Perfect Example of Why Virginia Dems Absolutely MUST Vote this November!

You know how a lot of Democrats love to vote in presidential and "federal" elections, but skip the local elections where, arguably, their vote matters a gazillion times more? Well, 2015 in Virginia epitomizes that situation, with turnout likely to be extremely low (in the 20-30 percent range?), despite the fact that the ENTIRE Virginia General Assembly is on the ballot, as are many important local offices, such as the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. For instance, in the Mt. Vernon magisterial district of Fairfax County, Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D) is retiring after many years of service, which means that there is an open seat and a competitive race to succeed him.On the Republican side, it looks like their candidate will be Jane Gandee, who as you can see from the invitation below, was on the "Host Committee" for a reception in support of one of the most virulent, bigoted extremists in American politics - E.W. Jackson - and featuring another bigoted extremist - Allen West - as a "special guest." Can you imagine the nightmare of Jackson/West-supporting Gandee replacing the excellent, progressive Hyland on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors? Well, as unlikely as you might think that is in a generally "blue" part of Fairfax County, it's possible if Democrats don't turn out this November and Teapublicans do (don't believe it; see here and note that Sharon Bulova actually LOST Mt. Vernon, by nearly 200 votes, in a 2009 special election!).  So...make sure you vote this November, and well before then, if you can get involved in any way to help elect Democrats, please do!

Alexandria Democratic Committee Mayoral, 45th District Straw Poll Results

The Alexandria Democratic Committee held a straw poll this evening at Port City Brewing for mayor and 45th House of Delegates district. The results were...For mayor: Kerry Donley 57, Bill Euille 46, Alison Silberberg 30; for the 45th House of Delegates district: Clarence Tong 48, Julie Jakopic 39, Craig Fifer 20, Mark Levine 18, Larry Altenburg 7.  These should be two fascinating races to watch in the next few weeks!

Video: Mark Levine Kicks Off His Campaign for Virginia House of Delegates

This afternoon, I attended Mark Levine's kickoff for the 45th House of Delegates district (the seat is being vacated by Del. Rob Krupicka) in Old Town Alexandria. I'm not supporting a candidate in this race at this time (the other candidates are Craig Fifer, Julie Jakopic, Clarence Tong and Larry Altenburg), but I may decide to do so in coming weeks, once I read everyone's interview questions and possibly see more of their public appearances. For now, though, here's some video from Mark Levine's event this afternoon, which was attended by probably 75-100 people (including former 8th CD Democratic candidate Bruce Shuttleworth and Alexandria City Council member John Chapman).Other than Mark Levine himself, speakers included local Democratic activist Paul Friedman, Richard Rosendall of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance, Joe Geraghty of the Close Up Foundation, and victims advocate Clarisa Odullo. See below and in the comments section.

Video: Jim Moran, Toddy Puller, Jeff McKay Speak at Joint Scott Surovell/Paul Krizek Office Opening

Earlier today, State Senate Candidate Scott Surovell (D) and House of Delegates Candidate Paul Krizek (D) hosted their campaign headquarters office opening with  a nice crowd, plus a bunch of special guests. Those included former Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia State Senator Toddy Puller, Fairfax County Board member Jeff McKay, Fairfax County School Board member Ilryong Moon, and several others. Here's some video, starting with Jim Moran introducing his former staffer Paul Krizek, who he's strongly supporting (as am I) to succeed Scott Surovell in the Virginia House of Delegates. More videos are in the comments section.

Video: Bob Marshall Rants Against Women's Health Clinics; Atif Qarni, Brian Devine Speak in Support

