Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Herring Announces Opposition To Lifting Ban On Uranium Mining

Thursday, December 20th, 2012

Will offer budget amendment to prohibit state funds from being used to circumvent the ban.

Leesburg – Democratic candidate for Attorney General State Senator Mark Herring (Loudoun & Fairfax) released the following statement today announcing his opposition to legislation that would lift the ban on uranium mining and milling in Virginia:

“Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with interested stakeholders on both sides of the debate over whether to end the ban on uranium mining and milling in Virginia.  I have carefully considered their positions, as well as the scientific evidence, and I have concluded that ending the ban on uranium mining and milling is not the right course for our Commonwealth.

Therefore, I will oppose legislation during the upcoming 2013 General Assembly session that would lift the ban. Additionally, I plan to introduce budget language that would prohibit any state funding from being used to promulgate regulations designed to circumvent the ban.

The Governor should not be using taxpayer dollars and staff resources to create the regulatory framework for uranium mining, which is currently prohibited by state law.

The health and safety of the public, and of the environment, should be of paramount concern when considering issues such as this and I am simply not convinced that uranium mining can be conducted in Southside Virginia in a safe and environmentally responsible way. I take very seriously the concerns raised by citizens, business leaders and local officials in both Southside and Hampton Roads who have expressed to me their fears with regard to the potential for negative public health impacts, particularly water supply contamination.

I look forward to working with those same citizens, business leaders and local officials on ways we can improve and expand economic opportunity in Southside and diversify Virginia’s portfolio of domestic energy resources.”

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Herring Announces Candidacy for Attorney General

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

Declaring, “It’s time to get politics out of the Attorney General’s office and return its focus to doing what’s right for the people of Virginia,” State Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun & Fairfax Counties) announced today that he has filed paperwork and will seek the office of Attorney General in 2013. Herring released the following statement:

“Over the last three years, we’ve watched Attorney General Cuccinelli pursue an ideological crusade that is out of step with the mainstream.  Time after time, the Attorney General has abused the powers of his office and twisted the law to advance his personal political agenda, which has been costly to taxpayers and costly to the credibility of the office. It’s hurt Virginians and damaged our state’s reputation.

“It’s time to get politics out of the Attorney General’s office and return its focus to doing what’s right for the people of Virginia.

“Virginia cannot afford another Attorney General like Ken Cuccinelli.  Unfortunately, that’s exactly what those on the Republican side jockeying to take his place are offering.  But what Virginians are looking for is an Attorney General who will restore the people’s trust in the office.

“So after talking with Virginians across the Commonwealth, and with much thought and careful consideration, I have decided to run to be Virginia’s next Attorney General.

“I want to be the Attorney General for all of the people in our state. Virginians deserve the respect and the protection of the law, regardless of the Attorney General’s personal politics.

“And that’s the kind of Attorney General I will be. As I have done in the Senate, I will work to keep Virginia’s families and seniors safe. I will fight to protect consumers, defend civil rights and ensure state agencies are accountable to the people. And I will stand up for the right of women to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference.

“As the only Democrat from Loudoun County in the General Assembly, I’ve stood up to Ken Cuccinelli and his allies in Richmond on the front lines of the legislative fights over their socially divisive agenda.  I have won tough races in a swing district in the outer-suburbs of Northern Virginia and I know what it takes to win.

“I look forward to campaigning in every corner of the Commonwealth and introducing Virginia to a new vision for the office of Attorney General.”

Mark Herring was elected to the State Senate in 2006, representing Loudoun and Fairfax Counties and previously served as a Loudoun County Supervisor for four years. During his tenure in the Senate, Herring has been a leader in the effort to grow and expand technology-based economic development in Virginia and has worked to make both state and local governments more accountable to the public. Herring led the effort to crack down on new threats to our children’s safety, working closely with law enforcement and prosecutors to keep dangerous new synthetic drugs off the shelves. He has championed legislation to target those who would commit financial scams against our seniors and passed legislation to strengthen penalties for acts of domestic violence.  As Co-Chair of the General Assembly’s National Guard Caucus, he has worked to ensure that military personnel, their families and veterans have the full support of the state and communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Herring has lived most of his life in Loudoun County.  He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia.  Since graduating with honors from the University of Richmond School of Law, he has practiced law in Leesburg for 22 years. He is the Principal of the law firm Herring & Turner, P.C.  He has been married to his wife, Laura, for 23 years and they have two children.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Economic Development, Education, General Session, Transportation, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Herring Statement on Loudoun County Silver Line Vote

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

State Senator Mark Herring (D – Loudoun & Fairfax) released this statement following the vote by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to “Opt-In” to Phase 2 of the Silver Line Project:

“The Board of Supervisors made the right decision. Extending Metro to Dulles Airport and into Loudoun County is an investment in our future and will help ensure our region’s continued economic growth and prosperity.  While this is an historic moment, there is more work still to be done.

