The Alborn Foundation "Connecting the public policy dots"

Unlikely Duo Takes On County Executive over Logo

2013-06-09T08:16:00.000-04:00

My June 9, 2914 column in potomaclocal.com is Unlikely Duo Takes On County Executive over Logo.

Supervisors Jenkins and Candland took a page from General Colin Powell’s Overwhelming Force Doctrine. They both came well armed for the discussion.

This is my opinion based upon the facts that I have found. Alternate opinions welcome. I'm always available to join anyone over a cup of coffee who wishes to learn more. My office is the Starbucks at the corner of the Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road in Prince William County, Virginia.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Prince William Should’ve Tapped Local Talent for Logo.

2013-06-09T08:13:00.004-04:00

My June 2, 2914 column in potomaclocal.com is Prince William Should’ve Tapped Local Talent for Logo.

I’m assuming anyone who reads Potomac Local News has seen something about the ongoing story involving Prince William County’s new logo. Here's my opinion.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Keeping Abreast of Local Government Issues Easier Than Before.

2013-05-19T11:59:00.003-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Keeping Abreast of Local Government Issues Easier Than Before.

Fortunes have been made sucking on Government's teat. If you want to know why your tax rate "is what it is", just keep track of who is asking for your money.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Miller Defends Transportation Vote, Balks at Prince William Chamber of Commerce

2013-05-12T11:58:00.000-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Miller Defends Transportation Vote, Balks at Prince William Chamber of Commerce.

I think Jackson Miller "got it right".

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

It's not about the road... its about trust in Government.

2013-05-05T08:11:00.000-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is In Bi-County Parkway Debate, Trust in Gov’t Issue Looms.

You can talk about the Bi-County parkway all you want; however, the fact that there is so much conversation over this issue highlights the real problem: Trust in Government, or the lack thereof. Folks in Prince William County are not convinced that the Commonwealth of Virginia has really "done the math" correctly on the Bi-County Parkway.

When you've lost the trust of the people, you have lost the right to make decisions about their future.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Oversight Plan to Protect Occoquan Watershed Dies

2013-05-02T08:20:00.000-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Oversight Plan to Protect Occoquan Watershed Dies.

The message is simple. You don't have to wait for the Government to improve our environment and protect water quality. f you would like to learn more, go to my column in today's Potomaclocal.com, Oversight Plan to Protect Occoquan Watershed Dies.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Give mediocrity a chance!

2013-04-21T08:21:00.001-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Weary of Fairfax Envy, Let’s Make Prince William ‘Good Enough’. It's a satire.. sorta.

The quest for excellence is simply a politically driven phenomena to get votes with our money. It's a never ending cycle convincing us that we must always be "the best".

I simply suggest that perhaps its time to consider reasonable goals that are "good enough" instead of being caught in a cycle of comparisons with communities that bear little resemblance to Prince William County.

Perhaps local Government should define "good enough" and the incremental costs of every percentage point of performance beyond "good enough". That would be useful information in making those tough budget decisions. Metering this performance would give us a real time measure of how we are doing, and perhaps create a useful tool for adjusting the budget during the year to respond to unintended consequences, unexpected performance, or emergencies.

Government convinces us that we need to be "the best" because its a useful sound bite to drive up revenue collection, and provide memes for political campaigns. Perhaps we need to convince Government that "good enough" is "good enough".

It's a "Think piece". All i ask is that you give mediocrity a chance!

That would have made a great Beatles song...

"Give mediocrity a chance!"

If you would like to learn more about my Conversation with Chairman Johns, go to my column in today's Potomaclocal.com Weary of Fairfax Envy, Let’s Make Prince William ‘Good Enough’.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Virginia’s 2013 Legislative Session: A Fast Ride

2013-04-17T23:12:00.003-04:00

Photo credit DRIVE SMART Virginia

Virginia’s 2013 Legislative Session: A Fast Ride

April 2013

Del. Richard L. Anderson

51^st House District

Virginia General Assembly

We are back home in Woodbridge after two months in Richmond for the 2013 session of the Virginia General Assembly. I am reporting to Prince William residents on what transpired at the Capitol, and I am doing so in my own words and not through a staff filter.

During the 2013 session, legislators filed 2900 bills and sent 813 to Gov. Robert F. McDonnell for action. I patroned 13 bills and 10 are now on the governor’s desk for signature. Our legislative package passed with strong bi-partisan support, and a full 77% of my bills will be signed into law. Here’s a sampling of four bills:

First, HB (House Bill) 1907, Driving While Texting, puts teeth into Virginia’s distracted driving laws. It elevates texting to a primary offense and beefs up fines to deter these deadly behaviors. A total of 42 delegates from both parties co-patroned my bill, and it passed the House by a large bi-partisan margin. I crafted the bill at the request of three Prince William sisters who lost their brother to a texting driver in 2012.

Second, I patroned HB 1601 as chairman of the Virginia Commission on Civics Education. This bill extended the life of the Commission, a bi-partisan body that has strengthened civics education in public schools across the Commonwealth.

Third, I carried HB 1906 as chairman of the General Assembly Military and Veteran Caucus, which champions legislation on behalf of Virginia’s 830,000 veterans. The bill codifies a program to certify businesses on how to recruit, hire, train, and retain veterans. To date, 400 employers have hired or are hiring 3000+ veterans.

And fourth, I carried HB 2175 with House Majority Leader Kirk Cox to start the process of constructing a Northern Virginia Veterans Care Center. This facility will provide comprehensive nursing and domicile care to veterans. I will work hard to bring this Veterans Care Center to PWC and our 50,000 veterans.

My other six bills are at http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+mbr+H210.

After the session concluded, Gov. McDonnell appointed me to the new Virginia Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities. This 10-person body includes four retired four-star or three star officers, four cabinet secretaries, one senator, and one delegate. Its mission is to mitigate the effects of Sequestration on Virginia workers, families, jobs, and businesses. It will also focus on possible Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) rounds in 2015 and 2017. I look forward to tackling this crucial task over the next several years, and I invite Prince William residents to call or email me if they are threatened by Sequestration.

