The 2019 General Assembly session adjourned on February 24 after a few hiccups.  Two weeks ago, I discussed the legislation that I passed.  In this column, I will explain various budget actions we took.

First, unlike the Federal Government, our budget is balanced as required by the Constitution of Virginia. Next, the General Assembly needed to address modifications to our tax code to bring it up to speed with changes made by Congress with the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2018.  This is usually labelled “conformity.”

“Straight conformity” would cause an additional $600 million of state revenue largely due to the interplay between the new increased federal standard deduction and the $10,000 cap on state and local taxes and mortgage interest (“SALT”).

We addressed this in two phases.  First, for the 2018 tax year, every taxpayer receives $110 refund if tax returns are filed before June 30.

For tax years 2020 through 2026, the state standard deduction is raised by $1,500 for individuals and $3,000 for joint filers.  This is worth about $86 per year for individuals or $172 per couple.  The budget also removes the $10,000 cap on SALT for state income taxes.  However, due to our low 5.75% state income tax rate, that is only worth roughly about $575 if you pay $20,000 of combined income taxes and mortgage interest or $1100 if you pay over $30,000 per year.

These combined actions took about $450 million out of our annual revenues on an annual basis or $2.7 billion over six years and limited our ability to fund multiple priorities.

Notwithstanding, we were able to fund a few things.  First, we increased secondary funds to secondary education by $50 million.  This included pushing the teacher pay increase from 3% to 5%, $12 million in new school counselors statewide, and $24.9 million in new dollars for At-Risk students.

Virginia’s state-supported universities received a $57.5 million increase in funds conditioned on a tuition freeze for 2019 and $168 million to build the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus at Potomac Yards in connection with the Amazon project.  We also added $5 million in support for our community colleges, $16.6 million to increase computer science degrees, and $4 million towards Virginia’s New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program (AKA “FastForward”).

We increased Virginia’s contribution to the Housing Trust Fund by $3 million per year to a total of $14 million per year.

The money committees also included my proposal to hire staff at prisons and study the Commonwealth’s ability to provide earlier reparative therapy to sex offenders in state prisons instead of waiting until they have completed their jail sentence.  Historically, providing these services in post-jail secure inpatient facility have cost nearly twice as much as prison.  Starting earlier and shortening civil commitment will save taxpayers millions.

We finally started the process of investing in rural broadband with a $15 million investment along with $1 million in Enterprise Zone grants to encourage solar.

Virginia’s cash reserves will stand at $1.45 billion at the end of the biennium which is a strong hedge against a downturn in the economy.

While the budget makes some progress, I also felt like it was a missed opportunity to make progress on long standing funding priorities because there are many priorities the General Assembly could have funded if we had not cut taxes.  First, our secondary education funding continues to lag behind our re-Great Recession historic commitment.  Virginia’s teachers remain some of the lowest paid in the nation.  Virginia’s higher education system remains a crown jewel, but our college tuitions are some of the highest in the nation.  We not only need to freeze tuition but roll it back.

Virginia also has thousands of families waiting for childcare subsidies so parents (mainly mothers) can go back to work. We still have 12,000 families waiting for Medicaid services for mentally and developmentally disabled children.

Virginia’s public employees remain significantly behind private sector wages which hurts retention and proficiency.  The construction backlog and staffing needs at Virginia’s State Parks is over $100 million while demand for parks skyrockets.

Please email me at [email protected] if you have any feedback!

It is one of my favorite days of the year — Christmas Eve — a time full of wonder, magic, and memories.

For so many, so much is possible on this day. Reuniting with family and friends, making new ones, serving your neighbors, and giving to the less fortunate are just some of the things that spring to mind on this day.

And there is a lot of uncertainty for many in our region facing furloughs with a Federal Government shutdown. The National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington, a symbol of peace not only for our region but around the world, has gone dark in the wake of the shutdown.

But we’ve been here before, and we all hope for quick resolution for the hundreds of thousands of government workers in our region, as well as business owners and non-government employees impacted by the shutdown.

And, I hope that just for a moment this Christmas, you put fear and politics aside and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, the music, and forget about your woes and do everything you can to bring a smile to the face of the person standing next to you.

Merry Christmas.

We’re about to say goodbye to 2018 and hello to a brand new year.

And as we do this time every year, we’re getting ready to take a look back at the biggest stories of the year based on the number of views each story received on our website.

