What Tim Kaine Did This Summer

Editorial comment: Sounds like fun!

"

Dear friend,

Traveling our Commonwealth and meeting Virginians has always been my favorite part of my job, and I’m grateful for the opportunities to travel throughout Virginia that this year has offered me so far. This spring, I had many insightful meetings, including a visit with dentists and patients at the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Clinic in Abingdon and a meeting with Roanoke County and Appalachian Trail stakeholders to discuss funding I’m working to secure for McAfee Knob. As Congress enters a busy work period ahead, I’m reflecting on the great travels I had in August to meet with more Virginians, celebrate investments we’re making across the Commonwealth, and learn more about how I can support our communities.

I kicked my travels off in Henrico to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act becoming law. The Inflation Reduction Act, which I voted for, passed the Senate by one vote. Last month, the Biden-Harris Administration announced lower prices for the first ten drugs that were selected for Medicare price negotiation; these prices will go into effect starting January 1, 2026. This will save older Americans $1.5 billion and the federal budget $6 billion in the first year of implementation alone. It was great to hear from Virginians about how the law has benefited them and made it easier for them to get the health care they need.

Then, I traveled to Winchester where I toured Blue Ridge Independence at Home to learn more about how $561,000 in federal funding I secured is going to expand access to high-quality care for seniors under a new Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly that opened this month.

I also visited Carmeuse Winchester Operations to learn more about their work and discuss how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I helped pass, is accelerating their operations as a major supplier of vital materials used to build roads, bridges, tunnels, rail, and other public works.

Later in the month, I traveled to Hampton Roads where I toured the Virginia Beach Emergency Operations Center to learn more about how they’re using over $1.4 million in federal funds I secured for technology upgrades that will help keep Virginians safe. 

Then, I visited Neighborhood in Chesapeake with Congressman Bobby Scott and participated in a roundtable discussion with Neighborhood’s leadership and program graduates to talk about how they are equipping individuals with the necessary skills to be successful and get good-paying jobs. I secured $275,000 in federal funding to expand Neighborhood’s Career & Community Development Program.

From there, I headed to Phlow Corp. in Petersburg with Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. Together, we toured the pharmaceutical manufacturing plant and received an update on Phlow’s work to manufacture critical medicines and boost the supply chain. Phlow is part of the Virginia Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Cluster, and 10 years ago, its site was an empty field. But because of investments we’ve made in Congress and federal funding I’ve secured, Petersburg is now the hub of pharmaceutical innovation. I’ve worked to build central Virginia as a biotech hub since I was Mayor of Richmond, so it’s particularly exciting to see our region taking the lead in producing affordable lifesaving medicines.

I also visited Richard Bland College in South Prince George to learn more about the college’s Guided Pathways for Success program, which I secured federal funding for, to support students. It was so great to meet with these young leaders, and I’m confident the future is bright with great students entering our workforce!

Next up, I held a roundtable at Healthy Generations Area Agency on Aging in Fredericksburg to talk about how the Inflation Reduction Act will benefit our nation’s seniors, including by capping the costs of insulin at $35 per month for Americans on Medicare. I was also able to share how the Inflation Reduction Act will cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 per year for Americans on Medicare starting in 2026.

My next stop was a visit to the Child Development Center (CDC) South at Marine Corps Base Quantico to meet with CDC staff and parents to discuss child care needs and staffing shortages. Access to child care is critical to military readiness, and we need to do more to ensure servicemembers have access to the care they need. I will continue to advocate for federal funding, including $8.2 million in congressionally directed spending as part of the Senate's draft Fiscal Year 2025 government funding bills, to support a new CDC on base. I’ll also keep working to address workforce shortages and pass my bipartisan bill to make child care more affordable.

To wrap up the month, I traveled north to visit Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in Manassas to hear from students about how the college is using federal funding I secured to train them for jobs in the chips and technology industries. Legislation we passed in Congress, including the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, is creating new jobs, and we need to make sure we have the workforce to fill these positions. Workforce programs like this one at NOVA are going to be critical to doing that.

Lastly, I met with Korean Americans in Centreville. Many families were tragically torn apart during the Korean War, and they have been unable to reunite with their loved ones in over seventy years. I’m grateful to the Korean Americans who shared their stories about these heartbreaking separations, and I will keep pushing to pass my bipartisan Divided Families National Registry Act to help these families reunite after many decades.