Two other high-visibility issues bear mention.

First, I voted against the highest tax increase in Virginia history, which was in the form of a transportation bill to fund road building and maintenance. I did so after listening to thousands of Prince William residents who asked me to vote against a tax of 3.5% tax on gasoline and 6% on diesel fuel, while increasing taxes on car sales, taxes on goods and services (sales and use tax), taxes on alternative fuel vehicles, taxes on home sales, and taxes on hotel rooms—all in a down economy marked by sequestration, the threat of significant new federal taxes, the cost of implementing healthcare reform, and unprecedented fiscal uncertainty.

Second, I voted on a reform-first approach to our Medicaid system plagued by waste and inefficiency. We will first seek federal approval to reform Virginia’s Medicaid system, before we consider program expansion. Hundreds of thousands of our fellow Virginians rely on Medicaid, and we must first ensure that it is the strong health care safety net that our citizens need. Medicaid reform is the pathway to reasonable Medicaid expansion.

Please call us at your district office in Woodbridge if we may assist in any way, at any time, on any matter. My direct email is DelRAnderson@house.virginia.gov. You can reach my legislative assistant, Ryan Galloway, at the same number or at RGalloway@house.virginia.gov. If all else fails and you have an urgent need, call my Woodbridge home at 703-730-1380. We are here for you—see you around the district.

RICHARD L. ANDERSON

Delegate, 51^st House District

Virginia General Assembly

###

Del. Rich Anderson, a retired 30-year Air Force colonel, represents Prince William County’s 51^st House District in the Virginia General Assembly. He sits on four standing House committees: Finance, Transportation, General Laws, and Science and Technology. He also chairs the General Assembly Military and Veteran Caucus and the Virginia Commission on Civics Education.

Schools Chairman Johns Entertains Citizen Input

2013-04-14T08:22:00.001-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Schools Chairman Johns Entertains Citizen Input. Prince William County School Board Chairman Milt Johns reads what the community has to say about local Government and the Prince William County School System. I was pleased to discover that last week's column, Schools Need More Detailed Budget, caught his attention.

Chairman Johns invited me to coffee. Since last week's column was critical, I wasn't sure what to expect, and braced for the worst. It turns out that our School Board Chairman is very interested in ideas and suggestions, and simply wanted to explore how to perhaps improve the School Board's budget process.

I was impressed.

If you would like to learn more about my Conversation with Chairman Johns, go to my column in today's Potomaclocal.com Schools Chairman Johns Entertains Citizen Input.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

General Assembly Approves Amendments to Texting Bill

2013-04-08T10:09:00.000-04:00

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Delegate Richard L. Anderson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2013

Contact: Legislative Assistant Ryan M. Galloway

E-mail: RGalloway@house.virginia.gov

General Assembly Approves Amendments to Texting Bill

~Del. Rich Anderson’s HB 1907 puts teeth into driving-while-texting laws~

~Bill is now on Governor’s desk for signature~

RICHMOND – At its annual Reconvened Session at the Virginia state capitol in Richmond, the General Assembly approved a set of amendments proposed by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell to HB (House Bill) 1907, the driving-while-texting bill patroned this year by Del. Richard L. Anderson (R-Prince William). The bill moved through the House and Senate with substantial support and wide voting margins and is now on Gov. McDonnell’s desk for signature.

For the first time, Virginia’s motor vehicle texting laws have deterrent value and join three dozen other states that have similar laws on the books.

At an early morning press conference at the state capitol, Del. Rich Anderson outlined details of the bill. He was joined by fellow legislators and representatives of DRIVE SMART Virginia and the Virginia Coalition for Distraction Free Driving.

As a result of the General Assembly’s action, texting while driving is now elevated from a secondary to a primary offense, meaning that law enforcement officials may stop drivers who they see texting and emailing behind the wheel. Additionally, the amendments to Anderson’s bill substantially increase the penalties for driving while texting, from $20 to $125 for a first offense and from $50 to $250 for second and subsequent offenses. The violation will be carried as a standard traffic offense, unless it produces dangerous actions that fall under the state’s reckless driving statutes.

One additional amendment proposed by McDonnell requires the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to make training available to state and local law enforcement agencies for applying the new law.

During debate on the House floor, Anderson moved that his colleagues accept the governor’s amendments, observing that the new fine structure for texting while driving aligns the penalty with driving while intoxicated. Anderson stated that “both practices are forms of impaired driving that impede the ability of vehicle operators to drive safely and threaten the lives and safety of others on the road. I couldn’t be more pleased that this bill is now on the governor’s desk after being attempted by a number of my fellow legislators over the last half-dozen years.”

As the floor manager for the bill, Anderson discovered broad legislative support for his bill. In fact, 42 House members from both parties signed onto his bill as co-patrons, wishing to have their names attached to his legislation. A total of seven driving-while-texting bills had been introduced at the beginning of the legislative session, but Anderson’s bill was deemed by the House leadership to be the most effective approach, resulting in incorporation of all other bills into HB 1907. As a result, Anderson assumed leadership responsibility for successfully navigating the bill through the Virginia House and Senate.

Anderson’s bill originated in the summer of 2012 at the request of a Prince William County family of three sisters whose brother had been killed in April 2012 by a texting driver. The local family met with Anderson and convinced him of the need for legislation. The delegate then worked through the summer, fall, and early winter to draft his bill and garner the necessary support to get it through both houses of the legislature.

In the process, Anderson worked with various Virginia state agencies, DRIVE SMART Virginia, and the Virginia Coalition for Distraction Free Driving. He also worked with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), where he serves on the NCSL Executive Committee that governs the affairs of this national legislative organization of all 7,400 state legislators from the 50 states and several U.S. territories.