From covering floods (it’s the rainiest year on record in Washington, D.C.), new toll lanes coming to Interstate 66, business expansions like Micron (Virginia’s largest economic deal ever) and Amazon, or the debate over how to best develop the last remaining rural pieces of property in our community, it’s been a busy year for local news.

This year also marked a change for us at Potomac Local, too.

• We listened to you and made an improved email newsletter that delivers local news you where you are.
  We hired a team of new reporters in an effort to expand the types of stories we cover, to deliver more trusted local news that matters to you.
• We invested more than $6,000 in a new website (a big investment for a small company like ours).
• And we launched a new premium subscription tier of content and now have more than 400 paying subscribers.

In the era of “fake news,” Potomac Local plays a vital role in strengthening the local news ecosystem by providing reporting on the local issues that impact us here at home. It’s what our subscribers trust us, and pay us to do.

In turn, a better-informed community is a stronger community. And our subscribers make Potomac Local stronger.

Right now, as of this writing, 20 more people can take advantage of a special offer to save 30% on an annual subscription to Potomac Local by using the coupon code STRONGER.

This offer, which started out at 30 coupons at the beginning of the month, ends Dec. 31, 2018, or whenever the remaining 20 coupons are claimed, whichever comes first.

We value your support and look forward to serving you as a paying subscriber in the coming year.

Healthy living can be tough, but for Dr. Adam Brown, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and Sentara Lake Ridge, he’s practicing what he preaches. Over the last year, Dr. Brown has lost 65 pounds through diet and exercise.

• It can be challenging to change habits. As a Doctor, what would you tell folks who are working on getting healthier?

I would first say — “You can do it!” As long as you can move and have the ability to make decisions about what and how you eat, you can do it. You can get healthier and feel better. Over the past year, I have had my own journey with getting healthier and feeling better, both mentally and physically. In the end, I have lost about 65 pounds since January 2018, losing from size 40 waist to a size 32. Change, however, takes planning, preparation, dedication and most importantly, support. Avoid gimmicks. They simply don’t work especially in the long run. You may have transient wins, but your goal should be to be healthier in life and not for just a season.

• Personally, you made some changes- what was the biggest help/tip/motivator for you?

Over the past year, I have made significant changes to my entire life and the results physically and mentally have been dramatic. Mentally, I recognized watching the news on a constant loop of negativity was unhealthy. So, I turned it off. That was so hard, but I just turned it off. Watching the same people day-in and day-out argue about the current state of the world, became unhealthy. I still read the newspaper and check in to the news occasionally, but let’s be honest, no matter which side of the political spectrum you are on, there is a lot of negativity out there. Replacing that negative focus on more positive things (i.e. exercise, spending time with friends and family) has made a huge difference.

Physically, I have altered my food choices and I exercise daily. I limit red meats and fried foods, increased healthy fruits and vegetables, and limited simple sugars and carbohydrates.  I educated myself on just how many calories were in the things I ate and I made substitutions. You would be surprised how many calories are in “healthy” foods like sushi or pasta. For example, instead of eating a large bowl of pasta with sauce, I eat twice as many vegetables and a smaller bowl of pasta. Instead of 2 sushi rolls, I had sashimi and a roll. The flavors are similar, but the volume shifts.

From an exercise perspective, I have also replaced sitting on the couch with movement like walking in the evenings, going to an exercise class or doing the elliptical at the gym. I also have turned to weight lifting 3-4 times a week. In effect, I break a sweat exercising 25-30 minutes every day. So what’s the result? I feel great! I can run 1, 2, 3 miles now without taking a break. Before, I got winded walking up my steps.

Seeing my body change and feeling better has been the biggest motivator. Just looking at pictures from my 40th birthday to now, are dramatic and keeps me engaged. I do not want to go back. While the change is slow, looking at the change over time keeps me going. But there are secondary motivators like my iPhone App. I use a fitness app to track my food consumption every. single. day. Yes, it seems tedious, but it has kept me honest and educated about my choices throughout the entire process. My circle of friends and my spouse have been motivating as well. But here’s the key – I needed a friend or buddy to walk with me on this journey not just shout from the sidelines. Both my spouse and one of my best friends have walked with me the entire way. They both have lost weight, built lean muscle, and are living a healthier life. At times, we have struggled, but have brushed ourselves off and started getting healthier again.

• What do you wish everyone knew in their quest to take control of their health?

I wish people could feel as good as I feel. It’s life-changing. And it’s a healthy life change that I controlled and managed. It’s also so affirming to hear the positive comments and the cheers from the sidelines as I have been on this journey.

