Governor McAuliffe Announces June as Business Appreciation Month

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND, VA - Governor McAuliffe today announced that June will be designated as Virginia’s Business Appreciation Month to ensure that the history and growth of Virginia businesses are recognized across the Commonwealth.

See the proclamation below:

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

BUSINESS APPRECIATION MONTH

WHEREAS, Virginia businesses provide a wide array of products and services to customers throughout the world, and employ nearly 4 million people throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is currently home to more than 30 Fortune 1,000 firms and more than 70 firms with annual revenues in excess of $1 billion; and

WHEREAS, Virginia ranks among the top ten states best prepared—in knowledge, innovation and internet technology—to navigate the  demands of an increasingly globalized economy; and

WHEREAS, Virginia businesses employ a diverse, high-skilled workforce—including the largest concentration of high-tech workers in the country—and generate increased economic opportunity and well-being for all Virginians; and

WHEREAS, Business Appreciation Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the essential role our thriving business community plays in contributing to a stronger, more prosperous Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terence R. McAuliffe do hereby recognize June 2014 as BUSINESS APPRECIATION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

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Virginia Partners with National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils to Bring Multi-Million Dollar Youth Fitness Campaign to Virginia

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe, First lady Dorothy McAuliffe, and Fitness Icon Jake Steinfeld Open National Fitness Challenge Nominations for Elementary and Middle Schools in Virginia

Richmond, VA –Governor Terry McAuliffe, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, and Jake Steinfeld, Chair of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils announced today their collaboration to combat childhood obesity in Virginia. Steinfeld, who has been a national leader in promoting health and wellness among children, is partnering with Virginia to bring the National Champion Schoolscampaign to the Commonwealth, which encourages innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to elementary and middle schools. The nomination process opens today atwww.natgovfit.org and will run through the end of May.  Three Virginia schools, selected by the National Foundation, will be deemed National Champion Schools and will each be awarded a $100,000 state-of-the-art Live Positively^TM Fitness Centers for their efforts. 

“The First Lady and I are honored to partner with Jake Steinfeld to bring the National Champion Schools campaign to Virginia,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “Childhood obesity is a pressing problem in Virginia as well as the rest of the country, it affects the health of our communities, and can impact our state’s economic future. This opportunity will provide our elementary and middle schools with the additional tools that they need to create innovative fitness programs.  By working together, we can prevent chronic disease, improve the lives of our young people, and ensure that our economy and communities remain strong.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our children here in Virginia,” added Mrs. McAuliffe.  “They will learn about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle in an environment of fun and fitness.  Our students need exercise to grow and develop, to achieve academically, and to thrive in the workforce.  Through this campaign, we hope to give them the opportunities they need to succeed and achieve their dreams.”

The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils program will make its way into all 50 states in the coming years.  What sets it apart from other initiatives is that it does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding.  Each fitness center is financed through a public/private sector partnership with companies like The Coca-Cola Company.  The National Foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.

“Our National Champion Schools campaign has been well received all around the country and I’m looking forward to working with Governor and Mrs. McAuliffe to make this campaign a great success in Virginia,” said Jake Steinfeld. “I’ve always said that academics and fitness go hand in hand and by giving schools the tools, we can build strong bodies and minds while boosting confidence, self-esteem, and focus in the classroom. Our children are our most precious resource and by providing them with a strong foundation in health and fitness, we can feel confident that they’ll excel beyond their wildest dreams.”

Physical education, physical activity and exercise are shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs.  In schools, studies show that physical activity and fitness improves academic achievement, increases confidence and self-esteem, reduces discipline problems, cuts absenteeism and fosters better interpersonal relationships.

For more information about the National Foundation or to download a nomination form, visitwww.natgovfit.org.

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Representatives from Across the Commonwealth Urge the General Assembly to Close the Coverage Gap

Terry McAuliffe (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Senate Finance committee had a special hearing on Tuesday to listen to the input from citizens and groups around the Commonwealth on the budget that was put forward by Governor Terry McAuliffe. Listed below is a compilation of quotes from a few of the individuals and groups that will recap the impact that closing the coverage gap will have across the state.