In reflecting on successful passage of his bill, Anderson stated that “I couldn’t be happier that this legislation passed. Many legislators have worked for many years on similar bills, so I’m pleased with the result. I didn’t do this alone, and I especially appreciate the bipartisan work that State Sen. George L. Barker (D-39^th) did with me in ensuring that our bill passed the House and Senate and that his companion texting bill had the same success.”

Said Anderson, “I can’t wait to stand behind Gov. McDonnell with families who have lost loved ones and watch him put pen to paper in making HB 1907 the law of the Commonwealth.”

Effective date of the law will be July 1, 2013, after training has been prepared and sent to state and local law enforcement agencies to administer.

###

Schools Need More Detailed Budget

2013-04-07T08:25:00.000-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Schools Need More Detailed Budget.

I attended the he School Board budget and five year plan presentation on Tuesday, 2 April, at 7:30 PM at a Board of County Supervisor's meeting. With the exception of the School Board, a few educators and staffers, and a couple of others... it was a lonely place for an average citizen to be.

I walked away with the impression that perhaps the budget presented to the Community for the first time lacked any noticeable connection to the School System's Strategic Plan, or the community's goals.

Prince William County residents interest in the budget process has increased of late. County Government was the initial focus of its interest, and Office of Management and Budget responded with a more open and transparent process.

Now, some of us are wondering what happens to the roughly Billion dollars and change that the School Board spends every year. I think its time for the Prince William County School System to "catch up" regarding the public interest.

While people of good will may disagree with what our School System should look like, I think we all agree that it should reflect the goals established by the community. It should be strategic.

If you would like to learn more, go to my column Schools Need More Detailed Budget.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Public Input Means Prince William Budget Process Will Never Be the Same.

2013-03-31T12:43:00.000-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Public Input Means Prince William Budget Process Will Never Be the Same.

Most of Prince William County's 420,00 (+/-) residents won't bother to watch. That's a shame. That leaves the future of our County, our communities, your neighborhoods to the domain of special interest groups. When you notice machinery turning that quiet country road in front of your house into a nice new four lane highway, remember this post.

Government is about the money. The budget is where just what our Government will look like is decided. I've become curious of late.

If I have your attention and you decide to play, here are two dates you might want to keep track of.

The School Board will be presenting its budget and five year plan on Tuesday, 2 April, at 7:30 PM at a Board of County Supervisor's meeting. Whether you want to learn more about plans for new schools, pools in schools, plans to increase teacher pay and reduce class sizes (or perhaps not), this one might be worth watching.

Your chance to weigh in on the Prince William County budget occurs at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th at 7:30 PM during a regularly scheduled Board of County Supervisor's meeting. You might want to come early to that meeting because the budget recap is scheduled for the 2:00 session that day.

If you would like to learn more, go to my column Public Input Means Prince William Budget Process Will Never Be the Same.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Gov. McDonnell Takes Action on Texting Bill

2013-03-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Delegate Richard L. Anderson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2013

Contact: Legislative Assistant Ryan M. Galloway

E-mail: RGalloway@house.virginia.gov

Gov. McDonnell Takes Action on Texting Bill

~Governor amends bill patroned by Prince William Delegate Rich Anderson~

~General Assembly to consider amendments on April 3^rd~

RICHMOND – This morning, Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced that he has made minor amendments to HB (House Bill) 1907, which was patroned by Del. Richard L. Anderson (R-Prince William) to strengthen Virginia’s existing texting-while-driving laws. He made the announcement after completing his Constitutionally-required actions on Monday night on bills that were passed by the 2013 General Assembly session.

During the 2013 legislative session that ran from January 9^th to February 23^rd, Del. Anderson was the Chief Patron of HB 1907, a bill to strengthen Virginia state code that deals with texting while driving. Seven texting bills were submitted this year by delegates from around the state, and they were all “rolled into” Del. Anderson’s bill, a legislative term meaning that all other texting proposals were combined with Anderson’s bill and he assumed leadership responsibility for successfully navigating the bill through the Virginia House and Senate.

Anderson’s HB 1907 originally contained two key elements: First, that the offense be elevated from a secondary to a primary offense to further empower law enforcement officials to ensure safety on Virginia’s roads. Currently, 35 other states carry texting while driving as a primary offense. Second, that the fine for an initial offense be elevated from $20 to $250 and each subsequent offense be elevated from $50 to $500 and stand as a normal traffic offense.

The governor’s two amendments include a reduction in the proposed fines to align them with penalty levels for driving-while-intoxicated and reckless driving ($125 for first offenses and $250 for subsequent offenses), as well as a requirement that the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services make training available to state and local law enforcement agencies for enforcing this new law. In releasing his statement about these amendment, Gov. McDonnell stated that “texting…can cause crashes, injuries and deaths on Virginia highways. Drivers should concentrate on their responsibility of operating a motor vehicle safely and…should avoid texting and other distractions the can take their attention away from the roadway.”

During last year’s 2012 General Assembly legislative session, Anderson had patroned a bill that simply elevated the law from a secondary to a primary offense, but the bill failed in subcommittee. Soon after returning to Woodbridge after the 2012 session, two Lake Ridge sisters approached Anderson and asked him to patron a bill during the 2013 session in the wake of the April 2012 death of their brother as the result of a texting driver.

After months of research and discussion with other Virginia legislators and lawmakers from other states, Anderson crafted and submitted his bill. He also consulted with organizations such as DRIVE SMART Virginia and the Virginia Coalition for Distraction Free Driving. He also worked with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), where he serves on the NCSL Executive Committee that governs the affairs of this national legislative organization.

In late February, Anderson’s HB 1907 passed the House with a wide vote margin of 92-4 and the Senate with a large margin of 28-12. In the House, 42 of Anderson’s colleagues on both sides of the aisle signed onto the bill as Co-Patrons, which stamped the bill with wide bipartisan support.