The state is only contributing about 5% of the total project cost for Phase 2, and that is unacceptable.  I will continue my efforts to secure additional state funds for Phase 2 and look for other ways to keep tolls from skyrocketing on the Dulles Toll Road.

Additionally, the time for the federal government to step up is long overdue.  I will work with our federal delegation to obtain their participation in this project that will connect our region’s international airport to our nation’s capital.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Transportation, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Herring Statement on Affordable Care Act Ruling

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

State Senator Mark Herring (D – Loudoun & Fairfax) released this statement following the ruling of the United States Supreme Court affirming the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

“The Affordable Care Act was designed to expand access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.  Millions of Americans will no longer need to live in fear that insurance companies will deny them coverage if they have a pre-existing condition. Young people can stay on their parent’s insurance plans until age 26 and seniors will receive free preventative healthcare benefits.

I am disappointed but not surprised by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s over-the-top response claiming that this is a dark day for America.  He has wasted Virginia resources advancing a political agenda that the Chief Justice John Roberts and the Supreme Court has rejected. For Ken it is a dark day, but for Virginia families that can now rest easy knowing that the healthcare coverage they so desperately need won’t be taken away, it is a good day indeed.

While this isn’t a perfect plan, I applaud Chief Justice Roberts and the Supreme Court for affirming the constitutionality of President Obama’s signature legislative achievement: healthcare reform. As a member of Virginia’s Health Reform Initiative, and a member of the Senate Commerce and Labor Subcommittee on Health Exchanges, I look forward to working with the Governor, the Attorney General and my colleagues in the General Assembly to implement this law in the best possible way so that our citizens will receive the maximum benefit of healthcare reform.”

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Comments Regarding The Situation At UVA

Friday, June 22nd, 2012

As both a proud UVA alumnus and a state legislator, I was shocked by the decision and am deeply concerned about the process by which President Sullivan was forced to resign. I am also concerned about the damage this decision has done to the UVA community and to the University’s reputation, as well as the loss of outstanding University faculty and major donors.

I have worked with Delegate David Toscano (Charlottesville) to craft a letter from current members of the Virginia General Assembly who are also graduates of the University of Virginia calling on the Board of Visitors to reconsider their decision and reinstate President Sullivan.

Additionally, I believe that Rector Dragas should immediately submit her resignation to the Governor.  Regardless of whether she had good reason to pursue the actions she did-which seems increasingly unlikely- the only way for the University to move forward and recover from the disastrous way this was handled would be for her to step aside.

The process by which President Sullivan was forced to resign was fundamentally flawed, dramatically at odds with the principles of the flagship University in the Commonwealth, and inconsistent with a transparent decision-making process required of a public University.  I am encouraged by the recent announcement that the Board of Visitors has called a special meeting on Tuesday, and I am hopeful the Board will take swift action to reverse their prior decision.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Herring Earns Critical Endorsements in Reelection Bid

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

Several key local and state organizations have endorsed Senator Mark Herring’s (D-Loudoun & Fairfax) reelection to the Virginia State Senate.  Among those endorsing Senator Herring are:

- The Northern Virginia Technology Council
- NOVA BizPAC (political arm of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce)
- National Federation of Independent Business
- Northern Virginia Association of Realtors
- Dulles Area Association of Realtors
- Virginia Education Association
- Loudoun Education Association
- Fairfax Education Association
- Virginia Farm Bureau Ag PAC
- Virginia Professional Firefighters Association
- Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Association
- Virginia Police Benevolent Association

Said Senator Herring of the endorsements:

“I am proud to have earned the endorsement of so many important organizations both here in Northern Virginia, and across the Commonwealth. These groups recognize that I have a strong record of putting partisan politics aside and working together to find solutions and that I have successfully delivered results for the 33rd District and Northern Virginia.  I look forward to continuing this approach if I am privileged to be reelected on November 8th.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Herring Statement on Virginia Being Named “Top State for Business” by CNBC

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

State Senator Mark Herring issued the following statement today in response to Virginia being named America’s “Top State for Business” by CNBC. The Commonwealth achieved the highest point total in the history of CNBC’s rankings:

“I am extremely proud that Virginia has once again, for the fourth time in six years, been recognized as America’s ‘Top State for Business’ according to CNBC.”