“I know that with an issue like healthcare or Medicaid, it’s easy to get lost in the politics of the issue and lose sight of what this is really about. This isn’t about politics AND it isn’t a partisan issue. This is about the real lives of real people who live in our community and who are struggling to deal with hardship and adversity that most people would be hard pressed to even imagine, let alone deal with in their own lives.” – Lori Piper | former business executive

“The faith community is deeply connected to people in need of health care. They are involved in faith based hospital systems, clinics and other charitable health services. People of faith help low income families when they are struggling with unforeseen illness or when illness has devastated their already limited financial resources. People of faith believe that life is precious and sacred and that individuals are called to care for one another. Healthcare access is a moral imperative. To deny access to those least among is to ignore our moral obligation. Please work toward closing the coverage gap without delay.” – Robin Gahan | Director of Programs for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

“Medicaid expansion is the right thing to do.  It will improve our population’s health, support our state’s economy, and reduce the impact on our healthcare system of caring for the uninsured.  Too many have suffered for too long without access to health insurance.  Now is the time to remedy this.” – Mark Ryan, MD and Kate Tulenko, MD | National Physicians Alliance Board of Directors Members

"To oppose the expansion of Medicaid, regardless of the facts, is to deny hard-working Virginians like me the opportunity to have health care to have a better life. Without access to quality, affordable care, I am at risk of a life of disability and dependency, when I could be living a life of independence and productivity." - Roslyn Gadley | home care provider from Alexandria, VA

"Medicaid Expansion would literally be a life-saver for me and for tens of thousands of other home care workers. We work hard caring for seniors and people with disabilities, and we love what we do. But we can't afford health insurance for ourselves and our families... As a cancer survivor, I call on the General Assembly to work with the Governor to expand Medicaid so that every Virginian can lead a long, healthy, and successful life." - Thomasine Wilson | home care provider from Richmond, VA

“It is important that you meet and understand the needs of the real people this issue affects.  That is why Governor McAuliffe has been traveling throughout the Commonwealth visiting the places these folks live.  He wanted to hear firsthand the impact of not providing coverage, either through the expansion of Medicaid or the Marketplace plan the Senate is proposing. Every day that we fail to address this issue it is costing the Commonwealth not only in terms of financial loss, but more importantly the loss of health and peace of mind for the people you took an oath to serve.  I hope we can count on you to lay politics aside and do the right thing.  Now is the time.” – Kay Crane | CEO of Piedmont Access to Health Services, Inc. (PATHS)

“So many of the people I have come into contact with as a Certified Application Counselor have been thrilled to have affordable insurance for once in their life. I cannot tell you how disheartening it is to tell someone they fall into the coverage gap and there is nothing that can be done until Virginia extends coverage to them. Please set aside politics and do the right thing for hundreds of thousands of Virginians.  Close the coverage gap!” – Robin Tyler | Certified Application Counselor with Central Virginia Health Services

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Governor McAuliffe Unveils Spring Stewardship Virginia Campaign

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Richmond, VA)— Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Stewardship Virginia, a statewide campaign to encourage and recognize voluntary activities with a tangible impact on Virginia’s natural resources, begins its twelfth spring campaign April 1. With events across the state, the spring campaign runs through May 31. There is also a fall component starting in September.

“Stewardship Virginia gives us all an opportunity to make real contributions to our natural and historic resources. Virginia’s landscapes and waterways are important for their ecological value, scenic beauty and recreational opportunities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Stewardship Virginia projects give volunteers the tools, guidance and structure to continue to enhance these valuable resources. I encourage all Virginians to get involved.”

Citizens and groups may get help from the state’s natural resource agencies. Participants in Stewardship Virginia events will receive certificates of appreciation signed by Gov. McAuliffe.

“Events will be held throughout Virginia with many opportunities for volunteerism in our parks and natural areas during Stewardship Virginia,” said Joe Elton, interim director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. “We appreciate the many Virginians who have participated to date and hope many others will join in.” DCR coordinates the campaign with help from other natural resource agencies.