Janet Brookings, executive director of Richmond-based DRIVE SMART Virginia and a spokesperson for the Virginia Coalition for Distraction Free Driving, stated that “by making texting and driving a primary law, millions of Virginia citizens would take the issue seriously and obey the law.” She further said that “when this new law takes effect, the impact on traffic safety in Virginia will be monumental.”

Anderson responded by saying that “I’m pleased with the result because I received hundreds of communiqués from our Prince William neighbors supporting the bill, and only one email not supporting it. This is validated by recent polls that indicate that Virginians support measures to deter texting while driving by a 5-1 margin. I was also pleased to work in a bipartisan way with Sen. George L. Barker (D-39^th), who has done good work on this issue in previous years and carried a companion texting bill in the Senate.”

Dan Schrad, executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, observed that “law enforcement [officials] are pleased to have additional tools at their disposal that help increase traffic safety on Virginia’s roadways. We’ll now work collectively to ensure officers understand the new law and apply it evenly across the Commonwealth.”

When the General Assembly returns to Richmond on April 3^rd to consider vetoes and amendments made by Gov. McDonnell to bills sent to him by the legislature, both bodies will consider the governor’s amendments to Anderson’s HB 1907. Both Anderson and DRIVE SMART Virginia’s Janet Brooking are pleased with the governor’s amendments, and Anderson plans to stand on the House Floor and ask his colleagues to vote to accept Gov. McDonnell’s adjustments.

Said Anderson, “through the eyes of others who have lost family members to texting drivers, and my own observations while driving on a frequent and regular basis between my Prince William home and the Virginia State Capitol, I’ve seen firsthand the statewide threat posed by texters behind the wheel. I’ve seen the pain in the eyes of my Woodbridge neighbors who lost their brother to a texting driver, and my real focus has been to protect Virginia families and prevent the needless loss of life and personal injury that has resulted in the Commonwealth.” Anderson concluded by saying that “I can’t wait to stand behind Gov. McDonnell with families who have lost loved ones and watch him put pen to paper in making HB 1907 the law of the Commonwealth.”

###

Virginia Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Del. Rich Anderson

2013-03-25T09:50:00.002-04:00

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Delegate Richard L. Anderson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2013

Contact: Legislative Assistant Ryan M. Galloway

E-mail: RGalloway@house.virginia.gov

Virginia Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Del. Rich Anderson

~Awards grade of “A” for pro-business voting record during 2013 legislative session~

~Delegate to be recognized on May 8^th at Virginia Chamber Dinner in McLean~

RICHMOND – The Richmond-based Virginia Chamber of Commerce has announced that Del. Richard L. Anderson (R-Prince William) has received a grade of “A” for his strong support of Virginia’s business community during the 2013 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly. The annual session was held at the Virginia State Capitol from January 9^th to February 23^rd.

Anderson will be recognized on May 8^th by the Virginia Chamber at its annual “Chamber Board of Directors’ Reception and Legislative Awards Dinner” in Tysons Corner.

Each year, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce develops a legislative report card based on goals set by Virginia’s business community to increase job opportunities, lower the state’s unemployment rate, and invigorate economic development. In a recent press release from its Richmond headquarters, Virginia Chamber President and CEO Barry E. DuVal said that the award recognizes Anderson for his “support on initiatives that will help move Virginia forward.” DuVal further praised Anderson by stating that “your voting record [in the 2013 legislative session] indicated strong support for the business community’s priorities.”

This is the second year that the Virginia Chamber of Commerce has evaluated and awarded grades to pro-business state legislators. Anderson’s grade of “A” is the second such award he has received from Virginia’s business community and follows similar scores awarded in previous years by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce to him and other Prince William legislators.

Over the last four years as a member of the General Assembly, Anderson has supported legislation that creates private-sector jobs, strengthens the Commonwealth’s economy, and helps to maintain Virginia’s traditional low-unemployment rates and national reputation as one of the best states in the nation to do business. In addition to his activities that support the business community in Prince William County and across Virginia, Anderson is also a founding member of the House Business Development Caucus that seeks to maintain Virginia’s strong standing in the business community.

A strong supporter of the value of telecommuting commuting and telework to the business community and economy, Anderson served locally as a member of the Telework Task Force of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, he worked with local Chamber officials in late 2012 to host the first-ever Northern Virginia Telework Summit. The event brought together local business leaders, telework proponents, other state legislators, and Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade James S. Cheng to discuss and demonstrate the value of telework to Virginia’s business community. True to its mission, the NOVA Telework Summit was held entirely over the Internet, with local and statewide participants joining the discussion remotely from various locations around Virginia.

In receiving word of the Virginia Chamber’s recognition for his support of Virginia’s business community, Anderson stated that “as chief of the Asia-Pacific International Affairs Division in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in the mid-2000s, I worked with allied and friendly air forces throughout Asia to build durable relationships that would serve the mutual interests of the United States and other nations. This required me to work closely with the U.S. business and aerospace communities, which taught me about the crucial role that business plays in a vibrant economy.” Anderson further stated that “I sincerely value my work with the business community here in Prince William County and across Virginia, and I look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

Del. Rich Anderson represents Prince William County’s 51^st House District in the Virginia General Assembly and sits on four standing House committees: Finance, Transportation, General Laws, and Science and Technology. He also serves as Deputy House Majority Whip, chairs the General Assembly Military and Veteran Caucus, and chairs the Virginia Commission on Civics Education.

With Telework U.S. Government Can Hide Everywhere.

2013-03-24T09:15:00.000-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is With Telework U.S. Government Can Hide Everywhere.

I "grew up" in this world. In one assignment, we had pictures on the wall of the Soviet Generals who would like us to "go away". My focus for most of my career was "big data", analytics, information quality and sharing, and other technology issues.

In today's world of private clouds, cyber-security, and technology the requirement to colocate, creating an easy target for those who would like to do you harm, just isn't as compelling. For my friends who understand "big data", you know that more is actually hard to penetrate, and moving, distributed data is perhaps the safest.

