All results / Stories / Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum, State Delegate (D-36)
Commentary: Stemming Gun Violence
While President Obama in his statement about the Trayvon Martin case reminded us, “we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken,” he went on to say that “we should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis.”
Shots Heard Around the World
Newtown, Conn., joined a list topped by Blacksburg, Va., of the scenes of the most tragic mass murders in our history. This list contributes to the United States having 80 percent of all firearm deaths among the 23 populous, high-income countries in the world. Over a million people have been killed with guns in the United States since 1968 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. In one year, 31,593 people died from gun violence and 66,769 people survived gun injuries. These statistics are from the Brady Campaign that has even more shocking numbers with documentation at its website, www.bradycampaign.org.
Column: The White House of Virginia
Even then and until today, I find it fascinating to stand in a place of importance.
Opinion: Commentary: Facial Recognition as a Legislative Issue
One of the side-effects of the global pandemic and the resulting quarantine has been the difficulty of recognizing others after months of not seeing each other in person.
Commentary: Taking a Toll on Virginians
Governor Bob McDonnell came to Tysons Corner last week to participate in a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the opening for the 495 Express Lanes that took place on Nov. 17.
Commentary
Five Million Dollars a Day
Virginia taxpayer dollars not returned to them has amounted to five million dollars each day since Jan. 1, and will continue at that rate each day that Virginia refuses to expand its Medicaid program. In addition, at least 400,000 working Virginians will continue to be uninsured.
Commentary: Too Good to Pass Up
In 2001, over 900,000 Virginians were living below the poverty line with an annual household income for a family of four under $23,050. Over 416,000 of these Virginians were living in deep poverty with a family of four having an annual household income under $11,525. Of the total, 270,000 were children, the highest number of children living in poverty in Virginia since 1998.
Commentary: Reconvened Session—2016
The Library of Virginia has an informative new exhibit “First Freedom” that includes documents on the passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom penned by Thomas Jefferson and passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1786.
Column: Return on Investment
Constituents contacted me recently about a Richmond Times Dispatch article headline they felt was misleading: “Ken Plum says Pre-K education leads to less crime and welfare.”
Column: Northern Virginia by the Numbers
Most people know the biggest and best numbers about Northern Virginia. We live in a remarkable region of the country. Some of our jurisdictions have among the highest incomes in the country. The educational attainment of adults is among the highest in the country.
Role Model for Leadership
Commentary
Former Senator Charles J. Colgan passed away earlier this month.
Opinion: Commentary: Gun Violence Epidemic
Three people were shot to death in Herndon last week—a mother and her two children, in an incident the police termed “horrific.”
Column: Over a Cup of Coffee
My pre-session public hearings are always informative. The hearings help me gauge public opinion on a variety of issues. And constituents provide excellent suggestions on state government.
Defeating Obamacare
Commentary
In a speech on the floor of the House of Delegates recently I spoke of experiences I had in my first years as a member when others in the House smoked during the daily floor sessions. One member was notorious for lighting up a long cigar. A cloud of smoke hung over the House chamber. I explained that I was reminded of that cloud of smoke when in recent weeks I have listened to a series of speeches by members of the majority party explaining why they do not support expansion of Medicaid. You can listen to my speech at http://youtube/Vl6Bky8zjWE.
Opinion: Commentary: Epidemic Surge in Gun Violence
While public attention has been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic many missed the epidemic surge in gun violence that has been occurring in this country.