Traveling our beautiful Commonwealth and meeting Virginians is my favorite part of this job, and I’m so grateful for the time and insights shared with me over the past month. I look forward to keeping in touch and hearing about the issues that matter most to you. If you’d like to receive updates on my work in the U.S. Senate, sign up here to receive my newsletters and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Sincerely,

[that nice signature graphic Google doesn't like]

Tim Kaine

" 

Tim Kaine Seeks More Federal Funding

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA):

"

Dear friend,

As Senators, it's our job to represent our states and do everything we can at the federal level to ensure they get the support they need. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, state and local governments are seeing revenue plummet, putting their programs and services at risk. In the legislation we've passed so far, we've secured $3.3 billion in relief funding for Virginia and its localities, but it's not enough.

I'm working to make sure the next legislative package includes additional federal support to ensure that critical needs for health care, emergency services, and schools in Virginia are met. If we don't provide relief, local governments will likely be forced to lay off critical personnel, including first responders.

One thing is for certain: we can't afford to lose more jobs in Virginia. That's why we should give state and local governments the flexible dollars they need to prevent layoffs and combat the coronavirus in their communities. I'll keep fighting tooth and nail to make sure our cities and counties receive federal funding to address the devastating effects of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

" [nice signature graphic that Google doesn't like: Tim Kaine]

Editorial Comment: Meh. I think lifting the lockdown and putting private employees back to work should come before any other demands for federal funding...even my own claim for the handout check as punitive damages. Y'know, between writing and bookselling my income is still well below $12,000 per year...so the lockdown has put an end to the bookselling? On half what I made last year I'm supposed to eat? I'd like to see Governor Northam get through a year on my income!

As mentioned in this morning's post (the Palinode, on your right) I'd like to see schools and workplaces adopt healthier policies to reduce the spread of all infections. There are people who could die from exposure to silly little summer colds and streppy-bugs and rhinovirus, too. I've been saying for years that all of us should adopt rules of ethics and etiquette that protect those people...without dragging the economy down into socialism.

Tim Kaine on Coronavirus

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA):

"

Dear friend,

This week, my colleagues and I called on the Trump Administration to provide details on their preparedness and response plans to protect students, teachers, school staff, and American workers from the threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  We must work together to ensure that school districts, institutions of higher education, and employers have the health and safety resources they need to help prevent the spread of the virus in our communities. 

Unfortunately, the President's budget slashes the U.S. contribution to the World Health Organization by 53 percent. It cuts funds to CDC and HHS by 9 percent and cuts funds to NIH by 7 percent. At a time when we need to dedicate more resources to combat the coronavirus, it would be irresponsible to take an axe to our public health infrastructure. We need to listen to the experts, not take away their funding.

The Virginia Department of Health is sharing valuable updates and information on COVID-19. In the coming weeks, I will continue calling for maximum transparency and close collaboration with health experts and scientists as we work to contain the coronavirus.

Sincerely,

"

Editorial comment: If the CDC can't get glyphosate banned, it deserves to be cut by more than a mere 9 percent.

Tim Kaine Supports Military Families, And...And...

And what else? I asked, reading the e-mail below from U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA).

"

Dear friend,

Today, the Senate passed the 2020 national defense bill. Each year, I'm proud of the bipartisan work that goes into delivering a defense bill that helps protect our country and support our servicemembers.

This year, one of my top priorities was addressing dangerous conditions in military housing, including rodent infestations, mold that made kids sick, lead, and other safety hazards. The final legislation includes two of my amendments to improve oversight and increase protections for military families to ensure they have safe places to live. I'm thankful we could come to a bipartisan consensus in both the Senate and House to pass these reforms and other provisions that are important to the defense community in Virginia.

Here are some of the other priorities I supported that were included in the final defense bill:
• Supports shipbuilding and repair.
• Includes paid family leave for federal employees.
• Authorizes military construction projects throughout Virginia.
• Blocks the President from withdrawing troops from NATO.
• Provides financial relief to civilian federal employees.
• Cleans up dioxin at Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam.
• Addresses recurring areas of instability in post-conflict zones.