I spent the end of my career profiting from these requirements. There are a number of lucrative venture cap, consulting, and engineering opportunities in these issues. The entrepreneurial inclined who see the requirements for brick and mortar buildings and the asphalt to get to those buildings might start thinking about broadening their portfolio to include a piece of these services.

This is a "think piece"... and I only hope to give stakeholders something to "think" about.

If you would like to learn more, go to my column With Telework U.S. Government Can Hide Everywhere.

his is my opinion based upon the facts that I have found. Alternate opinions welcome. I'm always available to join anyone over a cup of coffee who wishes to learn more. My office is the Starbucks at the corner of the Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road in Prince William County, Virginia.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

I'm a Rand Paul Republican

2013-03-19T08:13:00.005-04:00

OK... Make no mistake... I'm a Rand Paul Republican.

I truly enjoy hearing people of all flavors say, "I don't always agree with Rand Paul; however, in this case..." I am hearing it more and more. People, without realizing it, are warming to the idea that the Federal Government should simply not care or be involved in certain issues or personal decisions.

Gay marriage is an excellent issue. Paul's approach, "let’s get the government out of the marriage business" is the preferred Libertarian solution. Paul goes on to say, "I’m not for eliminating contracts between adults. I think there are ways to make the tax code more neutral, so it doesn’t mention marriage. Then we don’t have to redefine what marriage is; we just don’t have marriage in the tax code." This isn't about marriage or gay marriage, it is about public policy that simply shouldn't be.

I want to see more of this... which ironically is less public policy on things about which the Government simply shouldn't care.

I suspect we are approaching a "tipping point" where folks will realize that the Federal Government is is engaged in too many conversations about which it simply shouldn't care or involve itself. The best public policy is as little as possible.

You won't find me at local Republican Party events because I'm not so sure "we", Rand Paul Republicans, are welcome there. I have heard politicians dismiss, criticize and even insult the values we hold dear. I believe that, as the size of Government shrinks because of fiscal considerations and public awareness increases over the option of simply keeping Government out of our lives, that "we" will be the Republican Party of 2016.

Those who "get it" early will be welcome in our tent. Those who don't will become "footnotes" of what the Republican Party used to be and join John McCain and the other "wacko birds" clinging to things that contradict the small Government about which they will wax so wistfully in retirement.

I'm with Rand in 2016.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

I am happy to share my message with like minded bloggers. Anyone is welcome to republish my blog pieces if they do so in whole, with links intact, and give full credit to my byline which is: by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Why Are Your Kids Still Riding the School Bus?

2013-03-17T10:11:00.001-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Why Are Your Kids Still Riding the School Bus? We are slowly evolving into a society of lifetime learners. With access to our laptops, tablets, and smart phones, all of the knowledge of the world is at our fingertips. How many times have you heard something mentioned on TV, and simply looked it up on your iPad?

Its time for School Systems to notice what's going on, and start applying these quantum leaps in delivering knowledge to our children. Its a pragmatic course of action that will result in a more adaptable system that meets knowledge with needs, educates the workforce for the evolving requirements of the job market, and perhaps even reduces the cost of education.

I worry that just as we build roads we may not need because of telework technology and a mobile society, perhaps we are investing in brick and mortar buildings that perhaps will become artifacts of an industrial age approach to education as new methods of acquiring knowledge simply passes them by.

If you would like to learn more, go to my column Why Are Your Kids Still Riding the School Bus?

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Rhetoric Aside, Retail Politics Will Decide Supervisors Elections.

2013-03-10T09:36:00.000-04:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Rhetoric Aside, Retail Politics Will Decide Supervisors Elections I appreciate the folks who stop by and read my occasional blog posts and my column in Sunday's potomaclocal.com; however, I am under no illusion that my occasional observations will actually determine who wins local elections.

It's tough for challengers to compete with the retail political opportunities that incumbency affords one. That being said, its not impossible. Challengers need to get on radar quickly working community level issues that appeal to a broad constituency.

Politics is a "what have you done for me lately" game. If the answer is nothing, don't waste your time and money on a campaign.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

American Spring

2013-03-06T20:14:00.001-05:00

Like millions of Americans, I am watching Rand Paul's historic filibuster in defense of the Constitution. Since the horrific event of 9/11, The Executive Branch of our Government has slowly eroded the Constitutional rights of its citizens to "protect us". It all started with the Homeland Security act, the Patriot Act, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Agency... I could go on.

And now, the President of the United States considers it reasonable to kill American Citizens on United States soil without due process.

I think not.

I believe that we are watching the start of an American Spring this evening. Rand Paul is standing up for all of us saying, "Enough is enough!"

The Constitution is not "optional".

You can't ignore the stuff you don't like when its inconvenient.

This isn't about John Brennan's confirmation (the occasion of Rand Paul's filibuster), this is about the Executive Branch's reluctance to unequivocally state simply the rules of engagement for drones in the United States. This is about our right to due process, to privacy, to leave our shoes on as we go through the airport...

this is about our liberty.

This excerpt from Rand Paul's filibuster probably best sums up my sentiments,

“When I asked the president, can you kill an American on American soil, it should have been an easy answer. It’s an easy question. it should have been a resounding and unequivocal, “no.” The president’s response? He hasn’t killed anyone yet. We’re supposed to be comforted by that. The president says, I haven’t killed anyone yet. He goes on to say, and I have no intention of killing Americans. But i might. Is that enough? Are we satisfied by that? Are we so complacent with our rights that we would allow a president to say he might kill Americans? But he will judge the circumstances, he will be the sole arbiter, he will be the sole decider, he will be the executioner in chief if he sees fit. Now, some would say he would never do this. Many people give the president the — you know, they give him consideration, They say he’s a good man. I’m not arguing he’s not. what I’m arguing is that the law is there and set in place for the day when angels don’t rule government."

