Ken Reid thanks voters and volunteers and other helpers; congratulates opponent for winning!
Last night, I telephoned Saddam Salim to concede the election for state senate and emailed him this today.
Dear Saddam
I telephoned the 571 number on your web site last night to congratulate you on your victory but decided to send an email today because I am unsure if that went through.
Congratulations on your victory and mazel tov, as we say in Hebrew. Despite my best efforts, voters still wanted a "D" not an "R" It's a shame voters no longer vote for candidates based on results and ideas, just national partisan issues, but it doesn't mean you have to govern that way as a state senator.
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I wish you the best in Richmond and you will be in the majority which makes it a lot better, but hope the Democrats who now control the General Assembly will chart a pragmatic course and not go overboard on wild extreme actions. I hope for bipartisan cooperation from Republicans, too, but I can only hope for that.
A lot has to be done for Fairfax County since we've lost a lot of experienced people with seniority (like Eileen Filler Corn and Dick Saslaw and Chap Petersen). It means the committees of the House and Senate will be controlled by folks downstate, who often do not have Northern Virginia's best interests in mind.
Please pay very close attention to the legislative agendas for the County Supervisors and the cities in our district and Vienna.
I also had some ideas for legislation on my web site you may want to look at. Most of it is not partisan, like reforming the composite index. Www.kenreid.org/legislation
I also hope Chap Petersen will sit down with you and guide you on a transition. It's the least he can do. Please contact him.
Take care, good luck, and Shalom.
Thank you and kind regards!
Hon. Kenneth “Ken” Reid
Candidate, Virginia State Senate District 37 (703) 779-8777
former Supervisor and Councilmember, Town of Leesburg (2006-2017)
Facebook: KenReidStateSenate web: KenReid.org
Author: The Six Secrets to Winning Any Local Election & Navigating Elected Office Once You WIn!
Ken is a Strong Leader on Transportation and Traffic Tax Relief
Ken was the pivotal vote to bring the Silver Line to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County in 2012 and has been at the forefront of advocating (and getting built) a number of highways in the Greater DC area. He will advocate for more interchanges on Fairfax County Parkway and Route 50, which are often bottle necks, PLUS getting I-95 widened all the way to Richmond and widening I 81 in the Shenandoah Valley. He also wants to equalize the tolls on I-66 inside the Beltway with the tolls outside the Beltway on 66. but allow HOV-2 drivers to use these lanes (and on 495) free or at a lower toll rate.
Taxes and Spending
Ken supports state income tax cuts to help Virginians hurting from inflation, high gas prices, and high interest rates -- but does not favor tax cuts that would hurt vital programs (like education). Let's repeal nuisance taxes on gas and plastic grocery bags. Regulations that make it hard for people to go into business or maintain a business must be revised.
Education
Ken supports a state Parents Bill of Rights and enabling access to curriculum by taxpayers. He also supports greater transparency in local government including school boards. Books should not be "banned" but subject to parental-teacher-administration review, and the content (whether in libraries or the classroom) should be age-appropriate.
We must teach kids how to think, not what to think, and ensure public schools still have Honors and Gifted and Talented programs, while giving struggling kids the help they need to succeed -- and ensure all children are safe at school.
We must teach kids how to think, not what to think, and ensure public schools still have Honors and Gifted and Talented programs, while giving struggling kids the help they need to succeed -- and ensure all children are safe at school.
Crime and Law Enforcement
Virginia's violent crime rate saw a 10% increase over last year, and the property crime rate also jumped.
In 2022, in Fairfax County there were 936 crimes against person cases, compared to 1,187 as of Feb. 15, 2023 -- and property crimes (like theft, breakins) were up by 925 cases in just one year!
In addition, there are some 180 open positions for police officers for the County Police. Across Virginia, and much of the nation, departments in urban areas cannot find officers. Why?
It's because politicians "defanged" the police and prosecutors with so-called "Criminal Justice Reform" laws to appease extremist activists. These so-called "reforms" only make it easier for some to live a life of crime vs. being productive citizens.
Instead, Ken wants to create a pilot program to place at-risk students in apprenticeship and personality development programs and get them out of crime infested impoverished communities. We also need to boost funding for Community Police Partnerships and give the police the tools they need to do their jobs. Ken Reid has been endorsed by Polce Officers' Defense Coaltion, based in Fairfax CIty
In 2022, in Fairfax County there were 936 crimes against person cases, compared to 1,187 as of Feb. 15, 2023 -- and property crimes (like theft, breakins) were up by 925 cases in just one year!
In addition, there are some 180 open positions for police officers for the County Police. Across Virginia, and much of the nation, departments in urban areas cannot find officers. Why?
