An annual ritual took place Saturday at the McLean Community Center: McLean's three representatives  to the Virginia General Assembly talked about their plans for the legislative session that began Jan. 12 and listened to constituents' requests.

State Sen.  Janet Howell (D-Reston/McLean) and state delegates Jim Scott (D-Falls Church/McLean) and Barbara Comstock (R-McLean/Great Falls) were also joined by Dranesville  Supervisor John Foust . The gathering occurred exactly a week after U.S. Rep. Kathy Giffords of Arizona was shot and seriously wounded while meeting her constituents in Tucson. Six people were killed and 13 others wounded.

“It’s wonderful that we’re all here together in a public meeting today,” Comstock said in reference to the shootings.

Job creation, schools, and transportation were the major themes of the morning gathering.

Job creation.  All three legislators said creating new jobs and retention was one of their top priorities, noting that Virginia is currently third in the country in this aspect. At 6.8 percent, Virginia has the ninth lowest unemployment rate in the country; Fairfax County is lower at 4.5 percent.

“Job creation is a big focus,” Howell said. “Last session we created $50 million in job creation and retention.” She is also working to introduce a bill that will monitor how successful some of these jobs created have been.

Transportation. Scott cited the noise walls needed to shield neighbors from the noise of the new subway line and the new toll lanes under construction in the middle of the Beltway. On the new Metro line, he said there were budgeting concerns on whether to borrow the money to cover transportation costs.  Howell said that most of the debt would likely be covered by the general fund, so they would have to be sensitive in deciding the amount of debt.

 “We have been fortunate economically,” she said. “But we cut over $4 billion of our general funds as well as $3 billion previously. Our general fund programs are reeling.”

Comstock, a member of the transportation committee, said  she is co-sponsoring with Sen. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun) a bill that would provide a telecommuting tax credit for companies who allow their employees to work from home.

Schools. All-day kindergarten was a popular topic.  She said her district has the lowest number of all-day kindergarten classes and the county itself is behind the whole state.

“We have a high number of working mothers in this area,” she said. “These part-time options force parents to use private day care, and not use their tax dollars.” 

The subject of school nutrition was also introduced by McLean resident MaryAnn Lastova who asked the legislators to back a nutrition task force that was currently in place and supported by Superintendent Jack Dale. The benefits so far include a salad bar at McLean High School, and no pop-tarts at breakfast.

Local Participation. The full event, which Howell called "the best turnout" in its 20-year existence, went on for over two hours with local residents voicing concerns  on issues ranging from local environmental issues and the privatization of ABC liquor stores, to redistricting.

Howell, who chairs the senate's Privileges and Elections committee, said the U.S. Census Bureau must send Virginia the data it needs to start the redistricting process. The Census Bureau has said it will send Virginia a breakdown of its 8 million people by race and over and under 18 by mid-February.  Her committee will recommend a plan for redrawing the political boundaries for the state's 40 Virginia senate seats an 100 House of Delegate seats.