Brian Moran - Moran Memo

Improving Rural Health Care

2008-09-26T14:50:00Z

The following is an excerpt from a recent op-ed that Brian published in the Bristol Herald Courier :

...during my recent visit to the Wise County Fairgrounds to see the Remote Area Medical (RAM) Expedition. RAM is the nation’s largest free basic health-care event and this all-volunteer event is an important reminder of our shared commitment to leveling the playing field for everyone.

But this visit also made clear that our efforts to increase health care access in rural Virginia have not done nearly enough.

As I watched one line snake around a tent four times – and saw hundreds waiting for basic health and dental care– I knew that this event serves as powerful proof of our failure to ensure adequate health care for every Virginian. Organizers estimate over 2500 received care over the three days, but as many as 1000 more were turned away.

In a prosperous state in the most powerful nation on earth, it is a simple fact that no one should be denied access to health care. Early health care intervention is not only a moral imperative; it also saves resources. It is much more cost effective to make blood pressure screening and medication available than it is to treat a stroke. Regular dental cleanings are more cost effective than fashioning a new set of teeth.

This visit highlighted what I’ve learned as I prepare my campaign for Governor: Intelligence and ability are equally distributed across this Commonwealth, but investment and opportunity are not.

As thankful as we all are for the volunteers who make this event a success each year, health care access should not be limited to one weekend in July, it should be available year round. As proud as we are of the work at RAM, we will only be successful when we have expanded health care access to the point where this event is no longer necessary.

Read the whole op-ed.

A Vision for Virginia’s Energy, Economy and Environmental Future

2008-09-14T15:02:00Z

Brian spoke to the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club yesterday, outlining his vision for Virginia’s energy economy and environmental future. He pledged a focus on economic growth while defining his measure of success as “the legacy we leave to the next generation.”

From the speech:

We can create jobs by investing in a 21st century energy economy. That means putting Virginians to work in good, high-paying jobs in green construction, bringing manufacturing jobs back by investing in wind turbines and creating new industries by investing in alternative energy research.

From the capitol in Richmond to the halls of Washington, it’s going to take a joint commitment – the type of commitment we haven’t seen since John Kennedy challenged us to land a man on the moon,” said Moran. “It’s going to take another Apollo mission to get this done. Virginia can’t lead our nation, and our nation can’t lead this world, if we stay behind in this race.

Josh from Raising Kaine wrote:

Brian Moran has set the bar for responsible energy policy in the 2009 race. There's a lot for pragmatic progressives to appreciate in Moran's approach. Of the current contenders for the office, Moran is clearly leading this issue.

Decision Virginia also covered the speech.

Watch the speech:

Brian Moran Calls for New Environmental Leadership

2008-09-14T14:40:00Z

Important speech on the leadership needed for economic growth and innovation

CHESTERFIELD –Today House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran outlined his approach to the Commonwealth’s environmental and energy challenges. Speaking to the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, Moran reviewed his experience, explained his values and discussed his vision for Virginia’s energy economy and environmental future. Moran pledged a focus on economic growth while defining his measure of success as “the legacy we leave to the next generation.”

The full text of his remarks is here. This is the second in a series of important remarks on public policy challenges facing Virginia.

“We can create jobs by investing in a 21st century energy economy,” Delegate Moran said. “That means putting Virginians to work in good, high-paying jobs in green construction, bringing manufacturing jobs back by investing in wind turbines and creating new industries by investing in alternative energy research.”

During his remarks, he highlighted his work as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and chief legislative partner to Governors Warner and Kaine. He highlighted his long-time environmental record including his 100 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters in 2008. Moran discussed his work to promote LEED construction, create tax credits for renewable energy production, and invest in mass transit and rail.

“From the capitol in Richmond to the halls of Washington, it’s going to take a joint commitment – the type of commitment we haven’t seen since John Kennedy challenged us to land a man on the moon,” said Moran. “It’s going to take another Apollo mission to get this done. Virginia can’t lead our nation, and our nation can’t lead this world, if we stay behind in this race.”

Delegate Moran outlined his commitment to fiscal responsibility on August 18th while addressing the Virginia Commissioners of Revenue and Treasurers Association in Roanoke.

