Virginia Schools Benefit From Refinancing Savings

 Note: In 2005 Voters in Virginia understood the message to “Keep Virginia Moving Forward” and elected Tim Kaine our Governor … one thing he clearly understood was the need for Virginia to maintain its AAA bond rating … the following announcement shows voters once again that Democrats know how to govern …

GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES $4.1 MILLION IN REFINANCING SAVINGS TO 31 LOCAL SCHOOL DIVISIONS

~ Savings will provide budget relief for localities in 2010 ~

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that $4.1 million in refinancing savings would be distributed to 31 Virginia school divisions. The savings, which range between $4,760 and $662,686, result from the issuance by the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) of $114.2 million in School Financing Refunding Bonds, Series 2009, which was completed March 12, 2009.  Savings will be distributed to the localities on July 15, 2009, in the form of a one-time credit against their debt service. 

“I am delighted that we have been able to provide some additional budget relief for these localities in 2010,” Governor Kaine said. “These savings will be passed through to the localities as a credit, freeing up funds in local budgets.”  

Localities receiving the savings were participants in four earlier VPSA bond issues that were refunded by the 2009 bonds.  The amount of savings credit for any locality is determined by the locality’s participation in the earlier bond issues — the larger the original bond amount, the larger the savings. The participating localities are being contacted directly by the VPSA.  The Literary Fund will also receive savings of approximately $2.86 million, representing savings on local borrowings originally subsidized by the Literary Fund.

Virginia A Model Of Transparency for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

GOVERNOR KAINE KICKS OFF NEXT PHASE OF STIMULUS.VIRGINIA.GOV

~ Revamped model site to provide ongoing information on recovery plan allocations and projects ~

RICHMOND —Governor Timothy M. Kaine today launched an overhauled Stimulus.Virginia.Gov, transforming the state’s original, pioneering website into Virginia’s comprehensive online portal for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). With the conclusion of the project solicitation phase of the Commonwealth’s program to implement the recovery plan, the website is transitioning to present a wide range of information related to the ARRA—including maps, graphs, charts, and downloadable tables that allow citizens to see where proposals have originated, where money is flowing, and what specific projects and geographies are benefiting from recovery plan funding.

“In Virginia —just as in other states across the country—we’ve made transparency and accountability a core part of our program to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” Governor Kaine said. “As we work to build a stronger economic future for Virginia ,  the redesigned Stimulus.Virginia.Gov will be a central tool to ensure Virginians can see where funds are being used and how the recovery plan is working in our state.”

Virginia will receive approximately $4.8 billion in direct appropriations from the ARRA—not including tax cuts, which will aid Virginia citizens directly. In addition, a large amount of additional funds will be in the form of competitive grants that have yet to be awarded. These grants may be awarded to a wide range of groups, including state agencies and institutions of higher education, local governments, quasi-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, and private companies. White House economists estimate the recovery plan will create or save 93,000 jobs in Virginia over the next two years.

Given the ARRA’s unprecedented requirements on disclosure and reporting the use of funding, State Comptroller David Von Moll will be working to ensure Virginia state agencies and institutions of higher education meet all reporting requirements to the federal government, including:

· How funds are being used;

· Descriptions and status reports on stimulus-related projects;

· Estimates of jobs saved or created by federal stimulus activities; and

· Estimates of tax increases averted because of federal stimulus funds.

The revamped Stimulus.Virginia.Gov website mirrors the principles of Recovery.gov by posting this disclosure information as it becomes available. This additional reporting allows Virginians to monitor how the recovery plan is working throughout the state and ensure tax dollars are being spent productively and responsibly. The site will show all available ARRA funds by Cabinet Secretariat, and map expenditures by locality and will be updated on a continual basis.

Virginia was among the first states in the nation to launch a website dedicated to offering citizens, community groups, and localities a voice in the recovery plan process. Between February 10 and March 6, Stimulus.Virginia.Gov received more than 9,000 project ideas, totaling $450 billion, including:

–  Transportation – more than $180 billion of projects submitted.

–  Education –     $14.4 billion of K-12 schools projects

$7.9 billion of K-12 construction projects

$1.6 billion of Higher Education projects

$654 million of High Education infrastructure projects

$2.5 billion of Higher Education construction projects

–  Health Information Technology – 178 projects submitted, $1 billion. Following a Health IT town hall hosted by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn Tavenner and Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra, project proposals related to technology increased by nearly ten-fold.

–  Broadband infrastructure – 324 projects submitted, $8.8 billion. Submissions are expected to be useful to service providers who can now see what communities are organizing to attract broadband service.

–  Water Projects/Environmental Infrastructure – $28.6 billion of projects submitted.

Over the next few weeks, the Governor’s working group on stimulus funds will continue routing these projects to the appropriate Cabinet Secretariat for review and evaluation. Ultimately, recommendations around potential projects will be presented to Governor Kaine, who is expected to make final decisions on recovery plan allocations in early April.