You can read more about the legislation here >>
I'm so pleased we got this bill across the finish line and I look forward to it being signed into law

Sincerely,

" [signature graphic: Tim Kaine]

Such a nice, bland, unexceptionable description for such a huge, complex bill with so many controversial political ramifications...This web site definitely appreciates the Senator's interest in cleaning up military housing, and this web site also repeats: We need a One Subject At A Time rule for all proposed legislation, in the U.S. Congress and in every individual State's legislature.

Tim Kaine on Direct Care Workers

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA):

"

Dear friend,

Our population is aging, and there's a growing demand for care. Direct care workers - including, personal care aides, home health aides, and nursing assistants - provide critical assistance to older Americans, people with disabilities, and others with chronic conditions. These workers play an integral role in our health care system and we need to do what we can to support their important work.

This week, I joined Representative Bobby Scott to introduce the Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act to address the need for well-trained direct care workers. The bill would improve training and mentoring for those taking on careers in direct care and also aims to improve the recruitment, retention, and career advancement of these workers.

You can read more about our bill here.

These workers support the most vulnerable people in our communities. Our bill is an effort to help ensure that their work is valued as highly as it should be and that they have the resources needed to effectively do their jobs.

Sincerely, [signature graphic: Tim Kaine]

"

There's not a link to the actual text of the bill. This is often a bad sign. The first link opens the press release version of the e-mail; the second link opens an article about it. A "bill to improve training and mentoring" sounds likely to make things harder, not easier, for family members seeking fair compensation for what they may be able to do for people with disabilities.

Tim Kaine on Paid Sick Leave

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), editorial comment below:

"

Dear friend,

Too often, American workers are forced to choose between taking time off to care for their health and receiving a paycheck.

So I joined my colleague Senator Patty Murray on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to introduce the Healthy Families Act to allow workers to earn paid sick leave. This is about making sure that people can take time off when they are ill, need to care for a sick family member, obtain preventive care, or address the impacts of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.

The legislation would allow workers at businesses with at least 15 employees to earn up to 56 hours, or seven days, of paid sick leave each year. Businesses that already provide paid sick leave would not have to change their current policies, as long as they meet the minimum standards of the bill.

Studies show that paid sick leave can reduce the spread of contagious diseases like the flu and that a national paid sick days policy would reduce emergency room visits by 1.3 million annually, saving $1.1 billion a year.

I hope my colleagues in the Senate and House will join us and help make sure this legislation becomes law.

Sincerely,

Visit my website: kaine.senate.gov

"

Editorial comment: Meh. In my lifetime I've done very few jobs that came with paid sick leave. Mostly I've avoided flu by avoiding jobs where people are crowded together...for instance, when office workers don't have separate offices, they all breathe on each other all day, and fast-mutating viruses like Norwalk Flu just keep going around and around and around. Paid sick leave is fun, and quarantine is a very pleasant and public-spirited thing if only extroverts had enough sense to take it, but my observation was that, in offices that gave paid sick leave, flu circulated anyway. The sicker extroverts get, the more they want to rush up and grab other people and breathe on them.

Tim Kaine on Military Budget Cuts to Fund Border Wall

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), with editorial comments below:

"

Dear friend,

More than a month ago, I sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan about my concerns with President Trump's plan to take billions of dollars from the Department of Defense's military construction budget to build his border wall. I asked which military projects would be affected and the negative impacts it will have on American servicemembers if those projects are terminated. Unfortunately, DoD refused to give us that list before the Senate voted on President Trump's emergency declaration.

Last week, in an Armed Services Committee hearing, I pressed Secretary Shanahan on the delay and this past Monday, the Trump Administration finally released the list of projects that are at risk of losing funding.

Not only do these projects support military readiness, including military training centers here in Virginia, they also ensure the security of our servicemembers, both at home and overseas. The projects at risk include a plant to prevent water contamination at Camp Lejeune, a child development center for military families at Andrews Air Force Base, security updates at the Pentagon and bases across the Commonwealth, and a cyber ops facility at Joint-Base Langley Eustis.

President Trump's own defense advisors have made clear that there is no military emergency on our southern border. Yet the President is still trying to ransack the Pentagon's budget. President Trump is prioritizing his border wall ahead of the safety of our troops, and Congress cannot let this stand.