It's because politicians "defanged" the police and prosecutors with so-called "Criminal Justice Reform" laws to appease extremist activists. These so-called "reforms" only make it easier for some to live a life of crime vs. being productive citizens.
Instead, Ken wants to create a pilot program to place at-risk students in apprenticeship and personality development programs and get them out of crime infested impoverished communities. We also need to boost funding for Community Police Partnerships and give the police the tools they need to do their jobs. Ken Reid has been endorsed by Polce Officers' Defense Coaltion, based in Fairfax CIty
Healthcare
Ken opposes political interference to restrict the prescribing of Rx drugs and medical devices (including abortion drugs). Congress delegated the authority over medical product approval and marketing to the US Food and Drug Administration, and the "commerce clause" of the Constitution prohibits state interference with interstate commerce. (Seee more details below)
Ken would like to see community health centers expanded to help folks without insurance or access to specific medical services due to the fact many providers do not serve Medicaid and Medicare patients.
RIGHT -- Ken Reid in front of FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. Ken covered FDA as a reporter and editor since 1986 and from 1991 until 2021, ran his own publishing business, devoted to providing news and analysis of FDA regulations and policies (Washington Information Source Co.). Ken understands the healthcare issue.
RIGHT -- Ken Reid in front of FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. Ken covered FDA as a reporter and editor since 1986 and from 1991 until 2021, ran his own publishing business, devoted to providing news and analysis of FDA regulations and policies (Washington Information Source Co.). Ken understands the healthcare issue.
At present, 57% of abortions in Virginia are by medication (Mifeprex, misoprostol) for up to 10 weeks of gestation, and growing in use (about 52% of all abortions in the US). If elected to the State Senate, I would not want the General Assembly to try to impose a different regulatory regime as it would set a bad precedence for other drugs and devices. I support FDA pre-emption and the commerce clause of the Constitution which prohibits states from interfering with what FDA has approved. I spent 35 years writing about FDA and other health issues, and while the agency doesn't always get it right (like opioids and compounded medicines), this drug was approved in 2000 and has not warranted any safety or efficacy problems that has led the agency to try to remove it. Gov Youngkin's proposal is to restrict surgical abortions in Virginia after 15 weeks of gestation, which the states can regulate now under the Dobbs decision, but allow exceptions for incest, rape and a mother's health. The "mother's health" seems to be broader than what some states are doing and restricting abortion "if the mother's life is at risk." CDC data for 2020 shows that if that law is enacted, it would impact only 346 abortions in Virginia -- and there are options for women post 15 weeks in other states. I will keep an open mind on his proposal, but if the proposal is enacted as is, it would probably do away with few of these procedures in Virginia. And abortion up to term -- which I think is very reare -- is available in other states.
Tree Canopy Preservation (mature trees)
When Ken Reid served on the Leesburg Town Council (first time, 2006 to 2011), he was among Northern Virginia elected officials who successfully got legislation approved in 2008 to give municipalities more authority to safe old-growth mature trees.
A number of towns and citys have adopted "Tree Ordinances" and Ken was the Councils liasion to the Leesburg Tree Commission for four years. Leesburg had devastating tree loss. However, the law has really not done much to save old trees from being cut down and replaced by saplings.
Trees are vitally important for human health and the environment -- and even human mental well being.
He takes no position on the Town of Vienna's current tree ordinance options and has no plans to step into local decision making, but if elected to the State Senate, Ken would like to seek legislation to preserve "Street trees" (essentially, Trees in the right of way) especially during public works projects. Ken has been very upset at how mature old-growth trees are mowed down during highway, transit construction and sewer projects. But is cognizant of property rights and the right of property owners to remove trees for projects. His goal is to preserve street trees for all to enjoy.
RIGHT -- One of Ken's first victories -- working with citizens to keep Dominion Power from clear-cutting 20,000 trees on the W&OD Trail for power lines, which were eventually realigned along Route 15 and 7 in Loudoun County. Photo taken in February 2006.
Affordable housing
Housing affordability is hurting our region, as Ken has learned being a member of Fairfax County's Tenant Landlord Commission (Ken is a renter in Tysons). We have so many working folks and retirees who are finding Fairfax County to be exclusionary. It's important for the General Assembly to examine tax and regulatory incentives to enable developers to provide more affordable units for rent and to buy. Converting vacant malls and office parks is a good start to build subsidized condos, but we need more 3-bedroom units for families and more active adult and assisted living -- because that will enable seniors to sell their homes to needy families and downsize. But we should not be adding density in areas outside Metro stations with congested roads and streets. To learn more, email Ken at campaign@kenreid.org