Lastly, I want people to know that they can control many of their health conditions. So many of our health conditions can be reversed with healthy living. When I turned 40, I had borderline high blood pressure, borderline cholesterol and weighed 256 pounds. Now, I have low blood pressure, low cholesterol, and a low resting heart rate all due to diet and exercise changes. No medications.

This post is sponsored by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

By Eliut Morales

The holidays are coming up, and for the next few weeks, shopping malls will be filled with people shopping for gifts for their loved ones. If you happen to be at Manassas Mall this holiday season, be sure to look up, and you’ll find our new banner hanging above Santa’s picture station!

You see banners and advertisements at shopping malls all the time, so it may not seem like a big deal to most. For us, however, it means a great deal. The opportunity to be represented in what may be the most populated part of the mall in December means that we’ll be able to reach out to many more families about all we have to offer! Many people will be at Santa’s station to take pictures with him, and our banner will be there for everyone to see!

The pictures on the banner are only a glimpse of all the fun and exciting programs we have waiting for you. After you’re done shopping, check out Breakfast with Santa or the Light Parade to get in the holiday spirit! We’re very excited for the opportunity to show families all of the recreational activities that are right in their neighborhood.

So if you’re at Manassas Mall shopping this holiday season and find our banner, be sure to take a selfie and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Don’t forget to tag us by using the hashtag #MPCC2018! We look forward to seeing all the new faces that will be stopping by thanks to this opportunity. You belong here!

The Manassas Park Community Center is located at 99 Adams Street in Manassas Park, VA, Managed by the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and recreation, the facility is home to basketball courts, a swimming pool, wellness areas, special events, and recreational classes. For more information visit us at manassasParkCommunityCenter.com or call at 703-335-8872.

This post was written and sponsored by Manassas Park Community Center

• Youth for Tomorrow needs volunteer mentors to spend a couple of hours a week with young person. We’ve all had good people support us along the way- here’s your chance to do the same. You can apply online at:www.youthfortomorrow.org <http://www.youthfortomorrow.org/> or by calling Vernell at (703) 396-7203 to learn more.
• The City of Manassas needs volunteers at the Winter Wonderland Train Show at the Center for the Arts. It’s a fun opportunity for all including teens age 16+. The show is December 12th-14th from 5-8pm, December 15th from 10am-5pm and December 16th 10am-4pm. You can register online at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E48A8AE2DA1F49-volunteers or email Christen for more info at [email protected].
• The Un Trim A Tree Holiday Gift Program is in full swing and needs your help to provide toys and warm clothes to needy kids in our community. We still have 300 little people who are waiting to be “adopted!” It’s simple and fun to share the joy by buying 2 gifts for each child from their wish list. Please visit http://www.volunteerprincewilliam.org to learn more.
• The Sweet Julia Grace organization is spreading Christmas Cheer to children and families with cancer. Please visit their Facebook page http://facebook.com/sweetjuliagrace for all the ways you can help.
• Literacy Volunteers of America are gearing up for their next volunteer tutor training on January 5th and 19th. Come learn all the skills needed to make a significant impact on another’s life. Please call (703) 670-5702 for more info and to register for this training.
• The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is looking for volunteers age 55+ to deliver noon meals through the Meals on Wheels Program. Shifts are just 2-3 hours and available in throughout the greater area. RSVP members receive a mileage reimbursement and additional insurance coverage at no cost to the volunteer. Please call Jan at (571) 292-5307 to learn more.
• Leesylvania State Park needs volunteers for their monthly shoreline cleanups to pick up trash and drift wood. The work days are January 19th, February 16th, March 23rd, April 13th and May 18th. Please register by calling the visitor center at (703) 583-6904 so they have your name to waive the entry fee of the park.
• The Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps needs both medical and non-medical volunteers to join their ranks. These volunteers are trained to respond to public health emergencies as well as day to day activities. They offer tons of training topics to build your skillset. Please call Amy at (703) 792-7341 to learn more.
• The Center for the Arts needs volunteer docents Monday – Friday during the day. This volunteer opportunity includes greeting visitors and sharing the Center’s history and programs. Please call Jordan at (703) 330-2787 to learn more.
• House of Mercy also needs lots of help and food donations year-round to feed over 400 families a month. Hold a food drive, share this on all your outlets and give them a call at: (703) 659-1636 to learn more.
• Catholic Charities Hogar Center is looking volunteers to assist students with job applications, resumes, and mock interviews to prepare them for the workforce. Please email Arielle at [email protected] to learn more.