Virginia Sierra Club Fall Jamboree Speech

2008-09-14T00:44:00Z

Remarks of Delegate Brian Moran to the Virginia Sierra Club Fall Jamboree
September 13, 2008

Good Afternoon. Thank you for that warm introduction. It’s great to be here today to share my thoughts on protecting Virginia’s environment.

It’s fitting that we’re meeting here in Pocahontas State Park - the state’s largest park. We need only look at the beauty around us to be reminded that environmental protection and conservation are not just policy positions; they are about the values we share and the legacy we want to leave to the next generation.

When I was 10 years old, I saved up the money I earned from mowing lawns to buy an acre of wooded land with a small creek running through it. And as I look back, I can see how the values I grew up with taught me a deep respect and appreciation for the environment – for our environment, values I’ve carried with me to this day. And these are values I’m passing on to my children - with a compost pile in the backyard and a six-year-old who knows exactly what to put in the recycling bin.

Today, I still believe that every acre of land – every stream, wetland, seashore, mountaintop – every part of God’s creation deserves our respect and protection. And our commitment that they will be here for generations to come.

Back when I was a local prosecutor, my wife Karyn and I were out to dinner with our friends Mark and Lisa -- that was back when we called him “Mark” not “Governor” – that night he suggested that I run for the House of Delegates. Sometimes, though, I wonder what would have happened if he would have just given me some stock tips, instead.

In the General Assembly, I’ve been proud to be your partner on important issues:

Promoting green buildings and LEED standards for state construction;
Creating a tax credit for renewable energy production;
Establishing tele-work plans for state agencies and employees;
Proposing a transportation plan that emphasized mass transit and rail because we need walkable, livable communities -- with fewer cars and smarter land-use planning;
And I stood on the sands of Virginia Beach with the mayor and the Sierra Club to say “no” to offshore drilling.

The work you, and the 17,000 members of the Sierra Club do, make clear that we can address the issues that threaten our environment. And it’s why I am so proud of my 100% rating from the League of Conservation Voters this year.

Your work is incredibly important. From your advocacy in the General Assembly and local government to education and your work in our schools, you’re setting the bar high for all of us in elected office. You’re holding our feet to the fire – thank you for doing that.

I believe decreasing our impact on the environment is essential. Just a few weeks ago, I purchased carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon footprint of the Virginia delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. That action alone will not solve the problem, but it is important for each of us to do our part.

I look forward to the day when we live in a more environmentally sustainable way and the cost of protecting our environment is built into the cost of doing business – when we can say that our economic activity is in sync with our environmental impact.

Since I’ve returned from the Democratic Convention - the first-ever green convention - I’ve been thinking it’s disappointing that protecting our environment has become a partisan issue.

Whether it was Teddy Roosevelt, who set aside almost 200 million acres for preservation, or Richard Nixon, who created the Environmental Protection Agency, this used to be a bipartisan effort.

But these days the pro-environment Republican has become an endangered species.

Our commonwealth and our country need leaders who share our values, and who will stand up for future generations - because the stakes have never been higher.

The fact is that our challenges today are interconnected. Our transportation, land-use and energy policies effect our environment; our environmental policies and economic development plans affect each other.

Leading this commonwealth requires an understanding that the challenges we face – and the solutions we seek – affect each other like never before.

That’s why we must reject the false choice between growing our economy and protecting our environment. We can create jobs by investing in a 21st century energy economy.

That means putting Virginians to work in good, high-paying jobs in green construction, bringing manufacturing jobs back by investing in wind turbines, and creating new industries by investing in alternative energy research.

As the Sierra Club recently reported, we can create 55,000 new jobs in Virginia with this kind of investment. We can start to build tomorrow’s economy today.

Opportunities exist right here in Virginia. Whether it’s working toward Virginia’s first wind farm in Highland County, our switch grass plant in Chatham, or the biodiesel truck stop in Henry County, we can tackle climate change and create jobs.

Just recently, the Washington Post wrote about one state that’s leading the way in wind energy -- a state that’s doubled its wind capacity in the past 18 months, bringing new jobs and investments in research. That state is Colorado.

Folks, that needs to be us.