I think the angels left the Executive Branch of the Federal Government a long time ago.

Rand Paul has started a national conversation that perhaps will act as the tipping point to re-evaluate the slow erosion of American's constitutional protections and the bill of rights, and perhaps the start of the reversal of the onerous disregard for our personal Liberty.

This conversation won't end quickly.

Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, or an Independent I hope that you will keep this conversation going. He is filibustering for all of us.

Rand Paul started his filibuster at 11:47. As of this post, he's been talking for over eight hours. I don't know how long he will last. If you want to make history in the making... perhaps the beginning of the American Spring, you might want to watch him live on CNN.

While Rand Paul is speaking for all of us, and while he is a Republican Senator, I know from which place in his heart these comments originate. I have never been more proud to be a Libertarian.

We want our Country back.

Addendum:

Facebook is lit up with coverage of Rand Paul's filibuster. #StandWithRand and similar addresses are currently trending #1 on Twitter. Rand Paul headlined national news this evening. Many politicians on both sides of the aisle are lining up behind Rand Paul.

I will be most interested in the politicians who remain silent.

Thanks to my friend, Tom Fitzpatrick, for coining the term American Spring. I think he got that one right.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

I am happy to share my message with like minded bloggers. Anyone is welcome to republish my blog pieces if they do so in whole, with links intact, and give full credit to my byline which is: by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Woodbridge Delegate Rich Anderson Named to Sequester Commission

2013-03-04T17:37:00.002-05:00

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Delegate Richard L. Anderson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2013

Contact: Legislative Assistant Ryan M. Galloway

E-mail: RGalloway@house.virginia.gov

Woodbridge Delegate Named to Sequester Commission

~Del. Rich Anderson appointed to Commission by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell~

~Focus will be on mitigating adverse impacts of Sequestration~

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced in an Executive Order issued over the weekend that Del. Richard L. Anderson (R-Prince William) will join nine other citizens on the newly-created Virginia Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities. Anderson, a retired 30-year U. S. Air Force colonel, represents the 51^st House District in the Virginia General Assembly and serves as co-chair of the General Assembly Military and Veterans Caucus. He also serves on the Virginia Board of Veterans Services and on the Virginia War Memorial Board of Trustees.

The full text of Executive Order No. 60 can be found at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/utility/docs/20130301154934702.pdf.

Other members of the 10-member Commission include Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade James S. Cheng, Secretary of Finance Richard D. Brown, Secretary of Public Safety Marla G. Decker, Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Terrie L. Suit, Sen. Bryce E. Reeves (R-Spotsylvania), and four citizen members who have served as a General or Admiral in the armed forces of the United States.

The Commission will be chaired by recently retired U. S. Navy Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr., of Charlottesville, former commander of U. S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk.

Del. Anderson stated that “I sincerely value the opportunity to be a part of this group that will craft mitigating measures to lessen the impact of sequestration on our neighbors in Prince William County and across Virginia. Many of our fellow citizens in Occoquan, Woodbridge, Manassas, Brentsville, and Nokesville have emailed and called me that they have received notice from their employers about significant reductions in their working hours and take-home pay. I’m concerned about this in an economy that continues to limp along and is made more uncertain by frequent talk from federal officials about additional tax increases and other financial burdens on working families.”

The Commission was created immediately after the implementation of automatic federal sequestration cuts and will begin its work in the coming days. The Commission’s mission is to examine in detail the likely impact on Virginia of the defense cuts contained in the sequester. It will also focus on future Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) activities and craft the best course of action by the Commonwealth to future developments at the federal level.

Previously, Del. Anderson served on a predecessor body, the Virginia Commission on Military and National Security Facilities, which took countermeasures over the last two years to lessen the effects of a surprise announcement by the federal government to inactivate U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) in Norfolk and to reduce Northern Virginia defense contracting activity by 30 percent. As a former military officer who was assigned for four years at JFCOM Headquarters, Anderson had hands-on knowledge of the JFCOM mission and its impact on the Hampton Roads area.

Additionally, Anderson sat at one time on an Air Force BRAC planning panel at the Pentagon and is familiar with the issues the new Commission will address in future BRAC cycles.

Gov. Bob McDonnell stated “as the Governor of a Commonwealth with over 100,000 active duty military and over 800,000 veterans, long known for its important relationship with our nation’s military, the unconscionable part of these sequestration cuts is their long-term devastating impact on our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who are bravely engaged around the world.”

Anderson has asked residents of the 51^st House District to stay in close contact with him regarding the impact of sequestration on their livelihood and families. He may be reached at DelRAnderson@house.virginia.gov, at his legislative district office at 571-264-9983, or if the need is urgent, at his home phone in Woodbridge, 703-730-1380.

Del. Rich Anderson represents Prince William County’s 51^st House District in the Virginia General Assembly and sits on four standing House committees: Finance, Transportation, General Laws, and Science and Technology. He also chairs the General Assembly Military and Veteran Caucus and the Virginia Commission on Civics Education.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

2013-03-04T15:24:00.003-05:00

This week's column in potomaclocal.com is Roads are Last Century’s Answer, Telework is this Century’s Answer Its time to stop thinking in terms of Twentieth Century solutions to Twenty-First Century problems. Its a math problem. Taking people off the roads should be part of the model.

It's time to introduce a little "new math" into Virginia's transportation planning process.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Sequestration... give me a break!

2013-03-01T10:08:00.000-05:00

Sequestration hysteria is really getting out of hand. I grow weary of a President who threatens those who pay his salary unless Congress agrees to take even more of our money instead of cutting costs as Sequestration intended.

A businessman would have no problem dealing with this. Cutting anything that is customer facing is always the last choice (because... well... customers pay for everything).

You can cut meat or you can cut fat. I propose the Government cut the fat first.

Freeze promotions, cancel all conferences, close the gyms, shut down the Executive Dining Rooms, make a phone call or video conference instead of flying somewhere, cancel the contracts to water the plants, cancel all new furniture and remodeling contracts, turn in a few vehicles and don't buy new ones... I could go on.

