Dear friends,
I want to offer an update on the brief special session held yesterday in Richmond.
Before I do, however, I want to pause and say a word about the importance of today, November 11th, Veterans day. It’s easy as we go about our daily routines to take for granted our comfort, our prosperity, and the fact that we, as citizens, can participate in our political process - that we can vote, that we can express our opinions in public, criticize wrong decisions, and demand change and improvement from our leaders.
None of that would be possible without the sacrifices that have been made, and are being made, by the dedicated men and women who lay down their lives in service to our Country. My word of caution is this; let’s not relegate our appreciation of the defenders of our great Nation to a day. Keep them in your prayers always, because we enjoy the blessings of their sacrifices every minute of every day.
Sincerely,
With Maj. Gen. Jeff Phillips at the Veterans' Day
ceremony in Leesburg this morning.
RECENT ACTIVITIES
November 10th Special Session - Don’t TOUCH that Transportation Funding!
When the legislature passed a massive transportation tax hike in 2013, it came with a legal restriction - that the money raised would be for transportation, and transportation ONLY. This week the House voted to honor that promise by passing a budget amendment that removed a chunk of funding that was erroneously appropriated in violation of that law. As you know, I opposed the tax hike, but the principle of the restriction is worth defending. I supported the measure to get rid of this spending that violated the legislature’s commitment to the people of Virginia.
Special Session Continued - “If You Like Your Plan, You Can Keep Your Plan”
As President Obama pushed hard to have his signature insurance scheme passed, that promise he (and others) repeated dozens of times remains etched in our minds. Your options might change, but hey - if you like the way things are, you can keep what you have.
To the surprise of very few, it turned out that wasn’t true for hundreds of thousands of Virginians (and millions of Americans). On November 10th, the Virginia House and Senate both passed legislation that “authorizes health carriers to offer to renew any health benefit plan that would otherwise be required to be canceled, discontinued, or terminated because it does not meet the requirements of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
This bill allows insurance companies to renew plans they were forced to cancel under Obamacare. Not all insurance companies will do it, but this bill helps make it possible if they wish to.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS!
I hope to see you at these events!
Veterans Day Program this evening
Loudoun Valley High School Veterans Club is presenting its 15th annual Veterans Day program, “Empower,” at 7 p.m.
In addition to guest speakers, there will be performances by the Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, sign language students, the Women’s Chorus and student soloists.
Loudoun Free Clinic Fundraiser:
As we debated Medicaid expansion this year, I met with the folks at the Loudoun Free Clinic to learn more about the great work they do to provide health services in our community.
Their 3rd Annual Boots Beer & BBQ fundraising event will be held on Friday, November 14, 2014 at The Stables at Bluemont Winery from 6 to 11 pm. Tickets are $85, Tables of Ten for $800. Visit their website to purchase NOW! This has been sold out for the past two years, so don't delay!! Any questions, email cbreuning@loudounfreeclinic.org.
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