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Health & Fitness

Senator Herring Provides Legislative Updates, Discusses Campaign at Ashby Ponds

At Ashby Ponds, Senator Herring recently provided updates from the 2013 legislative session and spoke briefly about the reasons he is running for the office of Attorney General.

On Monday, March 11, Senator Mark Herring (D-33rd) visited with residents at Ashby Ponds retirement community.  Sponsored by the resident-run Community Interest Committee, Herring provided updates from the recently completed legislative session in Richmond.  He also spoke briefly about the reasons he is running for the office of Attorney General in Virginia. 

Herring shared some of the major policy updates from the 2013 legislative session, his 8th since being elected to the Senate of Virginia.  He indicated the transportation bill that ultimately passed is estimated to bring in $900 million statewide for transportation costs.  Herring also said that there is a regional aspect to the bill declaring that the money raised in Northern Virginia will stay in Northern Virginia.  He said that there were parts of the bill that he did not necessarily agree with from a policy standpoint, such as the $100 annual fee on hybrids, but that the bill was a great example of compromise.  “We needed to do something,” said Herring, who noted that the state had been struggling with how to address issues related to declining revenue for transportation needs. 

Herring also touched on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, indicating that it is wise for Virginia to work in partnership with the federal government to tailor how the exchange will work.   Herring also spoke about a bill that he introduced that would make it a felony to deliberately financially exploit seniors or incapacitated adults.  This bill was passed during the 2013 session after a multi-year effort among Herring and several other groups including, but not limited to, the Fairfax County Financial Crimes Division, AARP, and the Commonwealth’s Attorneys.

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Regarding his run for Attorney General, Herring noted the office of Attorney General is supposed to act as a “guardian of the public interest”.  He said that one of the reasons he is running for the office is because there is currently too much politics in the office and too little problem-solving.  As Attorney General, Herring said he would fight for issues like protecting citizens from fraud and abuse, making the internet a safer place, and combating the manufacture and distribution of dangerous designer drugs. The Democratic primary will be held on June 11 for the November 5 election.

Finally, Herring noted that on April 3 there will be a reconvened (veto) session where the Senate will decide whether to sustain or override gubernatorial vetoes and whether to accept or reject proposed bill amendments.

Find out what's happening in Ashburnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

About Ashby Ponds: Ashby Ponds, one of 16 retirement communities managed by Erickson Living, is situated on a scenic 132-acre campus in Ashburn, Virginia (approximately 30 miles west of Washington, D.C.). The community is home to over 700 residents and is filled with fascinating people and fantastic opportunities. With over 100 resident-run and resident-driven clubs and groups, an indoor pool, a fitness club, transportation services, 24-hour security, and flexible dining options, life at Ashby Ponds offers a true sense of community and is an exciting alternative to the typical retirement community. More information about Ashby Ponds can be found at: www.ericksonliving.com.

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