Governor McAuliffe Announces Launch of Data.Virginia

English: Virginia population map based on Census 2000. See the data lineage for a description of the process. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ New portal will increase transparency, encourage innovation and enhance state operations ~

RICHMOND - Governor McAuliffe today announced the launch of Data.Virginia, a new online portal that will provide easy access to Virginia’s open data and keep Virginians informed of major initiatives that take advantage of big data.

Speaking on the new initiative, Governor McAuliffe said: “Virginia is generating more data on a daily basis than ever before. Much of that information is intended for public access, but is often buried and hard to find. With this new initiative, Virginians will have a one stop shop to get access to data from a variety of sources. That’s empowering data that can be used by  citizens to make more informed decisions, by innovators to build cutting-edge applications, and by community stakeholders to plan smarter projects.”

Examples of open datasets that will be available through the Data.Virginia portal include the Department of Education’s State Report Card on school performances, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s database of board and commission openings, and the Department of Transportation’s traffic data from across Virginia.

In addition to serving as a central repository for open data, Data.Virginia will also serve as an information clearinghouse for the Commonwealth’s  big data initiatives. Big data, with the common characteristics of volume, variety and velocity, refers to the collection and analysis of huge amounts of electronic information. Commonwealth initiatives that make use of big data include the new Virginia Longitudinal Data System, a project which makes use of a variety of education and workforce development datasets and applies analytics to produce data-driven solutions that improve student outcomes. 

Speaking on the importance of big data, Governor McAuliffe said:
“Traditionally, data has been used to solve a single problem.  Now, through big data and analytics, we can analyze large quantities of information from a variety of sources more efficiently and develop better insights and solutions to our challenges. Several Virginia universities have established big data initiatives, and we need to expand and institutionalize the use of data analytics across the Commonwealth.”

The security of personal information will remain a priority.  Electronic data held by the state is subject to federal and state laws, protecting especially sensitive data. The Commonwealth also has an extremely high-level of security in a top-rated data center with security operations that monitor network traffic 24 hours a day, every day. Tax identification, Social Security and credit card numbers and health and other personal records are protected by even more stringent security standards.

In closing, Governor McAuliffe re-emphasized the importance of Data.Virginia:
“By adopting a two-pronged approach for harnessing Commonwealth data, we will not only enhance the way we use big data internally, but we will also make it easier for our citizens to access information.  It is through initiatives such as Data.Virginia that Virginia will continue to be a nationwide leader in innovation, smarter government, and increased transparency.”

The new portal can be accessed at Data.Virginia.gov

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Governor McAuliffe Signs Caboose Budget Bill

English: Photo of the Virginia State Capitol before renovations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today after signing House Bill 5001, the Caboose Budget Bill, which funds state government through the remainder of this fiscal year:

“Today I signed a budget bill that funds state government for the remainder of the year, and proves that Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly are capable of working together to get things done for the Virginians who sent them to Richmond.

“This budget is the product of earnest negotiations between Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly, with whom I was pleased to work to ensure that a final product came to my desk that I could sign.

“This budget is a compromise – it is not perfect. Today I signed it over reservations that I have expressed to Republicans and Democrats in the legislature about spending over $300 million on a new General Assembly building at a time when some legislators continue to refuse to use our own tax dollars to close the health care coverage gap.

“As negotiations on the next biennial budget move forward, I hope those legislators will recognize the message their actions send to 400,000 Virginians who need access to health care, not a new building for 140 state legislators.

“The bill I signed today is proof that the General Assembly is capable of negotiating and passing a budget that reflects the varied values and political views of its members and their constituents. There is no reason that the House and Senate cannot bring that same approach to the biennial budget I introduced last week. The sooner the General Assembly puts politics aside and negotiates a way forward, the sooner we can end this gridlock, close the health care coverage gap and give Virginians the budget they deserve.”

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Governor McAuliffe Statement on House Republican Rejection of Proposed Budget

budget (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today following a vote by the House Appropriations Committee to “pass by indefinitely” his introduced budget, which closes the health care coverage gap and invests in Virginia state employees, teachers, sheriffs, first responders and a host of other core priorities:

“I am disappointed that House Republicans voted today to continue Washington-style gridlock instead of accepting a budget that includes a responsible proposal to bring billions of federal dollars back to Virginia to close the health care coverage gap and invest in core priorities like education and mental health.