I hope my colleagues will take a serious look at these projects that support our military and then vote to override the President's veto.

Sincerely,

Visit my website: kaine.senate.gov

"

Editorial comments: Meh. The three Virginia projects on the list look like the sort of thing that can be postponed as long as we stay out of war, but then all defense maintenance projects look that way unless, and until, we're attacked. I think Trump should be doing more to get those who want the wall behind his Gofundme page. I really like the idea of fundraising as an alternative to federal funding.

Tim Kaine's Staff Will Meet the People in Gate City

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, D-VA:

"

Dear Friend,

On March 21, my staff will host Kaine Connects office hours in Gate City from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

Although I can't be there in person, this is a terrific opportunity to get personalized and undivided attention from my staff. Please make an individual appointment by emailing Laura_Blevins@kaine.senate.gov. Walk in visitors will be accommodated upon staff availability.

Appalachian Community Action & Development Agency175 Military Lane
Gate City, VA 24251
March 21, 2019
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

For more information on upcoming Kaine Connects, click here.

Sincerely,

Visit my website: kaine.senate.gov

"

Tim Kaine on the Farm Bill

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA):

"

Dear friend,

It's official - the 2018 Farm Bill, which included key provisions to legalize hemp, was signed into law today. This comprehensive bipartisan legislation ends the outdated ban on hemp production and allows Virginia farmers to finally grow and sell the plant, creating new business opportunities and jobs in our Commonwealth.

Read more about the bill here >>

The 2018 Farm Bill also included significant investments to expand Chesapeake Bay clean-up efforts, protect Virginia commodities like dairy and cotton, and maintain funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that Virginia families depend on for food security.

I'm proud we came together and delivered these big wins for Virginia families, farmers, and businesses.

Sincerely, 

"

You can follow the link to another link that contains the full text of the Farm Bill--all 807 pages of PDF. However, if the Senator were in fact a friend of mine, he'd know that I don't give a flyin' flip about hemp. I want to know where to find the removal of protections for glyphosate.

Obamacare: Tim Kaine Gloats

From this web site, a prod with a sharp stick to certain squishy members of Congress whose mandate was to destroy Obamacare and, if possible, punish the insurance companies for allowing anyone even to suggest that Americans could be forced to buy into gambling rackets.

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, this bit of gloating:

"

I'm thrilled that we recently passed legislation in the Senate that supports health care priorities that are critical to Virginia. From funding cancer research, to protecting the Affordable Care Act, to helping states administer substance abuse treatment, to combatting Alzheimer's, the bill includes key wins that will help make Virginians healthier.

Specifically, the legislation fully funds the Gabriella Miller Kid's First Pediatric Research Program to work towards a cure for childhood diseases. In 2014, Congress passed bipartisan legislation I championed to create this program, named for 10-year-old Gabriella Miller of Loudoun County who passed away from cancer in October of 2013. We've now allocated $63 million for this important research that will help save lives. I'm grateful that my colleagues joined together again this year to honor Gabriella and her inspiring work as an advocate for pediatric disease research through passage of this legislation.

I'm also relieved that we were able to stop language from being included that could have further damaged the Affordable Care Act. Instead, the bill helps protect Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA. These vital programs have been a lifeline for so many Virginians, and I'll keep doing everything I can to preserve them.

You can read more about the bill here >>

Health care is a right, and I remain committed to improving the health care system for all Virginians.

Sincerely,

"

Those who claim to have been representing me deserved this. And worse.

Tim Kaine on Student Loan Forgiveness

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), with comment (aimed at The Nephews) below:

"

Public servants across Virginia - teachers, social workers, government workers, servicemembers, and others - who take on crushing student loan debt often struggle to make ends meet. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program allows borrowers to eliminate their remaining debt after making years of payments and working in public service for a decade. This program helps us draw the brightest minds into education and other service professions where they can make a big impact.

Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill that includes $350 million in funding for the PSLF program. I had heard from Virginians who thought they were eligible for loan forgiveness, but because of a technical glitch, they were being denied the relief they deserved. I'm proud I was able to get the Senate to pass legislation to help fix that issue, and this additional funding will help those borrowers who were in the wrong payment program remain eligible for loan forgiveness.

For more information on loan forgiveness through the PSLF program >>

This is about supporting the teachers, social workers, military personnel and other public servants who have dedicated their life's work to serving our communities.

