Delegate Ken Plum's "Apples, Oranges, and Cherries"

January 25, 2023

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IN THIS ISSUE

Commentary: Apples, Oranges, and Cherries
Bulletin Board
What Can I Do?
Check your Calendar

COMMENTARY

Apples, Oranges, and Cherries

Governor Glenn Youngkin came into office in Virginia at a difficult time for an aspiring politician who clearly has higher ambitions. Virginia has had a truly remarkable several years irrespective of the pandemic. How is a governor to show leadership if he leads a state that is doing well? The answer has unfolded over the past several months as the governor runs breathlessly to get ahead of where Virginia is among the states. He has had to employ some apples and oranges comparisons and some cherry picking to make himself relevant.

Cherry picking data includes picking numbers that make the Commonwealth look bad. In fact, nowhere mentioned in his use of facts and figures is the fact that Virginia has the 17^th highest per capita gross domestic product at $70,000 after a steady growth from $60,282 in 2019. Virginia’s per capita personal income in 2021 was $66,305, the 12^th highest in the nation. The governor proclaimed in his speech to the General Assembly earlier this year that “the people of Virginia are overtaxed.” According to Census Department numbers, however, Virginia has the 43^rd lowest state and local revenue as a percentage of personal income. Since 2004 Virginia has ranked among the lowest 25% of states for its state and local revenue as a percentage of personal income.

It is in the area of education that the governor stretches the limits on believability in his use of data. He has some limited hooks on which to build an argument for improving schools with the pandemic impacts having had a negative impact on school success in every state. However, he needs to consider where Virginia schools rank among independent sources. According to WalletHub.com, a company that specializes in complex statistical analyses, Virginia had the 4^th best schools in the Nation in 2022 based on 32 key metrics they considered. Only Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey had better scores on quality and safety of schools than Virginia. Intelligent.com used key metrics related to performance, safety, community, investment, class size, and attendance for all 50 states and ranked Virginia 5^th in academic performance and 6^th overall of the best schools in the nation. Scholaroo.com used 42 key indicators to compare school systems across the country, and in their 2022 report they ranked Virginia as the 5th best among all the factors.

Throughout his speech the governor insisted that Virginia be compared with North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. Virginia was 29^th lowest among the states in state and local funding pre-k through 12—certainly he does not want us to aspire to be like Georgia at 30^th, Texas at 36^th, Florida at 43^rd, Tennessee at 44^th, or North Carolina at 46^th. Only South Carolina among his states for comparison exceeds Virginia.

The governor ended his speech with a higher calling: “This is our own moment to eternalize in the books of history how we lived up to the Spirit of Virginia.” We must not do it, however, by comparing apples and oranges or cherry picking the story of history. Or as some would say, with smoke and mirrors!

BULLETIN BOARD

Diva Central Dress Drive

Donations Accepted February 1–28

Donations are tax-deductible and may be dropped off at RCC Hunters Woods or RCC Lake Anne from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Monday – Saturday; 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sundays. Read what is needed and how to donate at Diva Central.

Spring Flea Market at RCC Hunters Woods

Saturday, March 4 • 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The first day of spring is right around the corner, so this is the perfect time to get your spring cleaning underway. Searching for small appliances, books, jewelry, clothing, tools or toys? Take hidden gems home to enjoy rather than filling up the nearest landfill. Learn more at Flea Market.

Town of Vienna's Spring 2023 Guide Out Now

Does the "warm" weather have you thinking about all the fun activities happening around town this spring? If you're interested in registering for a class or joining a special event, check out the Parks and Recreation Spring Program and Events Guide! Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 6 for Town residents and 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 13 for people who live outside the Town. To view the guide, click here.

WHAT CAN I DO? CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Follow the General Assembly Session

The 2023 General Assembly session is underway. You can follow the legislative action at Legiscan.com/VA and watch the session live streams of both houses of the legislature: House video stream Senate video stream.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Friday, January 27, 5:00 p.m., Deadline to File Candidacy Forms to Run for a Seat on the Reston Association Board of Directors. Details are at Board of Directors Election.

Saturday, January 28, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Reston Summer Camp Expo, at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. Don’t miss your chance to learn about Reston-area summer camps and out-of-school activities–all in one place! Bring the whole family for a fun and informative morning that will feature snacks, music, games, prizes and camp resources. Contact: LaTanja Snelling, RCC Collaboration and Outreach Director, at 703-390-6158 or Latanja.Snelling@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Monday, January 30, 8:30 a.m., Camp Registration Opens for Reston Association members. Non-resident registration opens the following Monday. Learn more.

Sunday, February 5, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., Puzzle-Palooza, at Herndon Community Center. Do you love jigsaw puzzles? Are you looking for some screen-free fun with friends and family this winter? Gather your team of up to 4 people to show off your skills at Puzzle Palooza! Teams will race against each other to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle while competing for prizes. Light snacks will be served, plus you keep the puzzle. More is at Puzzle-Palooza.

Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 p.m., Reston Activism, at RCC Lake Anne's Jo Ann Rose Gallery. Reston’s residents from the 1960s to today have advocated for the needs of their community. Restonians have fought for racial equality, accessibility and housing, among other causes. Join a discussion of the success stories including the history behind the establishment of Cornerstones, Reston Community Center, Black Focus and more. Learn more at Reston Activism.

Saturday, February 11, 2:00 p.m., Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Dip, at Lake Anne in Reston. All funds raised in 2023 will help send families from the Mid-Atlantic area to Camp Sunshine. Learn more.

Tuesday, February 14, 10:00 a.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. The vigil commemorates the anniversary of the day 26 children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please DO NOT park in the NRA's parking lot. There is plenty of free parking in the office building lot on Fairfax Ridge Drive across Waples Mill Road. Signs and flags will be provided. Some protesters will drive past the NRA with signs taped to their car windows or doors; others will stand on the sidewalk.

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