We should be leading the way in wind, solar and biomass. Virginia should be getting those jobs. I can promise you one thing – if I’m fortunate enough to be elected your governor, they’ll be writing those stories about us! We should be investing in offshore wind, not offshore drilling. Offshore wind can supply 20% of our electricity needs here in Virginia. It’s time we got serious about wind energy.

Let’s be clear about this: We cannot drill our way out of the energy crisis. We can’t cure our addiction to oil by drilling for more. We can’t tackle 21st century problems with 19th century solutions.

And let’s get serious about energy efficiency. It’s one of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions, save Virginians money and reduce our use of fossil fuels. In a recent report, Virginia ranked 38th in the nation for efficiency and conservation programs.

We must do better.

We have to start by putting smart meters in our homes, so that our families can use energy when it’s the cheapest and use less of it and by making green buildings that are more energy efficient and cheaper to operate.

And we have to do more to conserve oil and gas with smarter, more efficient cars and transportation systems because the most important gallon of gas is the one we don’t use. And while we can’t drill our way out of this problem, we can grow our way out of it, by investing in crops that produce biomass and biofuels.

Clearly, there is no single solution – no one way to solve this problem. And Virginia can’t do it alone -- but we must do our part. We must invest in research and development, partnering with UVA, Virginia Tech, and all our great universities to ensure that future breakthroughs happen right here. Virginia can and should lead in this - one of the great challenges of the 21st century.

But doing all this won’t be easy. From the capitol in Richmond to the halls of Washington, it’s going to take a joint commitment – the type of commitment we haven’t seen since John Kennedy challenged us to land a man on the moon. It’s going to take another Apollo Mission to get this done. Virginia can’t lead our nation, and our nation can’t lead this world, if we stay behind in this race. This is a mission we can’t postpone and a challenge we can’t fail to meet.

Teddy Roosevelt set the standard for us all when he said, “The Nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets… which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value…and behaves badly if it leaves the land poorer to those who come after….” People ask whether protecting our environment will help our economy, and it will. But this is about something greater. Are we judged by how we best exploit our resources for economic gain? Or do we measure success by the legacy we leave behind? We must act, as Roosevelt said, “So that our children will be richer, and not poorer because we have lived.” That must be our standard. That is how we will be judged.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and for all your hard work. Thank you and God bless you.

Convention Report

2008-09-02T21:17:00Z

Brian went to Denver for last week's historic Democratic National Convention and was proud to host an event for the Virginia Delegation. The Washington Post's Tim Craig reported:

More than 100 Virginia Democrats attended the party, billed as a "Late Night With Brian Moran," including U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott and Moran's brother, Rep. James P. Moran. U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Mark R. Warner also made an appearance, hours after he delivered the convention keynote address.

"It was a nice opportunity to get everyone together after Mark's speech and celebrate Mark's speech," Brian Moran said.

Raising Kaine's Josh Chernilla also had a lengthy feature about Brian at the convention. Here's a sample:

Into this astonishing array of excitement and emotion, an ebullient Mark Warner joins the fray. His tie and jacket long-gone, Warner is having a great time with his beloved Virginia Democrats; greeting all. I watch him shake hands and then bear hug Brian Moran. It's an honest moment between the two that seems to betray a simple truth: these guys are good friends.

The next day, I'm peppering Moran with questions over coffee. Moran has been going since 4am, doing the media circuit. I start by asking about Warner's speech. "His speech was 'Warneresque'", he smiles through his pinched-cheek smile. "I've known Mark for 20 years. He gave a substantive speech about how we can meet challenges. Mark has a message of governance and solving problems. That's how we win in Virginia, by rolling up our sleeves and addressing issues that matter to people."

"I represent the continuation of the success we've had in Virginia. It's success based on results for regular people; in treating Virginia as a Commonwealth. Whether you're born in Galax or Fairfax, you should have the same opportunity. That's the principle I've been fighting for in the House for 12 years, and it's why Democrats should win this year. We have a vision for the country that is for the whole country."

Take a look at this photo gallery from the convention.

Turning Denver Delegation Green

2008-08-21T22:04:00Z

Anita Kumar of the Washington Post blogs:

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) has purchased "carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon footprint" of the Virginia delegation while at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week.

A carbon footprint measures the affect human activity has on the environment through greenhouse gases. Moran, who is not a delegate but will be attending the convention, purchased carbon offsets that will be invested in renewable energy through Native Energy.