Next, you cancel all programs for systems and resources that work just fine. Anything HR related should go first, as checks are getting cut and records are being maintained. Computer upgrades should be delayed for at least a year... or longer.

As for the State Department and DoD, all of the above plus... bring our troops home, stop arming our enemies, cancel new weapons systems built on cold war strategy, stop giving our money away through foreign aid like we are still a solvent nation, trade those big, black SUV's for Toyota Prius'.

Rag tag gorilla forces have "kicked our ass" for years (questions? Come visit the wall with me). There's something to be learned here. Put the money in Special Operations capable of living off the land (or, at least, that's what we used to be), not traditional, logistically dependent, easily targeted military.

For those of you who remember arming Afghanistan in the late 80's, you remember that we basically armed Bin Laden, and provided Al Quada with all the weapons it needed to start a militia, organize, and destroy the World Trade Center.

Now, as our Nation faces fiscal calamity and sequestration, our new Secretary of State wants to arm Al Quada in Syria. How quickly we forget. I suggest somebody smack Secretary of State John Kerry on the back of the head and shout, "What the hell are you thinking!"

When you've ran out of fat, look at the meat.

It's simple really... Congress and the White House should have started doing this last year, actually many years ago. It's not too late. The answer isn't taking more money out of the economy, its creating a Government that requires less money to operate.

Cut the fat... then I'll listen. Until then, enjoy the M&Ms on Air Force 1, Mr. President. After all, I paid for them.

Addendum: I started with a comparison to what a business would do. If the Government were run like a business, we would have fired our Chief Executive a long time ago. Slice it any way you wish, it is the Chief Executive of any organization's primary responsibility to lead that organization out of problems such as this.

It's just good business to recognize when he or she lacks the talent to do that, and find someone else.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Follow the money.

2013-02-28T09:55:00.001-05:00

I've seen a lot of things change in the past couple of years. Discretionary funds have gone away. Our budget process has become much more open and transparent. Funding Community Partners is now a competitive process using a reasonable framework for determining who may best supplement Government services. I notice our County website now puts real news on the front page (you'll find just about everything you want to know about the budget on its landing page, a good thing), and many decisions that would have went unnoticed in the past now are splashed across the front page of several local blogs.

That's a good thing.

As much as those in the McCoart Administration Building would like to dismiss blogs and our influence, we know that we are making a difference. All one has to do is look at the Arts Council funding issue, how quickly what previously would have been an unnoticed bureaucratic decision went viral, and the less than twenty-four hour reversal of that decision.

Prince William County's denial of our influence only made us more skeptical of ever trusting their "effective messaging" in the future For the record, the "right answer" (as someone who used to craft "right answers") would have been, "We listened to the people, were surprised at the response, and decided we made a mistake on this one."

I simply don't trust a Government that isn't capable of admitting when it makes a mistake.

But, i digress...

I am interested in power, money, and their relationship. My last column in potomaclocal.com correctly stated,

"It's simple really... Government is about money. How our money is spend is decided by people who show up. People who show up usually want something, and they want you to pay for it."

That's half right. To get your hands on "our money", you must first achieve elected office, or the power to spend it however you wish. Simply put, it costs a lot of money to have the power to spend lots of other people's money...

our money.

There are two flavors of money in politics:

1. Money collected by force under threat of arrest and punishment if we resist. That's the taxes and fees collected from folks like us.

2. Money freely and willingly donated by others under the assumption that perhaps they might just be able to influence how the wealth and resources of Prince William County are managed or spent.

The irony of the investment of a few to influence the wealth and property of the many always both amused and amazed me.

We will not have good Government, which I define as a Government devoted to providing the community's definition of core services at the minimum cost to that community, until we break the link between those who invest in politicians for favorable decisions and those who pay for those decisions.

Only a fool would think otherwise.

Since I'm not holding my breath for campaign contribution reform, I'll do the next best thing: share where the money comes from. The source of these data is the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). If you are not familiar with VPAP, and have an issue with how your money is spent, land use decisions, comprehensive plan amendments, or any other decision coming out of the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors... now would be a good time to check it out.

When any land use or capital improvement decision goes before the board, you might want to go to the Virginia Public Access Project and "connect a few dots" between those who pay for easy access to elected officials and the decisions those elected officials make.

VPAP lets you drill down a number of ways. The views I provided below are by industry. Searching by money in is fun because it gives names of both people and businesses. You then may google donors. you'll find a web of relationships. If you use a mind mapping tool like mind node" to "connect the dots". The results are interesting.

I share these data without comment so you may draw your own conclusions. Figuring out "the dots" isn't really rocket science.

Enjoy!

Stewart (Chairman's race) - 2009-2012

Stewart (Governor's race) - 2008-2012

Nohe - 2009-2012

Covington - 2009-2012

Caddigan - 2009-2012

Candland - 2009-2012

Jenkins - 2009-2012

Principi - 2009-2012

May - 2009-2012

All Government decisions are discretionary. When any elected official is put in the position of making a decision, one of the primary considerations is "who cares"?

Nothing says "I care" like a campaign contribution.

When given a choice of making some discretionary decision favoring someone who cares enough to invest in helping you maintain your power, and a public who is generally unaware of what is going on or simply not paying attention it's not really a tough call.

The only thing worth more than campaign contributions are votes. We absolutely own those. The cynical understand that, while votes can't be bought outright, money certainly influences how they are cast. Conventional wisdom is that unless you have $50-60K for a campaign consisting of more than one candidate, your chances of getting elected are not very good.

More is better.

Campaign advertising, bumper stickers, yard signs, and anything that advances name recognition makes a big difference. I suggest that understanding where the money is coming from to pay for campaign advertising, bumper stickers, yard signs, and anything that advances name recognition is more important.

