This weekend was the first Democratic straw poll for the 2009 campaign – and Hampton Roads Democrats OVERWHELMINGLY chose Brian Moran for Governor.

The straw poll was part of an annual Memorial Day Bash in Norfolk.

For the past seven years, Brian has been traveling across the state in support of strong Democratic candidates. He’s led House Democrats to their largest gains since Herbert Hoover was President. In that time, he helped elect former Navy commanders and police officers, community leaders and school teachers, and many more. People across Virginia have come to know Brian and are showing their support.

Democrats all over Virginia are stepping up to help Brian as he gets ready for 2009. Just in the past few weeks he’s been asked to help fire up Democrats for 2008 – from the Shenandoah Valley to Fairfax County, from Richmond to Norfolk.

This week, Brian traveled to Bedford and Manassas to announce the impact of Alicia's Law, a Moran initiative that doubles the capacity of state law enforcement to catch online child sexual predators. The new resources in Alicia's Law mean more training, more officers, and new technology in the fight to protect Virginia's children. Brian was joined by Alicia Kozakiewicz, Sherriff Mike Brown of Bedford, Captain Tim Evans of Fairfax, TV Star Erik Estrada and police from across the Commonwealth to celebrate this victory.

Alicia Kozakiewicz was abducted by a Virginia man, abused, and held in his basement for days. Now she's a strong voice for children and victims, and fought hard for the passage of the law that bears her name with Brian. Click here to learn more about Alicia's experience and Brian's work with her on WUSA.

Law enforcement has identified over 20,000 computers in Virginia with child pornography on them.

"Delegate Brian Moran has moved the fight against the Internet sexual predators into overdrive with the passage of Alicia's Law," said Bedford Sheriff Mike Brown. "His tenacious pursuit of this funding project sets the standard for future efforts in protecting our children from the sexual predators that use the Internet for their unconscionable acts."

"Alicia's Law is a victory for human rights," said Grier Weeks with the National Association to Protect Children. "It is the boldest state effort yet to fight back against the evil of child exploitation."

Check out coverage of the announcement from WSET in Roanoke, the Roanoke Times, and the Potomac News.

Brian joined the Virginia Professional Firefighters for their annual convention in Williamsburg, Virginia at Great Wolfe Lodge. He was introduced by VPFF President Mike MOhler as a “guy who has been with us since he started in politics.” Brian spoke about his support for local law enforcement and first responders. He pledge his commitment to the Line of Duty Act.

Brian also used the opportunity to talk about the pressing issue of transportation and what transportation means to our first responders. He asked Virginia’s firefighters to join he and Governor Kaine to support a sustainable solution to our traffic and transportation crisis.

Yesterday saw the launch of the Business One Stop Portal, the first phase of a new program to keep Virginia competitive by helping entrepreneurs cut costs and navigate state requirements for starting a new business.

“It can take weeks to collect all of the information and paperwork to start a business in Virginia. We expect this system will cut that time in half,” said Delegate Moran. “New businesses will form the foundation of our economic recovery, so I’ve worked hard to streamline government and make it easier for small businesses to get their start. Virginia is already the best state in the country for business – we need to keep it that way.”

Today, Virginia Business reports on the launch of the new portal.

Entrepreneurs can now visit the Business One Stop Portal to receive a customized list of necessary licensing, permitting and registration requirements to start a business. Launched during Virginia Business Appreciation Week, the service is free for its first 90 days.

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“This is one of the best resources the Commonwealth has ever produced for helping its new and existing small businesses,” said Julia Ciarlo Hammond, the Virginia director of the National Federation of Independent Business, in a statement.

Bobbie Kilberg, President & CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council also expressed excitement about the portal.

“We believe this will keep Virginia competitive as a preferred place to start a business and help entrepreneurs reduce their transaction costs with government so they can instead focus on hiring talented employees, bringing their products to market and growing their bottom lines,” said Bobbie Kilberg, President & CEO, Northern Virginia Technology Council. The NVTC was a strong supporter of the Business One Stop legislation. “We applaud Delegate Brian Moran for sponsoring the legislation and Governor Kaine for ensuring its successful implementation.”

Click here to read the full press release that accompanied the launch, and click here to start your own business!

On Sunday, the Virginian-Pilot published an op-ed by Brian that lays out a proven, common sense solution to our transportation crisis and one that doesn’t pile on costs at the gas pump.

Rather than increasing the gas tax, Brian’s op-ed proposes a 1-penny increase in the sales tax, much of which will come from the tourists and commerce that flows through Virginia.

Brian’s plan invests $1 billion in our statewide transportation infrastructure, with specific funds dedicated to Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads

Read full entry »

Brian spoke to the 7th District Democratic Convention this past Saturday at Short Pump Middle School in Richmond. Brian was there to fire up Democrats for the 2008 election and rally support behind Anita Hartke for Congress and Mark Warner for US Senate.

Over 200 7th District Democrats gathered at the event and the air was electric. Brian also spoke to the 3rd district convention in Newport News. You can listen to Brian’s speech to 7th District Democrats below: