Governor Tim Kaine calls Special Session of General Assembly

on Transportation

 Governor Tim Kaine has called the General Assembly into Special Session on June 23rd, 2008. He will be introducing a transportation package designed to:

• Provide statewide funding for maintenance of our transportation infrastructure,
• Provide a regional funding package designated for strictly regional projects, and
• Create a fund to move us away from over reliance on our road system, expand mass transit in the Commonwealth, and fund other options that will keep cars off the highways

Nobody likes taxes.  However, I and my fellow delegates are going to have to make some difficult choices in terms of how to fund transportation.  There is an old saying; "The Governor proposes, the General Assembly disposes."  I am very proud of Governor Kaine for putting forth a transportation plan for us to begin discussions around. BUT I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU.  Read the Governor's plan linked above and tell me how you would structure it to accomplish the goal of getting us out from under traffic congestion.  If you don't want us to do anything, I'd like to hear from you as well. It is my judgment that spending cuts would not be sufficient to fund transportation infrastructure improvements, not to mention the serious and significant maintenance deficit we are facing.  This does not mean that cuts cannot be part of the solution if we can find responsible ways to do that.  Any specific suggestions you have in that regard would be most welcome. 

This is how representative democracy works.  To represent you, I need to know what you think.  I can be reached by email at DelDMarsden@house.state.va.us or by telephone at 703-323-4733. 

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Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

-Dave Marsden  

Come join me in support of the Fairfax Partnership for Youth!

8 A.M. Monday, June 30th
Ponds Community Center
9837 Burke Pond Lane
Burke, VA 22015

While the event is free for all constituents, I am hoping to that those interested could make a donation of $35 per person or $50 per couple to the Fairfax Partnership for Youth. This organization provides mentoring for troubled youth, suicide and depression education, and alternatives to suspension that provide tutoring for youth who have been suspended from school. They were hoping for continued support from the General Assembly, which it was unable to provide this year due to our budget shortfall. As a member of their board and a longtime supporter, I'm trying to do my part to fill that gap. Contributions can be made at the event. Regardless of whether you choose to support the Partnership for Youth, I hope you will be able to make it to my legislative update and breakfast; the Special Session on transportation will have just been completed and I'll be able to fill you in on what happened. We may even have a special guest or two!

Hope to see you there and give me a call at 703-964-6821 or respond by email to delegatedavemarsden@gmail.com.

2008 General Assembly Session

Comes to a Close

2008 was my most productive session yet in the General Assembly! Nine pieces of legislation that I introduced are expected to be signed into law by Governor Kaine this Spring prior to the Veto Session on April 23rd.  The most significant piece is House Bill 1257, which creates four pilot sites throughout the Commonwealth to provide services to families that will increase the amount of child support that custodial parents will receive from non-custodial parents. 

In a budget with a $1.1 billion projected shortfall, the benefits of this pilot program were such that I was able to convince my colleagues in the General Assembly that it was a worthwhile investment.  The savings in jail costs as a result of not having to incarcerate non-custodial parents for non-payment, as well as our increased ability to draw down federal funds will lead to a projected net savings of $375,000 per year within four years.  If this program is successful, it will significantly decrease our jail overcrowding, engage non-custodial parents with their families to a greater extent, and keep parents out of jail thereby removing the number one risk factor for delinquency for children.  These benefits, on top of increased child support for custodial parents, make this one of the most progressive and important initiatives to pass the General Assembly this year. 

I would like to acknowledge Director Nick Young of the Virginia Department of Child Support Enforcement for his work in making this legislation possible.  For more information on my legislation this year and an update on other measures passed by the General Assembly, please see my 'Legislation' page.

--Dave Marsden