Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Honored

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank was recently honored as the top food bank in the U.S. for its work in feeding the hungry. BRAFB received the "2009 Feeding America Member of the Year" award at the Feeding America Annual Conference last week. The award is based on going above and beyond the core mission of food banks - last year BRAFB distributed 10.8 million lbs. of food, a 24% increase in just one year. The "Kids Cafe" and the "BackPack" programs are great example of their outreach. The award is quite an honor considering there are over 200 food banks in the country. Read more about the award and the work of the BRAFB.

Given the yesterday's vote in which GOP legislators killed expanded unemployment benefits, the work of Virginia food banks and food pantries is more important than ever. You can help the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank or a local food pantry (such as the Verona Community Food Pantry, PO Box 187, Verona VA 24482) by making a tax-deductible donation.

Republican family values

General Assembly Republicans, with cheerleading from Bob McDonnell, rejected changes in Virginia law that would have expanded unemployment benefits to be paid for by $125 million in federal stimulus funds. Their argument that the costs would be passed on to small business rings hollow - when the federal funds ended, the Commonwealth could have reverted to the current law.

The proposal passed the Senate along party lines, but was rejected in the House of Delegates with 53 Republicans lining up against it. Governor Kaine called the House vote a "huge mistake" and, his voice shaking with anger said,

"There are an awful lot of people who are hurting in Virginia... and the message to them seems to be, just, 'We don't care; we don't care. Fend for yourselves.' "

The governor hinted the fight isn't over, noting the mistake could be corrected. Just how isn't clear as the governor didn't specify any steps that his office may take.

So, we are passing up money that would help stimulate local economies across Virginia. Will this $125 million now go to unemployed in other states, thereby pumping up their economies? More importantly, many Virginia families will have a little less for food, a little less for kids' clothes, a little less for school supplies.

So much for Republican family values.

Shootout at the Richmond Corral?

Governor Tim Kaine vetoed a dozen bills, most expanding the death penalty or allowing concealed weapons in more places. Through the years, the governor has been very consistent on these issues and the vetoes shouldn't have surprised anyone. It is likely the General Assembly will uphold most of the vetoes. Most likely overrides are the bills dealing with the death penalty for a person convicted of killing a fire marshall or auxiliary police officer, allowing retired law-enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons into bars, and one exempting active-duty military from a state law limiting handgun purchases to one a month 

A bigger battle looms over the question of taking about $125 million in federal stimulus money for expanded unemployment benefits. What's the fight about... seems like a no-brainer? To accept the money, Virginia would have to change laws to allow part time workers who get laid off to receive unemployment compensation.

Democrats generally support taking the federal money to help the increasing number of unemployed all across the state. That money won't just sit in their bank accounts - it will be spent in communities for food, clothes, and all sorts of necessities thus helping to stimulate the both the local and national economies.

Republicans are saying whoa... not so fast. Siding with the Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, they say it will increase red tape (the second most recited chant of conservatives) and will increase spending by the unemployment trust fund that may lead to higher taxes (guess what their most recited chant is).

But, this issue may not be quite as simple as Democrat v. Republican. Some GOP delegates from areas with rising unemployment are facing constituent pressure to support taking the federal stimulus money. This is an election year for all delegates - both incumbents and challengers will be looking to make political hay on this one.

And there is one other lingering question - will the legislators fill judicial slots left unfilled during the regular session? A failure to do so will leave a smudge on a central premise of democracy - justice.

Senator Warner plans Valley visits

Senator Mark Warner will hold constituent meetings in the central Shenandoah Valley on Thursday, April 16. He will be in Staunton at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel from 11:00 AM to Noon and in Harrisonburg at the JMU Grafton Theater from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.

Deeds files petition

Everybody knew Senator Creigh Deeds would be filing his petitions for the gubernatorial primary this week - after all, the deadline is Friday. According to a press release distributed Monday, he actually filed nearly 16,000 signatures late last week. Deeds praised the "tremendous showing of grassroots support." Deeds will be on the ballot along with Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran for the June 9 primary.

New Bird in the 20th

Erik Curren, Director of Marketing and Sales at the American Shakespeare Center, will challenge Chris Saxman for the 20th District House of Delegates seat. Curren has been exploring the opportunity for the past couple of months and said he's been encouraged by colleagues in business and the community, by party leaders, and by friends and family. While he knows taking on an incumbent is tough, Curren says folks tell him they want a delegate who will listen, be more responsive, and be less dogmatic.

The filing deadline is April 10 and it appears Curren will be the only candidate to have completed the paperwork and collected the signatures to be certified for the June 9 Democratic primary.

Curren is active in a number of community activities including Staunton Green 2020, a recently formed citizens group focusing on raising awareness about clean energy and economic development for the the Queen City. His campaign for delegate will probably focus on those issues, transportation, and preserving the quality of life in the Shenandoah Valley. He has expressed strong support for public education, a position that stands in sharp contrast to Saxman.

Curren is a graduate of Washington and Lee and earned a PhD at the University of California, Irvine. He's taught English abroad and several places in the United States, including Blue Ridge Community College. He lives in historic downtown Staunton.

The 20th District includes Staunton, Highland County, much of western Augusta County, and several precincts in southern Rockingham County. He promises to run on issues, not personalities, and sees the campaign as "project in participatory democracy for the area where citizens can be involved in a discussion of the most promising opportunities and solutions for the area and state."

Over the past few months, Erik has earned a reputation for asking questions and listening to the answers rather than talking to potential voters. That is as refreshing as our warm spring days!

The Big Number

Senator Creigh Deeds stopped by Jess' Lunch in downtown Harrisonburg on Saturday to promote his campaign for governor, talk transportation, and (I hope) enjoy a couple of the famous dogs. While other issues were on the agenda, Deeds talked transportation. Local media has been hyping up the possible rest area closures and some politicians are playing the Happy Meal fix - leasing rest area rights to private companies. While that may help keep rest areas open, Deeds knows a far more comprehensive solution is needed if Virginia is to build and maintain the kind of transportation system our future economy demands.

The DNR article mentioned Deeds is closely trailing this opponents in a recent poll. The really BIG number in the poll is the 46% undecided just two months from the primary. With Senator Deeds essentially taking January and February off during the session of the General Assembly, the amazing thing is that he is hanging right in there with Moran and McAuliffe. There seems to a little McAuliffe fatigue setting in while Deeds is enjoying a bit of a surge now that he's back on the stump.

The poll also showed Deeds as the favorite of 18-29 year old voters - many of whom were energized by the Obama campaign. His challenge will be getting them to the polls for a primary which usually has fairly low turnout. Low turnout means each of those new voters he can get to the polls carry even more weight.