# # #

Advances Mark End of Virginia’s Legislative Session

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA 

Office of the Governor Timothy M. Kaine    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Internet:                www.governor.virginia.gov

GOVERNOR KAINE MARKS CONCLUSION OF SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE SESSION

~ Lawmakers pass historic smoking ban, Renew Virginia initiatives, bills to encourage economic development and address budget shortfall ~

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine marked the end of the 2009 General Assembly session today by highlighting a number of key victories, including a landmark ban on smoking in virtually all restaurants and bars throughout the Commonwealth. Among the notable legislative achievements are several innovative energy industry reforms and the creation of economic incentives as part of Governor Kaine’s Renew Virginia initiative, measures to improve ballot access for servicemen and women overseas, and the crafting of a balanced budget during a global economic crisis.

“I am proud to have worked with the legislature to keep Virginia moving forward, even in an undeniably challenging fiscal environment,” Governor Kaine said. “Despite the economic realities facing Virginia , we have continued to protect the health of Virginians and we have found ways to encourage environmentally-responsible economic development while creating green jobs. We also have addressed a significant budget shortfall in a targeted way that will minimize impact to services while positioning the Commonwealth for future successes.”

Focus Group Results Have President Obama’s Speech Approval Crossing Party Lines

Tonight after President Obama addressed a Joint Session of Congress  I took part in a conference call  with the folks from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Democracy Corps … they held a dial testing focus group and gauged reactions of voters – about half of whom voted for Barack Obama and half of whom voted for John McCain in November  … from state of Nevada  … for a large part of the speech pollster Stan Greenberg found that Republicans were viewing what President Obama had to say favorably in most areas … the exception was in the area of health care … the notion of responsibility and “the day of reckoning has come” really resonated … other areas that hit home was  … veterans, troops and pay raises …  banks and financial crisis “helping people not helping banks” … and energy independence and acting on it … in the end the approval rating hit 76% … well done Mr. President!

Chris Rey Jumps Into Virginia House District 93 Race

Note: In 2007 Virginia’s 93rd District voters were not given an opportunity to vote for a Democratic candidate … from the following announcement it looks like this year will be different … I’ve met Chris and applaud his willingness to get involved in bringing about positive change for the 93rd and Virginia!

CHRIS REY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES DISTRICT 93 VIRGINIA-
February 6, 2009

Chris Rey announced his candidacy for Virginia House of Delegates District 93 today from Newport News, Va. He comes into the event with a commitment to increase the integrity and productivity of the state government. Rey has been continuously involved in community programs, civic organizations, and assisting emerging businesses to become an integral part of the local economy.

“What District 93 needs right now is a choice, someone who represents their needs. That is why I’m running for Delegate. This election will be about responsible government and viable solutions” said Rey.

Center for American Progress Provides Analysis “Beyond the Beltway”

If you’ve got some spare time to do serious reading … I’d encourage you to check out the Center’s “Beyond the Beltway” series … while I don’t agree with all the analysis these reports are reasonable starting points for policy wonks looking to know about important issues: 

Overview: The Nationwide Allocation of $541 billion 

 Tax Cuts to Make Work Pay 

Helping Those Most in Need 

 21st Century Education 

Protecting Vital Services  

NOTE:  in the Overview of the $541 Billion … Virginia’s allocation is anticipated to be $11.05 Billion

President-elect Barack Obama Weekly Video Addresses Our Economic Crisis

President-elect Obama’s Weekly Message of Thanksgiving and Change

Obama Clear Winner in 1st, 2nd, and now 3rd Presidential Debate

At the conclusion of the third and final Presidential debate of the 2008 election cycle where Senator Barack Obama spoke to America with the following:  

I think we all know America is going through tough times right now. The policies of the last eight years and — and Washington’s unwillingness to tackle the tough problems for decades has left us in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. And that’s why the biggest risk we could take right now is to adopt the same failed policies and the same failed politics that we’ve seen over the last eight years and somehow expect a different result. We need fundamental change in this country, and that’s what I’d like to bring.You know, over the last 20 months, you’ve invited me into your homes, you’ve shared your stories with me, and you’ve confirmed onceagain the fundamental decency and generosity of the American people.  And that’s why I’m sure that our brighter days are still ahead. But we’re going to have to invest in the American people again,in tax cuts for the middle class, in health care for all Americans and college for every young person who wants to go, in businesses that can create the new energy economy of the future, in policies that will lift wages and will grow our middle class.These are the policies I’ve fought for my entire career, and these are the policies I want to bring to the White House. But it’s not going to be easy. It’s not going to be quick. It’s going to be requiring all of us — Democrats, Republicans,independents — to come together and to renew a spirit of sacrifice and service and responsibility. I’m absolutely convinced we can do it. I would ask for your vote. And I promise you that if you give me the extraordinary honor of serving as your president, I will work every single day tirelessly on your behalf and on the behalf of the future of our children. Thank you very much.

Barack Obama Clear Victor In Analysis of Second Debate

Immediately after Barack Obama and the GOP candidate’s second Presidential “Debate” from Nashville, Tennessee I took part in a conference call with pollster Stan Greenberg of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Democracy Corps. 

I found the results of the dial testing focus group “conducted in Las Vegas, Nevada among undecided voters who watched the second debate between Barack Obama and John McCain” to be in line with my own analysis.

The final result showed the verdict to have Barack Obama as winning the forum with 38% to John McCain’s 30%.

The group started our the night with a 54% positive reaction to Barack Obama and ended the evening with an 80% positive reaction. Meanwhile McCain started with a 48% positive and moved to only 56% at the conclusion..

This was the second call I attended, in a series of three calls around the Presidential debates and look forward to the next and final debate.