Last year, over 300 projects were registered and more than 5,000 volunteers were recognized with certificates of appreciation. Miles of waterways were cleaned and thousands of pounds of trash hauled away.  Volunteers held recycling events and organized community cleanups.  Invasive species were replaced with native plants and many trails were cleared for citizens to enjoy.

Stewardship Virginia promotes waterway adoption, trail improvement, the planting of riparian buffers, invasive species control, habitat improvement and landscaping for conservation. The campaign encourages people to connect with land and water to better understand their value. Many businesses and groups across Virginia have already registered Stewardship events and provided support to promote conservation initiatives. From the friends of the Occoquan along the Potomac River, the volunteers with the Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, the Future Farmers of America  students with the Southern Virginia Botanical Gardens and the state parks friends groups like those of Smith Mountain Lake and the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park. Citizens across Virginia are making a huge difference in their communities.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to register their projects with Stewardship Virginia, making details available for those wanting to join in. For more information, including a registration packet, call 1-877-42-WATER (429-2837); in Richmond call (804) 786-5056. Visitwww.dcr.virginia.gov/stewardship/ for more information about volunteer projects and a registration form.

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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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Virginia Receives Increased Homeland Security Grant Funds

Hampton Roads and National Capital regions gain UASI funding

RICHMOND, Va. – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Virginia has received $7.4 million in Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) funds for fiscal year 2014 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a 15 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. These grants are provided to strengthen the commonwealth’s ability to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.

In addition, both the Hampton Roads and National Capital regions will receive increased funding for fiscal year 2014 as part of the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). The Hampton Roads region was identified as a high-threat, high-density urban area and will receive $1 million in renewed funding. The National Capital region will receive $53 million in UASI funding, a 2.2 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. UASI grants are provided for law enforcement and terrorism prevention and typically include training and exercises, updates to current planning and procedures, and lifecycle replacement of equipment.

“This significant increase in federal homeland security grant funding will greatly improve Virginia’s ability to keep our families, communities and economic assets safe,” said Governor McAuliffe. “As home to some of the world’s largest military installations and critical government infrastructure, Virginia is a strategic partner in national defense and homeland security. These funds are vital to us as we plan and prepare for known and unknown threats. We especially appreciate that the Hampton Roads region was added back in to the UASI program. I salute the hard work of those with Hampton Roads governments and organizations as well as state agencies that made the case and developed the documentation to gain this crucial funding for sustaining regional preparedness initiatives.”

Virginia's proposal for the federal grants is developed with input from local and state governments, nonprofit organizations and others from throughout the commonwealth. The proposal identifies statewide and regional projects that will improve Virginia's capabilities to plan for and respond to manmade and natural emergencies. Funds will be distributed to localities on a regional basis.

Further information on DHS’s preparedness grant programs is available at www.dhs.gov andhttp://www.fema.gov/grants.

Our Notes:  Looks like increased funding for the police state.  But at least it all has a nice spin and added flavor to it so it does not look that bad.  I wonder if they know the widow's son?  

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Governor McAuliffe Statement on the Retirement of Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright

education (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

RICHMOND, Va. – Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement in response to today’s announcement that Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright will retire on May 1^st, 2014:

“I want to thank Superintendent Pat Wright for her exemplary work making our education system better for Virginia’s students, educators and economy. As a product of Virginia public schools, a former public school math teacher and a statewide education leader, Pat is living proof of the opportunity our schools can offer students and educators across the Commonwealth. Few have made a greater difference in the lives of Virginians than Pat Wright has, and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure in the students and colleagues she mentored and inspired.

“I also want to thank Superintendent Wright for staying on through May 1^st as my team and I seek a qualified education leader to continue her great work. In the coming weeks we will evaluate candidates and choose a Superintendent who will work alongside Secretary Anne Holton and our entire team to strengthen our education system and prepare every Virginia student to succeed in a 21^st Century economy.”

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