Sincerely,

Senator Tim Kaine

"

Comment: Sometimes students hear about "loan forgiveness" and expect it to save them money. It won't. If you've been making regular payments on a loan long enough to qualify, 5-25 years depending on where you work in what field and how much you owe, you've paid enough interest that the lender is making some profit on the loan. The most frugal way to deal with a student loan is to pay it off as fast as possible--no penalty for prepayment, so the ideal way would be to pay the full amount right after graduation. Or, failing that, if you're taking home $2000/month, live on $1000 and pay the other $1000 on your loan until the loan's all gone.

Better yet, consider the right-wing route of not going to college...right away. Nobody's saying you shouldn't go to college, and university and medical school if appropriate, but you can go to college while you're still young enough to be part of the teen social scene if you go to trade school first and do a grown-up job before and during your college days. I've often thought that I could have finished the B.A. in English, B.S. in psychology, and R.D. in dietetics of my dreams if I'd only done a trade school certificate at the local community college first. Student labor is part of the Berea tradition but, at other schools where tuition is more burdensome, it's a lot easier to stay in school once you're earning enough to look at a tuition bill without feeling faint.

I especially recommend the trade school route to the four of you who arrived, one after another, to a couple of parents whose medical profile indicated that they have no children. Adore you though they do, they're doing well to have lived this long; they're not going to be able to send you to the kind of universities where some of you probably belong. Neither are your aunts, uncles, or grandparents. Paying your own way is part of the family tradition.

But, if you're considering teaching, note what he said about education. (Inside joke? In some states, of which Virginia is one, students can get a substantial scholarship for agreeing to teach math in an inner city school or a remote rural one.) Nationwide, teaching in a school that has a hard time finding teachers is the way to qualify for loan forgiveness in only five years.

Shabby people are everywhere, but you might be surprised by what nice people you meet in the inner city schools.

Tim Kaine on Broadband

Editorial comment: We hope this legislation was written with due respect to those who DO NOT WANT Internet or TV access in our homes.

We do not actually live in the post-plague world of benign neighbors who recognize meddling as a serious mental illness, where a local "Internet of Things" might be seen as a blessing to people with physical disabilities. We live in a world where entire political parties are built around the idea of giving bureaucrats more opportunities to meddle. So we live in a world where automatic blocking of electronic signals is one of the things some people like best about our rural homes.

"

After years of pushing for much-needed improvements to Virginia’s infrastructure, I’m pleased that we recently passed a bill in the Senate that would fund key transportation grants and help expand broadband access to rural communities in the Commonwealth.

Specifically, the legislation supports the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, formerly known as “TIGER” grants. In the past, Virginia has used these grants for projects including the I-95 Express Lanes, I-564 connector from Norfolk International Terminals at the Port of Virginia, I-64 Delta Frames Bridges in Rockbridge County, and the Pulse bus-rapid transit system in Richmond.

The bill would also help fund a grant program administered by the Rural Utilities Service that brings critical services to some of the most rural, underserved areas in America. This program supports new or improved broadband access across rural areas and enables telecommunications providers to fill gaps where there is little or no broadband service. Broadband access has become a critical part of our basic economic infrastructure and is vital for job creation.

Read more about the bill here >>

Please know that I’ll keep being a strong advocate for smart investments in infrastructure that can create jobs and make daily life easier for you and your family.

Sincerely, [signature graphic: Tim Kaine]

"

Here's the official summary of the bill:

"

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to fund federal programs under the Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of the Treasury (USDT), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Interior (DOI).

On a bipartisan 92-6 vote, the Senate approved the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations package that covers funding for Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD); Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration; Interior and Environment; Financial Services and General Government; and all of their related agencies. The bill will now go to conference where it will be reconciled with a version passed by the House of Representatives.

“This bipartisan package maintains key Virginia priorities and pushes back against the Administration’s attempts to impose draconian cuts to vital federal programs,” said the Senators. “The bill keeps federal commitments to help fund the Metro system, which is critical to the capital region, and maintain cleanup efforts for the Chesapeake Bay. In addition, these funds will help expand broadband access to rural communities in Virginia and provide support to the six Virginia tribes that earned federal recognition this year so they can finally access the services and benefits they are owed.”

