The Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova
October 2013

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova 

 

In This Issue
Affordable Care Act
2013 Election
Fall for Fairfax KidsFest
Jeans Day
Hike and Bike
Workhouse

Tell me what you think!

 

Do you have questions, concerns, or ideas for the County? Contact my office now!

 

703.324.2321 TTY 711

 

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov

 

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Car Tax Deadline

 

Your Personal Property (car) tax payment is due on October 7.  Click here for information on payment methods and tax relief.

 

Government Shutdown In the Media

 

 

  
 

 

Government shutdown: Furloughed employees worried about paying bills- ABC7 

 

Greetings,
  

There is an often-used "Chinese" curse that states "May you live in interesting times." Some suggest that this phrase is actually derived from a Chinese saying, which translates to "heroes (leaders) are made over turbulent times."

Heroes are what we need right now!

As I write this edition of the Byline we are indeed in interesting times. Members of Congress failed to fund federal government operations, mostly over a dispute about the funding for the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Congress is in gridlock and we are in the first days of a federal government shutdown with no end in sight. Federal employees who are "non-essential" are forced to take unpaid leave. This equates to $1,608,194.52 per day in salaries lost for Fairfax County federal employees. Ouch!
  
  

My colleagues and I spent a good part of the day Tuesday going through the many effects of the shutdown. The greatest impact, of course, is to our constituents who are employed by the federal government or who are federal contract employees working in the private sector. The lost wages from the shutdown days combined with unpaid Sequestration furloughs equates to quite a whammy for a large percentage of our population, a pretty shabby way for Congress to treat its workforce.

A few examples of the impact a shutdown will have, or is having, on Fairfax County programs:

  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC): This program will be impacted by the shutdown resulting in the elimination of funding to pay the administrative costs of WIC at the federal level. Our Health Department is waiting for confirmation from the Virginia Department of Health on the status of WIC funding and if funding is not appropriated, awaiting determination of whether our Health Department WIC staff members are deemed essential or not. WIC and WIC-related grants fund 63 positions.
  • Energy Assistance: This is a discretionary grant program and is impacted by the shutdown.
  • Child Care Assistance: This is a block grant program that will be impacted by the shutdown. State staff anticipates using prior year balances in the event of a short-term shutdown.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP (food stamps) is an entitlement program. Unexpended appropriations cannot be carried forward from year-to-year. State staff anticipates receiving guidance shortly from the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service regarding this program.
  • Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board: Staff anticipates that federal grant money received from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program will be negatively impacted.
  • Payments to Public Housing Authorities and for Housing Choice Vouchers will be made for October, but the status beyond October is unknown.
  • No new Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) requests will be processed.

My staff and I will continue to keep you informed as this regrettable drama continues to unfold. Please let us know if you have questions or need assistance.

***

October 1st marked the first day for uninsured individuals and families to begin to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The deadline for purchasing coverage is December 15th and insurance does not kick in until January 1st. I've included some information about this program and process in this October Byline. Bottom line, if you are already insured and satisfied with your coverage, nothing needs to change for you. The portion of the law that allows young adults up to age 26 to stay on their parents' insurance is already underway. For more information on this you can go the County's website health reform page or go directly to the Marketplace itself.

***

On Tuesday, Circuit Court Chief Judge Dennis Smith, following a two day hearing, ruled from the bench in favor of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) on all counts in NVTA's bond validation proceeding. This is very good news. A Final Order embodying the Court's findings, conclusions and rulings is scheduled to be entered on or before October 11th. Members of NVTA, including me, are very pleased with this outcome. We are eager to put this new state transportation funding to work relieving congestion and improving safety for motorists and travelers in Northern Virginia. For a refresher about House Bill 2313 which authorized this funding you can go to my March 2013 Special Transportation Byline(PDF). You can also find a wealth of data regarding NVTA and our first projects to be moved forward by going to NVTA's website at www.thenovaauthority.org/.

 

***

 

Despite these uncertain and difficult times, Fairfax County has some attractive opportunities to "smell the roses" during the beautiful month of October.  Visit www.fxva.com/our-community/ to find out more.

 

***

 

The Virginia General Election is only a month away (Nov. 5). See inside for information on absentee voting, how to register before the October 15 deadline, and more or visit our office of elections website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/.

 

***

 

Lastly, don't forget our small but important population of residents who live in the woods, in cars or hidden out of sight. Fairfax County has made it a priority to End Homelessness as we know it. Please consider registering your business or donating online as part of the October 18th 2013 Jeans Day Campaign to help end homelessness.

