Saturday, October 5, 2013

Anti Federalist Papers No. 21 Why The Articles Failed

This essay is composed of excerpts from “CENTINEL” letters appearing in the (Philadelphia) Independent Gazetteer, October 5 and November 30, 1787.

That the present confederation is inadequate to the objects of the union, seems to be universally allowed. The only question is, what additional powers are wanting to give due energy to the federal government? We should, however, be careful, in forming our opinion on this subject, not to impute the temporary and extraordinary difficulties that have hitherto impeded the execution of the confederation, to defects in the system itself. For years past, the harpies of power have been industriously inculcating the idea that all our difficulties proceed from the impotency of Congress, and have at length succeeded to give to this sentiment almost universal currency and belief.

The devastations, losses and burdens occasioned by the late war; the excessive importations of foreign merchandise and luxuries, which have drained the country of its specie and involved it in debt, are all overlooked, and the inadequacy of the powers of the present confederation is erroneously supposed to be the only cause of our difficulties. Hence persons of every description are revelling in the anticipation of the halcyon days consequent on the establishment of the new constitution. What gross deception and fatal delusion! Although very considerable benefit might be derived from strengthening the hands of Congress, so as to enable them to regulate commerce, and counteract the adverse restrictions of other nations, which would meet with the concurrence of all persons; yet this benefit is accompanied in the new constitution with the scourge of despotic power . . .

Read the rest below;



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Governor McDonnell Announces 15.7 Percent Increase in Film Industry Employment in Virginia

Tom Hanks
Cover of Tom Hanks
New Report Finds For Every Dollar Invested in Bringing Productions to Commonwealth, $11.80 Returned to State Economy
Total Economic Impact of 11 Recent Projects in State: $139.1 Million

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced a 15.7% increase in employment in the Virginia film industry. The data comes from the release of the Economic Impact of Major Film and Television Productions Shot in Virginia Between 2011 and 2013 report by Magnum EconomicsThe report details the impact of the state’s film incentive program, enhanced in 2010 to attract film and television productions to the Commonwealth. Virginia’s program uniquely combines a commonly used film tax credit with the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund. By combining these tools, the state effort has created jobs, added revenue and delivered international advertising for Virginia.

            The report concludes that eleven projects received $11.8 million in incentives and spent $66.4 million in the state – generating a total economic impact of $139.1 million. The projects included Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, the documentary dramas Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy for the National Geographic ChannelCaptain Phillips starring Tom Hanks for Sony Pictures and television pilots Company Town for CBS and Turn for AMC, among others.  The report further concludes the benefit/cost ratio of the incentive investment was 11.8 to 1; meaning for every incentive dollar provided, $11.80 was returned to Virginia’s economy.  

            Governor McDonnell commented, “Our administration has been committed to helping the private sector create new jobs in the Commonwealth, and the film industry is a success story in this effort.  Since we increased funding in the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund and enacted tax credit legislation, employment in the Virginia film industry has increased 15.7 percent, after a previous decline of 9.5 percent.  These numbers demonstrate the kind of positive results a targeted film incentive program can have for Virginia.”

            Film Office Director Andy Edmunds noted, “11.8 to 1 is a superb value for Virginians, but that does not even tell the whole story. Added-value we have uniquely incorporated into our incentive program is buying advertising for Virginia as a tourism destination. Killing Lincoln for example produced and broadcast a commercial promoting the Commonwealth that was seen in over 170 countries.”

            The study further reports significant collateral contributions made by the film industry in Virginia. The industry significantly benefits small businesses having an average of seven employees.  Film jobs provide some of the highest wages in the state with an average weekly salary of $1,277.00, which is 23 percent above the average weekly wage for all other industries.  There are currently 32 public and private colleges and universities in Virginia providing film-related education.  The growth in the state’s film industry provides graduates from these programs with the opportunity to stay in the state and work, rather than relocating to other more active areas.  Finally, a healthy and thriving film industry has a strong positive impact on travel and tourism, as has been demonstrated in Virginia with such popular film and television projects as Lincoln, Killing Lincolnand HBO’s John Adams.

            The film industry in Virginia plays a significant role in the state’s economy. In 2011, total economic impact of the film and television industry in Virginia was $394.4 million, a 14.5 percent increase over 2010.  In addition, 3,817 jobs were attributed to the film industry in 2011, up from 2,651 jobs in 2010. 

            For more information about Virginia’s film industry, visit the Virginia Film Office website at FilmVirginia.org.
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Tax Holiday for Energy-Efficient Appliances Returns to Virginia October 11-14

Look for this logo when considering your new r...
Look for this logo when considering your new roofing materials (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~ It’s a great time to replace old, inefficient washers, AC units, etc. ~

RICHMOND – If your old appliances are on their last legs, it’s a great time to replace them with energy-efficient products while saving some money.  Virginia’s seventh Energy Star and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday returns Friday, Oct. 11, and lasts through Monday, Oct. 14.

Energy Star and WaterSense products are better for the environment, and have the added benefit of lowering your home’s energy bills.

Each qualifying product must cost $2,500 or less, have either an Energy Star or WaterSense label affixed, and be purchased for personal or noncommercial use.  Qualifying Energy Star products include air conditioners, ceiling fans, washing machines, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, refrigerators and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). WaterSense-labeled bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories, toilets, showerheads, urinals and landscape irrigation controllers will also be tax-exempt. Certain used Energy Star and WaterSense items will also qualify for tax-free status during the four-day exemption period.

“If there’s one thing most of us can relate to this time of year, it’s a desire to lower our energy bills,” said Governor Bob McDonnell.  “Not only is it a good way to save some money, it’s also good for the environment.  For the past several years, Virginians have had the opportunity to save money by replacing their old, outdated appliances with Energy Star or WaterSense products. Even if you’re not in the market for new appliances, everyone needs light bulbs – and CFLs are included in the holiday. I urge everyone who needs these products to go out and take advantage of this long money-saving weekend.”

The Department of Taxation has posted guidelines, frequently asked questions, and a list of approved Energy Star and WaterSense items on its website at tax.virginia.gov.

Online purchases of qualifying Energy Star and WaterSense products will also be exempt from the sales tax as long as the orders are placed during the Oct. 11-14 exemption period and the sellers have the items available for immediate shipment.

In addition to exempting certain Energy Star and WaterSense products from the sales tax during the four-day tax holiday, retailers may also offer non-exempt merchandise sales-tax free.  Retailers who choose to do this must pay the tax themselves to the Department of Taxation.
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Governor McDonnell Announces Board Appointments

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at...
Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell; Photo by Gage Skidmore . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced appointments to three Virginia boards. Further announcements regarding additional appointments in the McDonnell administration will continue to be made in the months ahead.



Advisory Board on Midwifery
·         Kim Lane, CPM, LM of Charlottesville, Certified Professional Midwife, Licensed Midwife [VA], Primary Midwife at The Birthing Place

Board of Social Services
·         Danny TK Avula, MD, MPH of Richmond, Physician/Deputy Director at Richmond City Health District
·         Willie T. Greene, Sr.* of Galax, self-employed Safety Consultant and Vice Mayor of Galax
·         Josie Webster of Richmond, Vice President of the Virginia Council for Private Education

Litter Control and Recycling Fund Advisory Board
·         Larry (Buddy) Buckner of Lorton, Vice President and Secretary of Service Distributing, Inc.


*Denotes re-appointment
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Virginia SAT Scores Rise as Nation’s Fall

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at...
Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Achievement of Virginia Students Increases On All Three Components of Leading College-Entrance Exam

RICHMOND – Virginia’s 2013 public school graduates achieved significant gains and outperformed their peers nationwide on the SAT college-admissions test, according to results released today by the College Board. Average scores for Virginia public school graduates rose four points in critical reading, one point in mathematics and two points in writing. Among public school students nationwide, achievement was flat in reading, and dropped two points in mathematics and one point in writing.
                  
            Speaking about Virginia students’ performance on the SAT college-admissions test, Governor Bob McDonnell commented, “Most Virginia high schools are doing a great job preparing our students for the college entrance exams.  While nationwide test scores showed no growth, this year we saw in Virginia impressively high marks on every section of the SAT.  This is due to the rigorous standards we hold our students too, and the high-quality classroom instruction by our teachers.”