The following list includes many of the provisions Sens. Warner and Kaine advocated for on behalf of Virginia that were included in the appropriations package:

• WMATA: The bill includes the full federal funding of $150 million for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) capital improvement. Warner and Kaine previously urged Senate appropriators to fund WMATA at authorized levels.

• Virginia Tribes: Earlier this year, Congress passed and the president signed into law the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017, legislation introduced by Sens. Warner and Kaine which for the first time granted federal recognition to six Virginia tribes: the Chickahominy, the Eastern Chickahominy, the Upper Mattaponi, the Rappahannock, the Monacan, and the Nansemond. The appropriations bill provides $1.12 million to largely help these Virginia tribes access the benefits and resources now available to them after their successful, decades-long effort to secure federal recognition.

• Chesapeake Bay: The bill provides $73 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program, a regional partnership that directs and conducts the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. It also includes $2.02 million for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network, which helps increase public access and the use of ecological, cultural and historic resources of the Chesapeake region.

• Broadband Grants: The bill provides $30 million to fund a grant program administered by the Rural Utilities Service that brings critical services to some of the most rural, underserved areas in America. The program provides financing to support new or improved broadband access across rural America and enable telecommunications providers to fill gaps where there is little or no broadband service. Broadband access has become a critical part of basic economic infrastructure for Virginians and is vital for job creation.

• FBI Headquarters: The bill does not include funding for the Trump Administration’s plan to demolish the existing FBI headquarters in Washington and build a new facility in its place. Senate appropriators specifically note in the bill that they will continue to be reluctant to provide additional funds for this project due to the unanswered questions from the Administration regarding their new plan, including the revision of longstanding mission and security requirements for the new facility.

• National Park Service: The bill provides $3.2 billion for operations of the National Park Service. In 2017, more than 24 million individuals visited Virginia’s 21 National Parks. National Park Service assets also fill critical transportation needs for Virginians, such as the link the Arlington Memorial Bridge, to visit historic sites like Arlington National Cemetery and the national monuments in the District of Columbia.

• Wolf Trap: The bill provides $2.2 million for the National Capital Performing Arts Fund, which provides the funding needed to operate Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Northern Virginia.

• Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG): CDBG helps communities develop projects that meet unique housing, infrastructure, and economic development needs and supports job creation. The bill provides $3.4 billion for CDBG, equal to the fiscal year 2018 level. The bill rejects the President’s proposals to increase rent for public housing residents and protects critical sources of funding for affordable housing such as the HOME program. Sens. Warner and Kaine have strongly opposed President Trump’s efforts to cut funding for affordable housing.

• Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT): The bill includes $500 million for payments to counties through the PILT program, in order to help local governments offset losses in property taxes due to non-taxable federal lands within their boundaries.

• Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program: The bill includes $270 million to assist individuals and families so they can quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.

• Unmanned Systems: The bill appropriates $6 million in matching funds for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) research. The original FY19 T-HUD base bill made $3 million available as matching funds for companies that partner with the UAS test sites like the one at Virginia Tech, which are working towards integrating UAS into the national airspace. After Sen. Warner introduced an amendment to boost UAS research funding levels, the final bill doubled that amount to $6 million.

• Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI): The bill provides $1 million to help bring grocery stores and other healthy food retailers to underserved urban and rural communities across America. Recent changes to the program included in the Senate-passed version of the 2018 Farm Bill closely follow Sen. Warner’s efforts in the Senate to eradicate food deserts.  

• Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants: The bill provides $33 million for this national competitive grant program that aims to help rural communities obtain the technology and training needed to connect educational and medical professionals with the teachers and medical providers who serve rural residents. USDA has awarded over $587,000 to Virginia telemedicine projects which provide health care services in rural areas, including mental health, drug addiction treatment, and funded two mobile health units that offer on-site care and telemedicine video conferencing with doctors and specialists. USDA also awarded over $215,000 to Pittsylvania County Schools to purchase video conferencing equipment to provide interactive distance learning services for students and educators.

• Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): The bill includes a 1.9 percent salary boost for federal civilian employees.

• Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): The bill provides $425 million for LWCF, which has helped preserve forests, trails, wildlife refuges, historic battlefields, and Chesapeake Bay lands and waters in Virginia. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, the Virginia outdoors industry supports approximately $21.9 billion in annual consumer spending and 197,000 direct jobs.