“Virginia is not Washington, D.C. In Virginia, we balance our budget and control spending and, this year, we made critical investments in education, our infrastructure and economic development in order to spur job creation in the private sector. We have succeeded in keeping taxes low and our unemployment rate now stands at 6%, three points below the national average. While there is much more work ahead, all Virginians can take pride in this national honor.”

“Virginians expect their representatives to go to Richmond and make the tough decisions necessary to put Virginia on the path towards economic recovery during these turbulent times. They expect us to leave partisanship and ideology at the door and do what is right for Virginia. I believe that this recognition demonstrates that we are living up to those expectations.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

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.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

McDonnell Signs Herring’s Research and Development Tax Credit Legislation into Law

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Governor Bob McDonnell today signed into law legislation sponsored by Senator Mark Herring establishing a research and development tax credit in Virginia. The measure passed the General Assembly with wide bipartisan support in February.

“I thank the Governor for his support of this important economic development and job creation initiative. This legislation will build on the great strides we have made in recent years to make Virginia more competitive with our neighbors and more attractive to technology industry,” Herring said.

“Our Commonwealth, and Northern Virginia in particular, is perfectly suited for the kinds of high paying, high growth potential jobs that science and technology industry brings with it. States all across the country have found that innovation is a huge driver of economic growth,” Herring continued. “Until now, Virginia had been only one of twelve states that did not have this tax credit. This is an important bill that promotes job creation at a critical time.”

This legislation was the top priority of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Virginia Biotechnology Association, with whom Senator Herring has worked closely in the past, including last year on the passage of the Virginia Innovation Investment Act.

For his efforts to promote science and technology based economic development, Senator Herring was named “Legislator of the Year” in 2010 by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Herring Introduces Legislation Outlawing Synthetic Marijuana

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun and Fairfax) has introduced legislation for the 2011 General Assembly Session outlawing synthetic marijuana, a designer drug commonly referred to as “Spice” and “K2″. The bill would establish penalties for possession, sale, gift, distribution or possession with intent to sell, give or distribute the drug.

Produced in China and Korea, synthetic marijuana can be used and purchased legally in many areas of the country, including Virginia, and is currently being sold as an incense product at small convenience stores locally.

“The fact that these dangerous substances are legal in Virginia is unacceptable,” Herring said.  “The effects of synthetic marijuana are extremely harmful to those who use it. It is clear that usage of this gateway drug is on the rise among the youth in our community and in Virginia, and we need to confront this serious issue head on.”

Some of the drug’s most serious side effects include elevated blood pressure, elevated heart rate, hallucinations, and even coma or unconsciousness.  “Spice” or “K2″ has been linked to over 352 nationwide emergency room incidents including attempted suicides, extremely elevated heart rate/blood pressure, comas, seizures, and anxiety attacks.  The American Association of Poison Control Centers report over 1,500 overdoses nationally resulting from the use of synthetic marijuana in just the first nine months of this year.

Under the bill, punishment for possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana is largely in accord with the provisions for actual marijuana.

The National Drug Court Resource Center has identified the problem of synthetic marijuana as an “emerging issue”.  Many drug courts are experiencing a significant and disturbing surge in client’s use of synthetic marijuana.

“The widespread availability of synthetic marijuana in our communities means that anyone, including our youth, can walk into a store and purchase this product to get a legal high,” said Michelle White, President of the Virginia Drug Court Association, “These products are clearly labeled ‘not for human consumption’ making the use of them a serious threat to the health and well being of those that would use or abuse it.”

“Virginia Drug Courts are seeing an increase in the use of synthetic marijuana among participants, particularly youth enrolled in the juvenile drug courts, because the substance is not detected on a marijuana drug screen and remains readily and legally accessible,” White stated, “Now is the time for us to move to protect young people and the Virginia Drug Court Association urges the General Assembly to pass legislation to ban all synthetic marijuana products.”

Recently, the Leesburg Police Department called attention to the rise in possession of synthetic marijuana in the area. At least one case of using the drug has resulted in an overdose that required hospitalization in Loudoun.

“Synthetic marijuana is currently being sold legally in our community and does pose a serious health risk,” said Leesburg Police Chief Joseph Price, “Although the product is being marketed as incense, many of those purchasing it (teenagers and adults) are doing so to achieve a ‘legal high’ since currently it is not a violation in the Commonwealth.  It is also obvious that most store proprietors know how it is being used.”

“The Leesburg Police Department applauds Senator Herring on introducing legislation to address this public safety and public health issue and urge both the public and other members of the General Assembly to join him in passing this legislation.”

Ten states have already adopted similar legislation and many others are lining up to address the problem.

Tags: ,
Posted in General Session, Uncategorized | Comments Off