The following video is from the Manassas City Council meeting on Monday, March 16, in which dozens of speakers expressed their opinions about zoning requirements for women's health and reproductive clinics in Manassas City. Among the speakers was our old friend Del. "Sideshow Bob" Marshall (R-Manassas), who claimed that women's health and reproductive clinics should be treated more harshly than other medical facilities, because "no other business routinely leaves half of the persons who enter the premises unable to leave." Marshall also claimed that harassment of women's health clinics by anti-abortion protestors reflects "established rights and legitimate concerns of communities," and justifies regulating women's health clinics more strictly. Seriously. Yeah, I know, the guy's an extremist, but still...For his part, Democratic State Senate candidate Atif Qarni, who barely lost an election to "Sideshow Bob" in 2013, argued (correctly) that blatantly "attack[ing] women's health clinics and "suppress women's rights" is "not good for business." Instead, Qarni asserted (again correctly) that Manassas City should be working to create an open and welcoming culture of the city." P.S. See the "flip" for video of Progress Virginia's Brian Devine, who argued that the "current zoning update is still an attack on women's health, same as it was in January of last year." Devine further argued that singling out women's health clinics for stricter zoning treatment is "discriminatory towards women's health centers that provide crucial preventitive care, birth control, STD and cancer screenings, and safe and legal abortion." Devine urged that "Manassas zoning regulations be based on science and prioritize medicine over politics," but sadly, "today they still are not."

lowkell :: Video: Bob Marshall Rants Against Women's Health Clinics; Atif Qarni, Brian Devine Speak in Support

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1. Janice from NARAL Virginia
2. Manassas Dems Chair EJ Scott

Dominion's gamble on gas looks risky for ratepayers

Dominion Resources and its regulated subsidiary, Dominion Virginia Power, are gambling big on natural gas. But while the utility giant will be a winner if gas prices stay low over the next 20 years, the risk of losing this bet is very real-and the risk is being borne disproportionately by Virginia consumers.Ever since the shale gas boom sent natural gas prices into a tailspin beginning in 2008, Dominion has increasingly been putting its chips into gas. Its Virginia subsidiary just completed a 1,329 megawatt (MW) natural gas plant in Warren County, began construction last year on a 1,358 MW gas plant in Brunswick County, and last month announced plans for a 1,600 MW plant in Greenville County, to be operational in 2019. Virginia ratepayers will foot the bill for construction costs, plus the cost of operating and fueling these mammoth plants for decades to come. But while Virginians tend to think of Dominion as an electricity provider, its bigger business line is in natural gas transmission and storage. According to the Dominion website, its subsidiary Dominion Transmission, Inc. maintains 7,800 miles of pipeline in six states and operates what it says is one of the largest underground natural gas storage facilities. Another subsidiary operates 1,500 miles of pipeline in South Carolina and Georgia. The company is moving aggressively to add and upgrade compressor stations and build additional pipeline capacity in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It is also angling to add a massive 42-inch diameter, 550-mile gas pipeline to run from West Virginia through Virginia to the coast in North Carolina. Promising a vast new supply of cheap fracked gas for industrial users, Dominion has won the support of lawmakers like Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe while galvanizing opposition from landowners and environmentalists. Meanwhile, Dominion has another game afoot, with plans to begin exporting liquefied natural gas from its Cove Point, Maryland facility. Upgrading the facility will cost the company $3.8 billion, and running the liquefaction facility will require 240 MW of power (using more natural gas). Natural gas is so much more expensive in foreign markets that Dominion considers the gamble worthwhile, even as it cites a U.S. Energy Information Administration study for the proposition that little or no natural gas would be exported if the U.S. price "increases much above current expectations."

Video: UMW Students Forcibly Removed & Arrested During Peaceful Sit-In for Fossil Fuel Divestment