I suspect the bloggers will be following this with great interest as we approach 2015. We will have years of past donations and decisions to map, and easily available data to correlate debate answers with behavior (both past and promised) in making our decision.

I'll be here.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC

Virginia’s Transportation Package: A Tough Call - a report from Delegate Rich Anderson

2013-02-25T14:01:00.001-05:00

Virginia’s Transportation Package: A Tough Call

February 25, 2013

Del. Richard L. Anderson

51^st House District

Virginia General Assembly

I am typing these words at my General Assembly desk in Richmond about a crucial vote on transportation that we took on Friday, February 22^nd.

This crucial vote concerned final passage of HB2313 (the House-Senate Transportation Bill originally submitted by Gov. McDonnell, amended by a House-Senate Conference Committee, and put before the House for a vote on Friday). By the time we saw the amended bill, HB2313 has changed dramatically since it left Gov. McDonnell’s desk. Although it passed by a final vote of 60-40, I voted NO on this bill, along with five other Prince William County delegates. As a Prince William delegate to the General Assembly, I feel a strong sense of accountability to our citizens and wish to explain my vote.

Despite the reality that the transportation needs of the Commonwealth require additional new funding for construction of new roadways and maintenance of existing roads, I felt that this bill levied a heavy fiscal burden on our neighbors in Prince William County. Washington’s solution to our challenges seems to be higher taxes on families and job creators, and I didn’t want to do the same in Virginia.

My reasons for my NO vote resulted from the below realities.

First, we first saw the final copy of HB2313, 109 pages of complex data, on Thursday night at 6:15pm—hours before our vote on Friday morning and without full discussion and understanding of its complexities. The bill was not posted promptly on the General Assembly website for citizens to read and make input.

Second, our citizens were hit last month with a 2% federal decrease in their take-home pay. Additionally, federal officials openly speak of federal tax increases. Sequestration and the federal fiscal cliff threaten to kills hundreds of thousands of jobs in Virginia and Prince William County. The national economy didn’t merely remain flat last quarter…it contracted. And the nation is in the midst of unprecedented fiscal uncertainty.

Third, HB2313 is a “compromise” that raises taxes and fees on Virginia families at a time when people are worried about losing their jobs or are facing a significant reduction in working hours and take-home pay. It increases taxes at the pump for cars and trucks; it increases the tax on car sales by 40%; it increases the sales tax to 6%; it increases fees on alternative fuel vehicles; it implements a high grantor tax on houses; it levies a 3% transient occupancy tax; and it depends on internet taxes that will be implemented by Washington—all without a single dollar cut in spending or an offset of another tax.

Let me be clear. I am not a legislator who will reflexively vote against a tax or fee increase if it’s truly needed—and affordable to our hardworking taxpaying citizens in Prince William County. I have also declined to sign any “no-tax pledges.” I have a high standard before I will vote for a tax or fee increase. And while I was a NO vote on this plan, I can readily vote YES on another plan that doesn’t embrace Washington ways, addresses transportation, and respects the pocketbook of our citizens.

To better understand the perspective of others, I conducted three community town hall meetings with our neighbors in January and February; personally exchanged several thousand emails with people in Prince William County; discussed the issue of taxes in hundreds of telephone calls; and met with hundreds of PWC residents visiting the State Capitol and when back home on the weekends in Prince William County. The overwhelming sentiment expressed to me was a simple “please do not raise my taxes in this economy.”

As a member of both the House Transportation Committee and House Finance Committee, I presented an alternative Transportation bill last month, on behalf of several legislators, in a committee hearing in the Capitol. The bill would have adjusted a number of taxes to raise revenue, repealed the food tax to assist those less fortunate, saved the average family of four $100 in taxes each year (as scored by the Virginia Department of Taxation), and lessened the financial impact on you and your family. Unfortunately, the House-Senate Conference Committee wrote the final plan placed before us for an up-or-down vote.

For years, Northern Virginia has sent money to Richmond without adequate return to our area. We currently get on average of 30 cents back for every dollar we send to Richmond. The final transportation plan did not fully resolve that problem, and I believe strongly that more transportation dollars must come back to our community where the gridlock exists.

In some respects, this was a tough decision. In other ways, it was easy. We received an avalanche of mail and calls from our Prince William neighbors. My colleagues and I are citizen-legislators, meaning that we are citizens first. The input of our neighbors helped shape my vote, and I believe strongly that most Prince William County residents sincerely want a transportation solution, but not one that burdens them financially.

In short, after receiving calls, letters, and emails from our neighbors, I heard their concerns, took their advice, and voted NO on a transportation plan that raises taxes on our already-overburdened neighbors in a down economy.

Serving my neighbors at home and in Richmond is a great honor, and I hope to always have their input when it comes to making decisions that affect our community. Please feel free to reach me directly at DelRAnderson@house.virginia.gov or at our Prince William County office (571-264-9983). My legislative assistant, Ryan M. Galloway, can also be reached at the same number or at RGalloway@house.virginia.gov. We look forward to seeing and serving you soon!

###

Del. Rich Anderson, a retired 30-year Air Force colonel, represents Prince William County’s 51^st House District in the Virginia General Assembly and sits on four standing House committees: Finance, Transportation, General Laws, and Science and Technology. He also chairs the General Assembly Military and Veteran Caucus and the Virginia Commission on Civics Education.

Budget Season: Speak Up Now or Suck it Up Later

2013-02-25T09:12:00.001-05:00

My weekly column in potomaclocal.com, Budget Season: Speak Up Now or Suck it Up Later. Remember what almost happened to the Arts Council? You might want to read this.

It's simple really... Government is about money. How our money is spend is decided by people who show up. People who show up usually want something, and they want you to pay for it.

If you want something... or don't want to see your money spent on something... show up.

You can't win if you don't play.

For a decent conversation, I'll buy.

by Al Alborn http://albornbiz.blogspot.com/

Contributing editor

Potomac Local Media, LLC