulatory Standards And Cooperation

http://www.financialstability.gov/docs/regulatoryreform/improving_internatl_reg_standards_co-op.pdf

Virginia Bar Association Announces July 25th Gubernatorial Debate

The Virginia Bar Association announced today that Sen. Creigh Deeds and former Attorney General Bob McDonnell have agreed to allow the association to host the two men’s first debate. The VBA has been hosting debates early in the election season for decades and everyone had already been assuming they’d do so again this year.

The Deeds/McDonnell showdown has been set for 11 a.m. on July 25 at the Homestead, giving Deeds a bit of home field advantage. Dean Rodney Smolla of Washington & Lee School of Law will moderate.

The Virginia Bar Association just announced that Virginia Senator and Democratic candidate for Governor, Creigh Deeds and his GOP challenger have agreed to debate on July 25 at the Homestead … Dean Rodney Smolla of Washington & Lee School of Law is scheduled to moderate … click here to read the complete press release  debate09