From the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN):FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - A 21-day, peaceful student sit-in for fossil fuel divestment at the University of Mary Washington was forcibly ended Wednesday night after university officials called in the state police to evict the students. Over 20 students with the group Divest UMW were forcibly removed from an administrative office, and two students and one community member were arrested and charged with trespassing. Video of the arrests is available from a Free Lance-Star reporter who was on the scene. The Divest UMW sit-in began three weeks ago after the university's Board of Visitors rejected-without any deliberation or discussion-students' simple proposal to establish a subcommittee to study the issue of divesting their endowment from fossil fuels. Today, the university's Board of Visitors will formally meet on campus for the first time since the student sit-in began, and students are holding a march and "Rally for Student Voice" in response starting at 3:00 p.m. (Follow @DivestUMW on Twitter for updates.) As reported by the Free Lance-Star, board members appeared divided on the issue during a meeting held on campus yesterday to discuss approval of minutes from the March meeting in which Rector Holly Cuellar dismissed the students' proposal. Member Carlos del Toro reportedly said, "I, as one member of this board, think additional recommendations should be made considering divestment. I believe there needs to be further discussion. I believe I am not alone in this opinion." Drew Gallagher, Campus Organizer at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, had the following statement in response to the forcible eviction and arrest of students: "We're disappointed that University of Mary Washington officials resorted to calling in the state police to end a 21-day, peaceful sit-in for fossil fuel divestment. These students have shown remarkable leadership in their fight to remove morally unacceptable investments in the fossil fuel industry from their university's endowment. We need this same leadership from school officials and the Board of Visitors. Restricting free speech and assembly will not solve the climate crisis. We urge UMW officials to drop the charges against their students, and work with them for climate solutions." "Students from across the country understand the severity of the climate crisis, and are leading the way in demanding solutions. So far, over 20 colleges and universities across the country have stood with students and pledged to divest from the fossil fuel companies wrecking their future. University of Mary Washington administrators are facing growing protests because, like those at Harvard, Tulane, the University of Colorado, Yale, and Swarthmore, they have so far stood on the wrong side of history. By ignoring the voices of their students on fossil fuel divestment, University of Mary Washington officials are failing to heed the warnings of scientists-including those on their own campus."

Blue Virginia 45th HoD Dem Candidate Interviews: Clarence Tong

On April 8, I sent Blue Virginia interview questions to all Democratic candidates running for the 45th House of Delegates district (Alexandria, south Arlington) seat being vacated by Del. Rob Krupicka. The candidates are Larry Altenburg, Craig Fifer, Julie Jakopic, Mark Levine and Clarence Tong. I told the candidates that I'd post their interviews in the order I received them. The first one I received back, on Monday, was from Larry Altenburg. Earlier this evening, I received responses from Clarence Tong - thanks! As soon as I receive the remaining candidates' answers, I'll post them. Finally, please note that the primary for this nomination will take place on June 9, so if you're a Democrat who lives in the 45th, make sure you vote!1. Tell us a bit about yourself, and specifically, what in your background and/or temperament makes you the best qualified of the Democratic candidates to represent the 45th House of Delegates district in Richmond.   I am running for Delegate because I strongly believe in and have dedicated my career to public service. I served as a staffer on Capitol Hill, later became an Obama appointee at the Department of Energy, and currently work as a legislative advocate for the Environmental Defense Fund before our home state Senators on climate and other environmental issues. My wife Alice and I have made a home in the City of Alexandria and have worked to serve our great community. I was elected Chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, appointed to be a Member of the City's Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee (BFAAC), and selected to represent my neighbors on the Board of the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association (NOTICe). I hope to serve our community in a different capacity, as your representative in the Virginia House of Delegates. I bring a strong background in the legislative process, as well as experience with the complexities of the budget process, and believe that I will be the best advocate for the priorities of the 45th District. 2. What three issues are you most passionate about and why?  What specifically have you done to further those issues? What would be the first bill you'd introduce in the House of Delegates? My campaign is based on the idea that all Virginians should have a fair shot. Whether it is access to affordable healthcare, a responsible energy future good for our environment and our economy, or ensuring that all Virginians have access to high quality educational opportunities, I will fight in Richmond to protect our Democratic values and represent the priorities of Northern Virginians.

Interesting debate, nice job by the YDs and by moderator Josh Katcher. We'll start off with the "Libby Garvey question," because it got a bunch of "ooohs" from the audience, then post the other videos in the comments section...P.S. I actually strongly agree with Scott McCaffrey's analysis: "Dodgeball appeared to be the sport of choice as the six Democratic County Board candidates squared off April 15 in their first debate of the season. Specifics were hard to come by, especially when contenders were asked how they would mediate increasingly contentious community battles over allocation of limited county-government resources."

Breaking: UMW Threatens Police Action Against Students Demanding Fossil Fuel Divestment

Click on the image to "embiggen." As for UMW, how about they just divest from planet-killing fossil fuels instead of acting like a bunch of goons towards their own students, especially when those students are on the right side of history?