• BUILD infrastructure grants: The bill provides $1 billion for competitive transportation grants through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, formerly known as “TIGER” grants. Virginia has previously used these grants for projects including I-95 Express Lanes, I-564 connector from Norfolk International Terminals at the Port of Virginia, I-64 Delta Frames Bridges in Rockbridge County, the Pulse bus-rapid transit system in Richmond, and Northstar Boulevard in Loudoun County near Dulles.

"

Tim Kaine on Teacher Shortages, and This Web Site on Students

From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), and since I've just invited a prospective client to check out my writing skills here, I'm adding a bit of writing and research below!

"

At the start of every school year we see the same headlines about exploding class sizes and districts facing teacher and principal shortages. These shortages plague the whole country, and are often worst in our rural communities, but it's a problem we can solve. When teachers and principals have the tools they need to succeed, they are more likely to stay in their roles and equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in today's economy.

This week, I introduced the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act to address the teacher and principal shortages that we are seeing in communities across Virginia and all over the country.

The legislation would expand the definition of "high need" districts to allow schools in these areas to access additional support resources, encourage school districts to create partnerships with local community colleges and universities in order to create a pipeline of recruitment of teachers back to those districts, as well as increase access to teacher and school leader residency and training programs so communities can recruit teachers locally. The bill also expands the support for teacher preparation programs at Minority Serving Institutions including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges to support a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce.

Read more about the bill here >> (link opens a press release, below)

This is about addressing a gap in our education system and ensuring students across the country get a quality education, no matter where they live.

Sincerely,

"

Here's the linked document:

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, introduced thePreparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act to address teacher and principal shortages, especially in rural communities. This legislation will help ensure that there are enough teachers and principals with the right skills and tools to educate students and prepare them for the future.

“At the start of every school year we see the same headlines about exploding class sizes and districts facing unfillable openings. Teacher shortages plague the whole country, and are worst in our rural communities, but it’s a problem we can solve. When teachers and principals have the tools they need to succeed, they are more likely to stay in their roles. This bill will help us tackle this issue in Virginia and across the country,” Kaine said.  “It is also critical for our teaching workforce to grow more reflective of the diverse population of students it serves.”

The legislation would expand the definition of “high need” districts under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to include those experiencing teacher shortages in rural communities and in areas such as special education, English language, science, technology, engineering, math, and CTE, to allow for access to additional support and improvement. It would also encourage school districts to create partnerships, including Grow Your Own programs, with local community colleges and universities to ensure their programs are educating future teachers in areas where there is a shortage of educators. It would increase access to teacher and school leader residency programs and preparation training. And it requires states to identify areas of teacher or school leader shortages by subject across public schools and use that data to target their efforts. Additionally, since the majority of students in our nation’s public schools are students of color and the teaching workforce is only comprised of 20 percent teachers of color, the PREP Act increases support for teacher preparation programs at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to support a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce.

Here are the school divisions with the highest percentage and highest number of unfilled teacher positions in public schools across the Commonwealth, according to the Virginia Department of Education as of 2016-2017:

Top Divisions with Highest % Unfilled Teacher Positions	Shortage (%)	Number of Unfilled Positions
Middlesex County Public Schools	20.3%	20
Petersburg City Public Schools	13.9%	47
Danville City Public Schools	10.1%	47
Bland County Public Schools	8.6%	6
Greensville County Public Schools	6.7%	13
Caroline County Public Schools	5.4%	13
Martinsville City Public Schools	4.9%	9
Appomattox County Public Schools	4.5%	8
Bath County Public Schools	4.4%	3
Dinwiddie County Public Schools	4.4%	15

Top Divisions with Highest # of Unfilled Teacher Positions	Number of Unfilled Positions	Shortage (%)
Fairfax County Public Schools	218	1.4%
Prince William County Public Schools	61	1.0%
Richmond City Public Schools	53	3.2%
Norfolk City Public Schools	53	2.2%
Petersburg City Public Schools	47	13.9%
Danville City Public Schools	47	10.1%
Suffolk City Public Schools	44	4.0%
Loudoun County Public Schools	34	0.6%
Chesapeake City Public Schools	24	0.9%
Portsmouth City Public Schools	23	2.2%

“The PREP Act is thoughtful legislation that supports the current progress states are making to address educator shortages and transform the way teachers are prepared to ensure all educators are ready on day one to meet the needs of all students in the classroom. This proposed legislation gives states the support they need to administer effective programs, while at the same time holding them accountable for results. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Kaine and all Members of Congress on efforts to reauthorize the Higher Education Act in a way that supports necessary improvements in how we can better prepare teachers and leaders to meet the needs of all children,” Carissa Moffat Miller, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School Officers said.