“The budget I proposed offers a real opportunity for compromise by allowing a two-year pilot for Medicaid expansion and using the $225 million in savings we will incur over the biennium to support a 2% pay raise for state employees and teachers, provide Line of Duty funding for first responders and their families, and invest in the Virginia Retirement System.  Unfortunately, these priorities took a backseat to political ideology today, as did the 400,000 Virginians who would benefit from expanded health care. As this special session moves forward, I remain eager to work with Republicans and Democrats to end this standoff by passing a budget that funds our priorities and closes the health care coverage gap.”

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Governor McAuliffe Releases FY2015-16 Budget as Special Session Begins

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

McAuliffe budget closes health care coverage gap, invests in key priorities

Richmond, VA – As the General Assembly begins its special session today, Governor Terry McAuliffe released a two-year budget for the legislature to consider and pass in order to conclude its work for the year. The Governor’s budget is based on the budget introduced by his predecessor at the beginning of the legislative session, with 104 amendments that reflect the Governor’s priorities, including using Virginians’ own federal tax dollars to close the health care coverage gap.

“This budget is balanced and responsible, and it reflects the pressing urgency to take action to use our own tax dollars to cover up to 400,000 Virginia families over the next two years,” said Governor McAuliffe. “By accepting those dollars and realizing the hundreds of millions savings we will reap in this budget by closing the coverage gap, we will also be able to increase Virginia’s commitment to state employees, teachers, first responders, and many other essential functions of our state government.

“At the urging of Republicans in the House of Delegates, I have agreed to introduce a two-year pilot program to close the health care coverage gap so that we can provide coverage now, and reevaluate at the end of those two years. This proposal gives Virginia the flexibility to ensure that the program works for our citizens and our budget before moving forward. And I am pleased to announce that the federal government’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has advised Virginia that we can end the program without penalty if it does not serve Virginians well over those two years.

“Passing this budget, which closes the health care coverage gap and invests in our core priorities, is the right thing to do for Virginia families. I am eager to get to work with Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate to find common ground so that we can end this stalemate, pass a budget and bring our federal dollars home to help 400,000 people access care that is essential to healthy and productive lives.

“Now is the time to put politics aside and act for the good of the families we serve. Virginians have waited long enough.”

Below are highlights of the Governor’s budget:

Closing the Healthcare Coverage Gap:

ü  2-Year Pilot, with federal approval to withdraw if necessary

ü  Up to 400,000 Virginians Covered

ü  $225 Million in Net Savings

ü  Bring Our Taxpayer Dollars Back to Virginia

ü  No Permanent Obligation

New investments in the McAuliffe Budget:

ü  $100 million in the Virginia Health Reform and Innovation Fund for future healthcare costs

ü  $76 million as a reserve payment for the Virginia Retirement System

ü  2% salary increase for state employees, K-12 teachers and support personnel, college and university faculty , constitutional officers and state-supported local employees

ü  $17 million for Line of Duty Act

ü  $8.9 million for mental health

ü  $7.1 million for land conservation

ü  $7.4 million for pre-K funding

ü  $5.4 million for the cost of competing

ü  $3.2 million of “Hold Harmless” funding for schools

ü  $4.8 million for extended school year grants

ü  $5.1 million in unappropriated balance

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Invitation to Gloucester Republican Mass Meeting

Somehow We Mysteriously Got This Information and thought it was worth sharing:

We do not support any political party on this site for any reason, but when we get this kind of information, we will share it.

Hello Fellow Republicans,

 

The Gloucester County Republican Committee (GCRC) will conduct its biennial Mass Meeting as required by the Party Plan of the Republican Party of Virginia.  This meeting will occur Thursday March 13^th at Achilles Elementary School.  Check-in begins at 5 P.M. while the meeting will begin at 6:30 P.M.  All registered voters in Gloucester County may vote.  Those desiring to vote must be a Gloucester County registered voter, show ID such as a current voter registration card or valid driver’s license, and their registration as a voter will be verified at the door.