Graduating seniors in Virginia achieved at significantly higher levels than public school students nationwide on all three SAT subsections:
·         The average Virginia public school reading score of 512 is 21 points higher.
·         The average Virginia public school mathematics score of 511 is eight points higher.
·         The average Virginia public school writing score of 494 is 14 points higher.

2013 SAT Virginia Public School Mean Scores
Group
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing
Virginia
Nation
Virginia
Nation
Virginia
Nation
All Public School Students
512
491
511
503
494
480
American Indian
502
477
492
481
477
456
Asian
546
523
584
574
538
520
Black
439
426
431
425
422
412
Hispanic
491
445
490
457
474
437
White
537
522
533
531
517
508

“Virginia teachers at all grade levels should take pride in the improving performance of our graduating seniors on the SAT,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said. “The long-term trend on the SAT is up as students are challenged by more rigorous standards as they advance through elementary and middle grades to high school, and ultimately graduate better prepared for their first year of college or the work force.”

“The message in the 2013 SAT results is clear: Virginia students continue to make progress under the Standards of Learning program and the college- and career-ready expectations introduced during the past five years,” Board of Education President David M. Foster said. “I am particularly gratified by the progress in narrowing achievement gaps, as Virginia’s public school students outperformed their counterparts nationally in every demographic subgroup.”

Twenty-nine percent of the Virginia public school SAT takers were members of student subgroups — black, Hispanic and American Indian — historically underrepresented in higher education. Hispanic participation increased by seven percent compared with 2012.

Black 2013 Virginia public school graduates narrowed the achievement gap in all three SAT subject areas by achieving larger gains than public school students overall.  The average black score in critical reading increased seven points to 439.  The average black score in mathematics increased four points to 431.  The average black score in writing increased five points to 422.

Hispanic Virginia public school graduates achieved an average of 491 in critical reading, a five-point increase compared with 2012. Their average score of 490 in mathematics represented a one-point improvement, and their 474 average in writing marked no change from 2012.

A total of 53,072 public school seniors in the state took the SAT — a slight decrease in participation over the previous year’s 53,806 public school participants. In all, 67 percent of the state’s public school graduates and 71 percent of graduating seniors overall took the SAT in 2013.

Forty-five percent of Virginia’s 2013 public school SAT takers and 46 percent of all SAT takers in the commonwealth achieved the College Board’s College- and Career-Readiness Benchmark. The benchmark score of 1550 (critical reading, mathematics and writing sections combined) indicates a 65-percent likelihood of achieving a B-minus grade-point average or higher during the first year of college. Nationwide, 43 percent of SAT takers met the readiness standard.

Average achievement of all Virginia high school seniors — including private and home-schooled students — increased six points in reading, two points in mathematics and three points in writing.  Virginia’s all-student average of 516 in reading is 20 points higher than the national all-student average of 496.  The commonwealth’s all-student average of 514 in mathematics is equal to the national all-student average.  Virginia’s all-student average writing score of 498 is ten points higher than the national average.

2013 SAT Virginia All-Student Mean Scores
Group
Critical Reading
Mathematics
Writing
Virginia
Nation
Virginia
Nation
Virginia
Nation
All Students
516
496
514
514
498
488
American Indian
505
480
492
486
480
461
Asian
540
521
587
597
535
527
Black
440
431
432
429
424
418
Hispanic
496
450
492
461
479
443
White
540
527
534
534
521
515

While the number of Virginia students taking the rival ACT is increasing, the SAT remains the dominant college-entrance examination in Virginia.

The College Board also reported that the number of Virginia public school students who took at least one Advanced Placement (AP) examination during their high school career increased by 1.1 percent this year, and the number of tests taken increased by 2.6 percent.

The number of AP examinations taken by 2013 public school graduates that qualified for college credit increased by 2.8 percent. Of the 136,662 AP tests taken by Virginia public school students, 82,420, or 60.3 percent, earned a grade of 3 or higher.

The College Board’s February 2013 Advanced Placement Report to the Nation ranked Virginia fifth in the nation in achievement on AP examinations. The College Board will use the AP data released today to update its state rankings early next year.
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