"The best federal education policy proposals reflect the experiences of states, and the PREP Act includes best practices and smart reforms we are implementing in Virginia to address teacher shortages and ensure that every child is taught by a qualified and well-prepared teacher," Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said.

Last year, then Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe had to implement an emergency regulation, ordering the Virginia Board of Education to instruct state public colleges and universities to start offering undergraduate students the opportunity to major in education because of a vast teacher shortage across the Commonwealth. Teacher shortages are a nationwide problem. In 2016, a Learning Policy Institute study found that teacher education enrollment dropped 35 percent between 2009 and 2014. While this can be due to a lot of factors, low teacher pay and under supported advanced training play a role. Teacher shortages are even greater in areas such as special education and fields such as science, mathematics, world languages, and career technical education (CTE)—fields that are vital for U.S. economic success. Further, research shows that better prepared teachers stay longer in the profession and are more effective in improving student achievement and that a racially representative mix of teachers and school leaders can have a strong positive effect on closing the achievement gap for minority students.

The PREP Act is supported by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Writing Project, CAST, National Council of Teachers of English, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Committee for Children, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

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If you follow the link in the Senator's e-mail, you'll find a link to the full text of his bill.

Meanwhile, I promised a little more writing and research...

A correspondent closer to Martinsville notes that Niche.com has just rated Pittsylvania County 38th of 131 public school districts in Virginia--an A minus grade. Martinsville rates somewhat lower, and Scott County rates right around the middle of the list with a C grade overall, although Gate City High School still earns an A on athletic programs. I should hope.

What does this mean to Gate City or to Martinsville? Not much. Niche's rating factors are just a tiny bit different from the ones that keep our schools facing off for state trophies for this, that, and the other. Niche takes into account, among other things, students' rating of cafeteria food (compared to local farm produce, it is almost as bad as it seems to the kids), and the number of students who go directly to four-year colleges or universities, and the "diversity" of the student body. Gate City rates below Martinsville, and both schools rate far behind schools in the Swamp corner of Virginia, partly because most of us are legally White.

Then of course there's the usual funding and spending stuff...and in this context the word "stuff" really needs its traditional partner "nonsense."

If only those Anderson kids who were at school with, before, and after me had stayed around, lived longer, and had children, our Niche rating might reflect the kind of school Gate City really is and always was. It says a lot about Niche that one family (admittedly a large, influential family) could have a high incidence of a disease gene, die out, and thereby pull the whole school down on Niche...

Er. Um. Not every Gate City student goes directly to a four-year college, but they might have considered the percentage of "preppies" who go directly to a big name college if they go directly to a four-year college at all. (My own roundabout route to Berea doesn't even need to count.) Similarly, most of us don't play either football or basketball, but those who do...and not all of us are musical, but the number of music students who go "professional"...and so on, for any endeavor you care to name. What we're known for, and (not just coincidentally) what Martinsville is known for, is doing more with what we have than the rest of the state do.

No links to Niche here, because they haven't earned one. Instead...Local readers, every year or so, despite this web site's policy of not mentioning kids' names, there is a local high school student who catches all of our eyes by being outrageously good at lots of different things. Since they're no longer kids, I'll mention, just once, John Reed, Lucindy Lawson, Morgan and Jordan Gose, and Tihlee Anderson. I will not mention the one of you who will stand out even in Gate City, this year, because that one will still be a kid...but one of you will, because that's the tradition. Others of you won't stand out quite as much, but you'll still get into whichever big name universities you may want, no trouble, and you'll have no academic trouble there, either, because that's the tradition.

Show Niche, kids.

We don't need Niche's quirky ratings standards.

We rule.

Even, though not by much, over Martinsville.