Senator Barker said that community involvement and participation in programs such as Neighborhood Watch have helped us reduce crimes.  He will continue to enthusiastically support such programs and do what he can to help our communities.

]]> http://www.senatorbarker.com/2010/07/06/happy-fourth-of-july/feed/ http://www.senatorbarker.com/2010/06/21/career-day-at-clermont-elementary/ http://www.senatorbarker.com/2010/06/21/career-day-at-clermont-elementary/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:40:50 +0000 admin http://www.senatorbarker.com/?p=354 Last week, Sen. Barker was asked to attend Clermont Elementary’s Career Day to discuss what a State Senator does. He talked to two different groups - a group of 4th Graders and a group of 6th Graders. It was certainly surprising how much they knew about state politics.

Sen. Barker quizzed each group about how many other State Senators there are, where they conduct their business during the General Assembly Session, what they do while not in Richmond and the different services they try to provide for their constituents.

Senator George Barker

For a

Summer Solstice Celebration
To support his 2011 re-election campaign
With special guests

Senator Dick Saslaw
Senator Mary Margaret Whipple
Senator Patsy Ticer
Senator Toddy Puller
Delegate Mark Sickles

Saturday, June 19th
4 pm-6 pm
At the Home of Susie Warner
6229 Edison Drive
Alexandria, VA 22310

Platinum Sponsor: $1000 (Includes 2 tickets and special recognition at event)
Silver Sponsor: $500 (ticket and special recognition at event)
Bronze Sponsor: $250
Supporter: $100
Friend: $50
Young Democrats Price: $35

Please contact us at senatorbarker@gmail.com

or

give us a call at (703)303-1426 for tickets

Sen. Barker speaks to SALT

Social Action Linking Together(SALT) is a parish based network of persons in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Virginia trying to bring the social and economic teachings of the church to bear on public policy and legislation, especially at the local and state levels.

Recently, Sen. Barker spoke to SALT along with Sen. Dick Saslaw, Del. Charniele Herring and others.

Sen. Barker spoke about working with the McDonnell Administration, prisoner reentry programs, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and funding for health care among other topics.

You can view SALT’s report of the meeting here.

Sen. Barker appeared on WAMU’s The Kojo Nnamdi Show today. Along with analyst Tom Sherwood, Sen. Barker and Kojo discussed many issues including the recent General Assembly session and current issues facing Virginia.

Listen to it here!

On March 31st, Senator Barker moderated a panel discussion on Voting in Virginia - What’s in, What’s Out.  The program was open to the public and hosted in Manassas by the Prince William Committee of 100, which provides a non-partisan, educational forum to study essential interests, problems and goals of the people of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.

Panelists included James Alcorn, the Deputy Secretary of the Virginia State Board of Elections; Ken Willis, Executive Director of American Cilvil Liberties Union of Virginia; and 51st House District Del. Richard Anderson. Both Senator Barker and Del. Anderson  sponsored legislation on voting issues during the 2010 General Assembly Session.

Discussion included what changes are happening in Virginia’s voting laws as a result of the last General Assembly Session, Voter ID, restoration of felon’s voting rights, extension of voting hours in cases of emergency and absentee voting.

The News and Messenger ran an article on the panel discussion and you can read it here: News and Messenger story.

While Virginia is certain to see an increase in unemployment due to budget cuts, I and members of the General Assembly are also working on fiscally-neutral legislation that would continue to maintain public safety, provide for elders and the disabled, and protect couples from abuse.

In our last newsletter, I mentioned a few bills I am carrying that would serve those in the 39th District as well as all Virginians. Below is where those bills currently stand in the legislature.

• SB 208 will protect all couples from physical abuse. Virginia remains one of the few states that do not extend protective orders to those in dating relationships; this bill would do just that. This bill has been referred to the Crime Commission and will be heard next year.
• SB 229 will build on a precedent set to protect drivers on Virginia’s highways and will require all passengers regardless of their age to wear a seatbelt while driving. This bill, I am pleased to say, passed the Senate and will go onto the House.
• SJ 97 would give localities the authority to determine how they will grant property tax relief for citizens 65 and older as well as for the disabled by amending the Constitution of Virginia. This bill passed the Senate unanimously.

Below are a couple of others bill I am also proud to be carrying:

• SB 735 is a bill that was inspired by a student at George Mason University who serves in the North Carolina National Guard and was denied in-state tuition because he was stationed in North Carolina and paid taxes there despite being a Virginia taxpayer, licensed driver, and resident. This bill will provide in-state tuition for anyone who met the requirements for in-state tuition before being called to active duty in the National Guard of another state. This bill passed its first reading in the Senate.
• SB 209 deals with the International Baccalaureate program that is offered in many of Virginia’s high schools. This bill would require public universities to grant undergraduate credit(s) to entering freshman students who have completed one or more IB or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This bill also passed its first reading in the Senate.

All of these bills have something in common. While this year’s budget cuts are at the center of this year’s session, the bills I am carrying are a reminder that there is much we can do that does not affect the budget that still serve southern Fairfax, Prince William, and ultimately, all of Virginia better. I believe these bills are not only the right thing to do, but can provide protection for drivers, comfort to all couples, benefits to elders and the disabled who need them as well as to students who earn them. It is the least state government can do during these very difficult times. While the budget crisis Virginia faces seems relentless, I can absolutely assure you that Virginia will prosper again.

Last week, Senator Barker visited the Arc of Virginia for Virginians with mental disabilities at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond. There, he emphasized his strong support for those with intellectual disabilities and ensured that they would be treated fairly during this legislative session.

“People say I represent Fairfax and Prince William counties, but I represent all of you.”