There are few things more precious that we will pass on to our children than a healthy environment.  This morning I was pleased to join the Friends of Accotink Creek for a stream clean up in the City of Fairfax.  Thanks to all of the volunteers for helping to make a real difference.  In all we collected several dozen bags of trash.  I am especially proud that my son Alex and nephew Quinn also joined in the effort.

I am very proud to have received the “Solid as a Rock for Public Education Award” at the Virginia Education Association’s 2011 convention.  It has been an honor to work with our educators here in the community and as a member of the House Committee on Education to ensure that all of our children get a quality public education.

This past Wednesday, the House of Delegates voted on new district lines to account for population changes.  Based on the 2010 U.S. Census, the ideal district population should be 80,010.  With only 75,246 residents, the 37th District needed to grow.  Because other districts in the older parts of Fairfax County were in the same situation, the net result is that the 37th District lost many of its eastern precincts and now stretches out Lee Highway west into Centreville.  

New precincts include: Monument, Eagle View, Fair Oaks, Willow Springs (part), Powell, Stone (part), London Towne East, and London Towne West (part).

Precincts that I am heart-sick to lose include: Mantua, Price, Pine Ridge, Camelot, Ridgelea, Mosby (but only a part), Olde Creek, Woodson (except for the GMU campus), Robinson, and Bonnie Brae.

See below for a map showing the new 37th District (solid red line) and precincts that now belong to other districts (dashed red line).  An interactive map can be found at the General Assembly Redistricting Website.  Click here and go to “HB5001 Passed Senate” under Plan List.

While I am sad to lose so many wonderful constituents, I am looking forward to meeting many new people and to working hard on their behalf here in the community and down in Richmond!

This Wednesday I will be defending two of my bills during the reconvened session, which is when the General Assembly considers the Governor’s amendments to legislation and whether to sustain or over-ride the Governor’s vetoes. 

One of these is HB2103, which would require the Pickett Road Tank Farm to bring their above ground storage tanks into conformance with modern industry standards. Currently, the tanks, which store more than one million gallons of fuel, are grandfathered under old rules that afford very few protections. For instance, many of the tanks do not have double bottoms or release prevention barriers, meaning that any leak will go directly into the ground. These new standards are there for a reason – to protect public safety and the environment. Given the tank farm’s age and history of leaks, including a new incident where the source of the petroleum has yet to be identified, such an upgrade doesn’t seem unreasonable. Senator Petersen introduced companion legislation (SB843) and both bills passed the General Assembly unanimously. 

Regrettably, the Governor has proposed amendments that significantly weaken both bills by making them state-wide and less specific about what action needs to be taken, if any. The Connection has a great article that provides a more detailed explanation.  Rather than accept legislation that is not likely to make the community safer, Senator Petersen and I are asking the General Assembly to reject the amendments and for the Governor to sign the bills as originally passed.

You have an opportunity to make a difference! Assuming the General Assembly rejects the amendments on Wednesday, the Governor has seven days to decide whether to accept the original language or to veto the measures. If this issue is important to you, please consider emailing, writing, or calling the Governor’s office and ask that he sign HB2103 and SB843 into law. Click here for contact information.