 

This year, you can turn $5 into $50,000 thanks to a Philip L. Graham Fund matching grant. See inside this byline for more information.

 

 Sincerely,

 

 

 

Sharon Bulova

 

Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

 

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What you need to know: Affordable Care Act

 
With so much dialogue centering around the new Federal healthcare law, I wanted to make sure residents have all the information necessary to navigate the law and changes to healthcare coverage.
The Marketplace for Individuals & Families
The Marketplace for Individuals & Families
 
First, the Health Insurance Marketplace is now open!

Open enrollment begins October 1, 2013 and lasts through March 31, 2014. In order to have coverage by January 1, 2014, individuals, families and small businesses must purchase insurance by December 15, 2013.

***The best way to undertsand the new law and aquire additional information is by visiting www.healthcare.gov or www.cuidadesalud.gov  
 
A list of helpful resources is also available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/healthreform.
  
If you're a consumer who needs a high level of support and/or in-person assistance in learning about or buying insurance through the Marketplace, use these resources: 1-888-392-5132 or 703-647-4748 and www.enroll-virginia.com.
  

2013 Election and School Bond

 

The November 5, 2013 election is right around the corner! Be sure to register and have all the necessary information you need to cast your vote and  participate in our great democracy. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections for information on registration, polling places, absentee voting, and more!

Important Dates 2013:

 It may also be helpful to familiarize yourself with an important bond referendum that will be featured on the ballot. Fairfax County voters will be asked to vote YES or NO on the $250 million school bond question in the general election. For more information visit: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bond/

 

Fall for Fairfax KidsFest

 

Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. is proud to present The 21st Annual Fall For Fairfax KidsFest, the premiere fall family festival in the Mid-Atlantic region.

 

Enjoy exciting, interactive and educational programs, entertainment and activities. Fall For Fairfax KidsFest is specially designed for families with elementary and pre-K aged children.

 

Admission for most activities and entertainment is free of charge! 
 



WHERE

On the grounds of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035. Plenty of FREE parking is available. For a map of the event, click here. Follow signs to visitor parking upon arrival.
 

WHEN

Saturday, October 5th from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. & Sunday, October 6th from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 

WHAT

3 stages of FREE entertainment including the Busch Gardens Kids Stage, the Inova Health Stage and the Cox Community Stage.

 

FREE to attend! Discount ride tickets for the KidWay MidWay are available by clicking here.

 

Activities include scarecrow making*, pumpkin painting*, public safety and recycling-themed exhibits, pony rides*, petting zoo, hay rides, model trains, instrument petting zoo, and the KidWay MidWay* (with more than a dozen rides and attractions).

 

Plus more than 75 exhibits, activities and great festival food!

*Indicates program fee applies

 

 

Jeans Day 2013

 
 
Jeans Day Fairfax is an awareness campaign and fundraiser for ending homelessness in our community sponsored by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Connection Newspapers, Apple Federal Credit Union, and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness in partnership with Fairfax-Falls Church businesses, nonprofit and civic organizations, Fairfax County employees, Fairfax County Public School employees, the faith community and individuals.

How it works: Register, donate $5, and wear jeans to work. It's that easy!

 

Since 2011, Jeans Day has involved over 200 organizations representing more than 10,000 employees. Register your business or donate online to help the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness in Putting the ZIP on Homelessness. Jeans Day 2013 is October 18.

 

 West Fairfax Hike and Bike

 

I wanted to share an opportunity for you to enjoy an autumn hike along a new, mostly wooded, long distance trail through the heart of western Fairfax County.

 

Join the Potomac Heritage Trail Association and the Sierra Club Potomac Regional Outing Program on October 26th and November 2nd for an opportunity to break in a new trail between Bull Run Regional Park and the Cross County Trail in Reston.

 

If you prefer to bike, the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) will be riding the same route on November 2nd. Additional information and details about this event can be found here.

 

 Workhouse Arts Center

  Lorton Workhouse

Join the Workhouse for Rocktoberfest!
 

 

Rocktoberfest is a fall festival benefiting the Metropolitan School of the Arts and One Voice. Enjoy a day of music, fun, games, crafts and much more with family and friends for a great cause! Stock up on dance gear and costumes at our charity sale!
 

Sunday, October 27, 12pm-4pm

Workhouse Arts Center Quad

9601 Ox Road

Lorton, VA 22079

 

Tickets: $10 - includes entertainment, seasonal drinks, crafts, face painting, and adventure activities.

 

Food, dance shoes, dance apparel and costumes available for purchase.