Archive for April, 2011

Herring Named to Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Advisory Board

Monday, April 25th, 2011

Senator Mark Herring will participate in the first meeting of the Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Advisory Board today in Richmond.  Herring was named to the board by Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker.  The board was established by Governor Bob McDonnell pursuant to Executive Order 25.

The Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Advisory Board will make recommendations for more effective domestic violence services in Virginia through work with state and local agencies, as well as stakeholders.

“Domestic violence prevention is a critical issue affecting Virginia families,” Herring said.  “I take very seriously the charge of working to reduce the number of cases of domestic violence and to better manage our response when incidents do occur.  I am committed to the success of this Board and to a safer future for Virginia families.”

To read Gov. McDonnell’s Executive Order 25 click here.

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Herring to Seek Re-Election; Out-Raises All Virginia Senate Candidates Statewide in First Quarter

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Senator Mark Herring announced today that he would seek a second full term as the representative of the 33rd District. On Friday, he filed his first campaign finance report of 2011 – posting more cash raised than any other Virginia Senate candidate in the state, regardless of party.   Two impressive numbers stand out: over $100,000 raised for the quarter and a closing balance over $150,000 cash.  The final figures for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2011 break out as follows:

Total Raised — $102,712.00
Total Expenditures — $16,976.20
Final Cash on Hand — $151,513.63

Senator Herring’s showing is particularly remarkable due to Virginia’s restrictions on legislators’ fundraising activities during the legislative session.  For good reasons, incumbent legislators are prohibited from accepting or soliciting contributions while they are in session and bills are before the General Assembly.  This year’s General Assembly session ran from January 12 to February 28, leaving only 42 days available for fundraising.  Herring accomplished this feat with the support of 166 individual contributors.

“I am proud to be seeking my third opportunity to serve the citizens of Loudoun and Fairfax counties,” Herring announced. “Since I was first elected to represent the 33rd District in January 2006, I have worked diligently to ensure that both our district and the whole of Northern Virginia get the vigorous representation and precious resources we so desperately need.  Each year I return to Richmond I am able to accomplish more.”

“This year I was able to secure transportation funds for local projects, lower taxes, protect our children from dangerous designer drugs disguised as safe products, and continue planning for our future through sound fiscal management and investments in education.  I am humbled that as a result of this work I have received such an outpouring of support for my re-election campaign.”

“I sincerely look forward communicating about my successes over the past 5 years, having an open discussion about our needs going forward, and earning another term in Richmond.”

As of April 18th, Herring’s opponent Patricia Phillips had not yet filed her April 15th campaign finance report.

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Herring Legislation to Grow Virginia’s Innovation Economy Signed Into Law

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

At a ceremony this morning in Richmond, Governor Bob McDonnell signed into law two bills sponsored by Senator Mark Herring that were part of the Governor’s “Opportunity at Work” and designed to attract new businesses to Virginia and help existing businesses grow and expand.

The first bill, SB 1326, creates a research and development tax credit for early-stage firms in targeted industries, especially those companies accessing research and development services through Virginia colleges and universities to strengthen our business competitiveness.

In remarks made at the press conference, Herring stated, “Innovation is a huge driver of economic growth.  This is an example of a smart tax policy to promote additional investment in advanced technology industries, which have high growth potential and pay high wages.”

The second bill, SB 1485, bolsters the Commonwealth Research and Commercialization Fund to create a comprehensive structure to grow Virginia’s innovation economy. This program will serve as a catalyst for leveraging venture capital, Virginia higher education research assets and private sector funding to encourage evolving technologies that create the industries, businesses and jobs of the future.

“States all over the country, and countries all over the world, have become very aggressive in trying to attract advanced technology industries to their areas,” Herring stated.  “It is vitally important for Virginia and our economy to remain competitive with those states and countries.”

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