"Democrats have a long track record as champions of our environment," Moran said. "Leaving a clean and healthy world for the next generation is both a moral obligation and an economic necessity. It's important we show our commitment to this cause with both our words and our actions."

The Virginia delegation will produce approximately 115 tons of carbon-based pollution from air and ground travel, accommodations and waste, according to national Democratic officials.

Delegates have already offset 44 of those tons. Moran's offset includes his own carbon impact.

Raising Kaine has more and you can read the full press release here.

Moran Offsets Va.’s Denver Delegation Carbon Footprint

2008-08-21T17:42:00Z

Sign of his commitment to protecting the environment

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran announced today that he has purchased carbon offsets to neutralize the carbon footprint of the Virginia Delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Carbon offsets were purchased through Native Energy, a partner with the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC). According to the DNCC, the Virginia Delegation will produce approximately 115 tons of carbon-based pollution from their air and ground travel, accommodations and waste – approximately one ton per delegate. Each carbon offset will be invested in renewable energy and reduce future carbon output by the amount that otherwise would be in our atmosphere.

“Democrats have a long track record as champions of our environment,” Moran said. “Leaving a clean and healthy world for the next generation is both a moral obligation and an economic necessity. It’s important we show our commitment to this cause with both our words and our actions.”

The last 10 years have each been one of the 25 warmest on record. The year 2006 was the hottest year on record. The United States is the world’s largest global warming polluter. Americans create 25 percent of all emissions while making up only 5 percent of the world’s population. The U.S. Geological Survey predicts that Glacier National Park will have no glaciers left in only 20 years.

Specific information on the program and the project list are available from the DNCC.

Of the 115 tons of carbon produced by the Virginia Delegation, 44 tons have already been offset by delegation members. Delegate Moran’s offset for those 44 delegates will help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the convention. Although he is not a delegate to the convention, Moran also purchased an offset for his own carbon impact.

Brian in Martinsville

2008-08-19T20:00:00Z

The Martinsville Bulletin gave extensive coverage to Brian's recent visit to their city. Here is an excerpt:

Moran said he has been to Southside in good times and bad. On the good side, Moran said, he attended the opening of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

On the other side, he was with Del. Ward Armstrong (D-Collinsville, who is now House minority leader), after Tultex closed in 2000, putting nearly 2,500 area residents out of work.

“I was very touched ... when Tultex left,” he said, noting that “we did our best in responding” to workers’ needs.

Prompted by Tultex workers who lost their jobs, Armstrong was author and Moran was co-patron (or co-author) of the Textile Workers Relief Act, which was introduced in the 2000 General Assembly session, said Jesse Ferguson, Moran’s communications director. Then-governor Jim Gilmore, a Republican who now is running for U.S. Senate, vetoed the act. It would have increased unemployment benefits and extended health care insurance for a year for anyone who lost a job due to a plant closing related to the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA).

Moran said Monday that people want to work and provide for their families, and there should be opportunities for them to do that.

Brian Stands With Steelworkers

2008-08-19T19:51:00Z

Brian joined former Governor Mark Warner and hundreds of steelworkers from the Newport News Shipyard to support the members of the United Steelworkers Local 888 as they fight for higher wages, better pensions and an upgraded healthcare plan. From the Daily Press:

“…hundreds of union steelworkers poured through the streets of Newport News on Friday as shipyard officials and steelworkers prepare to hammer out a contract for the first time in four years.”

Brian spoke in support of the workers and their contract negotiations. He pointed out that the rising cost of gas and groceries was putting the squeeze on middle class families already having a tough times making ends meet. Local 8888 members build the ships that stand on the font-lines of our national defense and they deserve pay and benefits that match their commitment to our nation.

Delegate Moran recently toured the Shipyard facility.

Thanks to Dan Duncan for the photograph.

Brian Moran Pledges Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility

2008-08-18T19:56:00Z

Important Speech on responsibility, honesty and integrity in fiscal affairs

ROANOKE, Va. – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran today outlined his approach to the Commonwealth’s fiscal affairs. Moran pledged a focus on responsibility, honesty and integrity in state spending. In remarks given to the Treasurers’ Association of Virginia and the Commissioners of the Revenue Association of Virginia, Moran highlighted the Commonwealth’s fiscal challenges and the recent revenue downturn. He explained how the values he learned as one of seven children in a struggling middle-class family encourage him to run a fiscally responsible government that pays its bills and meets its commitments.