 

During the meeting we will select the 51 members of the GCRC and a new chairman, all to serve for two years, and 22 delegates to the Republican Party of Virginia State Convention.  The GCRC needs active, committed, hard-working members to be successful.  The following list of 51 candidates for election as GCRC members have clearly demonstrated their willingness to work hard to get Republicans elected.  These candidates have worked at our Republican headquarters distributing voting literature, bumper stickers and yard signs; knocking on doors of homes distributing literature and encouraging residents to register to vote and getting out the vote; driving people to the voting places and working at the polls; making phone calls; producing and placing signs in yards and along roadways; attending many meetings and conventions throughout the state at their own expense and, of course, with their monetary and in-kind contributions.  Some of these candidates are currently members of the GCRC while others are seeking to be members for the first time; the common feature among all of them is hard work and their dedication to getting Republicans elected.  Please consider voting for this slate of 51 candidates for GCRC membership.   

 

Arnold, David J.                                 King, David J.

Bayford, Brian                                   King, Sarah W.

Bayford, Dorothy D.                        Larson, Kenneth L.

Borden, Margaret J.                        Larson, Leslee E.

Bunting, Rosanne E.                        Mason, Carole P.

Bunting, Samuel C.                          May, Alice C. M.

Casanave, Jeanmarie                     Meyer, Jr., John C.

Cerny, Gay B.                                     Meyer, Laurel J.

Chaplain, Catherine B.                   Mitchell, Donald R.

Chaplain, Russell W.                        Mitchell, Judy R.

Chriscoe, Ashley C.                          Moncure, II, Henry W.         

Cookson, Ryan H.                             Morton, Christy T.

Davis, Charles W. (CW)                  Mowry, Howard L.

Drechsel, Jr., Edward R.                 Murphy, Jr., George Ross

Dunnington, Patricia L.                   Shuster, Pamela A.

Geary, Christopher                         Solada, Rebecca J.

Geary, Terry L.                                  Truscott, Alice K.                

Hedrick, Michael W.                        Truscott, Mark A.

Hurst, Sr., Lowell D.                         Walsh, John P.

Hutson, Christopher A.                  Walsh, Lorraine M.

Javorich, Shawn G.                          Warren, Jr., Darrell W.

Johnson, David N.                            Webb, George L.

Johnson, Linda D. H.                       Webb, Joyce P.

Jones, Catesby B.                             Wiesner, Gary W.

                                                                Williams, Karen B. K.

                                                                Williams, Ralph E. (Ted)

                                                                Wilson, Kevin A.

                                                               

 

 

We also must elect a new GCRC Chairman.  I recommend John P. Walsh for that position.  John has served as Chairman in the past and done a superlative job.  He is very familiar with the Party Plan of the Republican Party of Virginia and our own  by-laws as well as Robert’s Rules of Order.  He is fair to all and effectively manages debate in any discussion.

 

Thank you for your consideration of these candidates;  I look forward to seeing you at the meeting on Thursday.  And please bring a copy this note to the meeting for reference.

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Climate Change Debate: BILL NYE vs CONGRESSWOMAN MARSHA BLACKBURN

Bill Nye (Photo credit: eschipul)

Marsha Blackburn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Come on everyone.  Climate change is very real.  We have Spring, summer, fall and winter.  We also have day and night.  Isn't it cooler at night than during the day in most cases?  How can anyone argue against that?  Does man influence climate change?   The kiddie TV show guy is now a major science news guy?  Does it get any worse than that?  So yes, man influences climate change.  We are seeing it right here with Bill Nye, the science guy kiddies.  There is your influence.

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Is Obamacare REALLY killing 2M jobs?

CNN's Anderson Cooper examines claims by Republicans that Obamacare would result in the loss of two million jobs.

You know you just have to love a spin story on a spin story.  How do you discredit the opposition?  You accuse them of something.  Anything.  If you listen to this report very carefully, you quickly realize that the CNN spin story is nothing more than spin itself and that digging deeper into their own words, Obamacare is in fact ruining millions of jobs.   But not to worry.  CNN is here to tell you what you need to think.  Oh thank heaven for CNN telling us all how to think so we do not have to do that ourselves.  

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