The December Competitive Edge Athlete of the Month is Kieara “Kiki” Edwards.

Flosoftball ranked Edwards, a senior at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas,
number 88 for the class of 2019 softball players. Athletes are selected based on the AthPro360 performance index, interviews with elite club coaches and scouts, and general high school and travel statistics.

Edwards was a key player for the East Cobb Bullets. She helped them win the 2018 Triple Crown 18u National Championship last summer.

Edwards’ high school softball team won the 2016 Virginia 6A State Championships and was runner-up in the 2017 Virginia 6a State Championships.  In over 200 at-bats, Edwards has only had five strikeouts in her high school seasons. She has received All-Conference and All-Region titles.

Now Edwards plays for the 18U Birmingham Thunderbolts who ranked number one in the 16U National NPS Ranking.

In Fall, Edwards will be attending Mississippi State University where she is committed to play softball.

Q: How long have you been training at Competitive Edge?
A: I began training at Competitive Edge the summer before my tenth grade year in 2016.

Q: What makes Competitive Edge unique?
A: Training at Competitive Edge provides an environment that develops and feeds competition. On any given day, you will train with/around District One (D1) and D1 bound athletes. Also, the facility layout for softball/baseball allows me to get an amazing workout for both offense and defense.

Q: What is your favorite type of workout and why?
A: I am constantly working to become a better hitter. Regardless of how I perform, I can always be better. I hit five days a week at Competitive Edge, mainly focusing on improving my swing and correcting any issues. In a normal session, I will hit between 250-400 balls. I also enjoy the Vertimax and agility classes. As an outfielder, it is important to keep my reflexes quick and my body strong and balanced.

Q: What has been your greatest athletic success?
A: Softball is typically known as a game of failure, so anytime you have a great game, win a tournament, or have an overall awesome season, it is a huge accomplishment. My greatest athletic success was during my 2016 softball season: My high school team, Osbourn Park, won the Virginia 6A State Championship, and my travel team, East Cobb Bullets, won the prestigious Independence Day 16U Championship in Boulder, Colo. During that summer season, I hit a grand slam off of a pitcher headed to play in the PAC 12 which was huge in my recruitment to Mississippi State. My ultimate success was my verbal commitment to play softball at Mississippi State University in October 2016.

Q: What has been the most difficult part of your journey to fitness?
A: In Sept. 2017, I had surgery on my left foot to correct a bone issue. The physical and mental recovery after the surgery was one of the most difficult challenges I had to deal with as an athlete. After not being able to run or bear-weight on my foot for over 6 months, I had to re-teach myself, along with the help of my physical therapist, how to engage the lower half of my body in my swing and while running. I spent numerous hours training at Competitive Edge.

Q: How did you initially react when you learned that you were Athlete of the Month?
A: When the Competitive Edge staff shared that I was going to be recognized as the Athlete of the Month, I was surprised and elated. I immediately shared the news with my family.

Q: What does being the Competitive Edge Athlete of the Month mean to you?
A: There are tons of athletes in the Prince William County area, and for Competitive Edge to want to recognize my accomplishments was a huge honor. As competitive athletes, we train extremely hard, we don’t have the same social life as a regular teenager, and we spend hours training, competing, and traveling, so to be recognized is amazing and heartwarming.

Q: What motivates you to get out of bed and workout each day?
A: Knowing that someone else is out of their bed working to get better motivates me. My parents have always told me that everyone is your competition and that there is someone out there that wants it just as bad or more, so don’t stop grinding.

Q: What is the most beneficial part of being an athlete?
A: Being an athlete keeps me focused and dedicated to my goals, both academic and athletic. There are no days off when you are grinding to get better and be successful.

Q: How will you continue to maintain your fitness in college?
A: At Mississippi State University, we have a conditioning coach that is dedicated to the softball program. I am certain my fitness program will intensify, and I look forward to becoming more physically fit and a better athlete.

Q: What are your goals in the next ten years?
A: My goals are to become 2019 6A State Champions,  2019 Independence Day National 18u Champions, and 2019 PGF 18u National Champions. I also want to win an NCAA National Championship, have a successful softball career at Mississippi State University, graduate with a BS in Kinesiology, obtain my Ph.D. and become a Physical Therapist, work for the NFL as a Physical therapist, and get a Super Bowl ring!

Q: Do you have any advice to up-and-coming athletes?
A: To all of the younger softball players and those aspiring to play in college, keep working hard and dreaming big. The sky is the limit as long as you are willing to outwork the competition!

This post is sponsored by Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center in Woodbridge.