“Growing up we didn’t have much, so my parents worked hard – and taught me and my brothers and sisters something in the process: You’ve got to be honest about your obligations. Slick financial tricks and accounting gimmicks won’t keep a roof over your head – they won’t pay the mortgage or send the kids to college,” Moran said. “And it is no different for our Commonwealth – bumper stickers and campaign slogans won’t make our schools better, our colleges more competitive, or build roads and bridges.”

Delegate Moran discussed Virginia’s 22,000 foreclosures this year and the fact that homes have been selling for less than the value of their mortgages. Governor Kaine shared these concerns with the General Assembly at a joint meeting of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on Monday. Moran pledged a steady, fiscally responsible hand to meet the commitments we have made during these difficult times. He also highlighted his own work as Chairman of Alexandria’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs committee during the real-estate downturn of the late 1980s.

As Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Moran was a chief legislative partner to Governor Warner when the legislature passed budget reform to fix the state’s structural imbalance and preserved its triple-A bond rating. “I’m proud to share this accomplishment with Governor Warner, but even more proud to share a common vision for fiscal responsibility,” Delegate Moran said.

He continued, “Governor Warner was a shining example of the type of balanced-budget, meet-your-obligations approach to government that I am proud to share and will strive to achieve. That’s why Virginia is the best managed state in the nation with an excellent credit rating.” Moran also praised Governor Kaine’s work to continue this fiscally responsible approach during the current downturn in revenue.

During the remarks, Delegate Moran also praised the work of local Treasurers and Commissioners of Revenue as the leaders at the forefront of balancing local government budgets. He highlighted some of their successful initiatives, including the non-arbitrage program that protects our bond funds, new DMV select offices across the Commonwealth, and the collection of overdue taxes from federal refunds.

Moran Receives Hero Award From Conservation Voters

2008-07-30T16:12:00Z

In addition to receiving a perfect score on the annual League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Score Card, Brian was also recognized at an annual LCV event as a "Legislative Hero." From the press release:

"I'm honored to receive this recognition from Virginia’s conservation voters," Delegate Moran said. "The next generation is depending on us to be responsible stewards of Virginia’s natural treasures. I’ve been proud to successfully partner with the conservation community, but we have more work to do."

"We’re proud to recognize Delegate Moran as a legislative hero this year with a perfect score on conservation issues," said Virginia League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Lisa Gutherie. "His work to build more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient buildings, expand access to alternative and renewable energy, and protect our coastline helps leave a cleaner, better world for the next generation."

Statement on Minimum Wage Increase

2008-07-23T20:12:00Z

ALEXANDRIA – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran made the following statement about tomorrow’s increase in the minimum wage to $6.55 per hour. Delegate Moran championed an increase in Virginia’s minimum wage in 2007 (HB 2849, 2007). Although the initiative was unsuccessful in Virginia, the federal government adopted a similar proposal, which Delegate Moran supported.

“Working full time and raising a family should never be a ticket to poverty,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Brian Moran said. “Hard work should be rewarded with fair pay. Increasing the minimum wage will help drive Virginia’s economy by putting money into the pockets of Americans who will spend it. Today is another step forward to ensuring a level economic playing field for all Virginians. In the face of the high price of gas and groceries, raising the minimum wage is a smart investment in the middle-class families that need it the most.”

This increase is the second of three provided by the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. A third minimum wage increase to $7.25 an hour will become effective on July 24, 2009. Last year, on July 24, the minimum wage increased to $5.85 an hour.

Facts on the minimum wage:

A single parent earning minimum wage earns $12,100/year, $2,800 below the poverty line. Nearly 35 percent of minimum-wage workers are sole family earners and one in three Virginians earning the minimum wage are raising children.
Between 1998 and 2004, the job growth for small businesses in states with a minimum wage higher than the federal level was 6.2 percent compared to a 4.1 percent growth in states where the federal level prevailed.

Selected resources on Delegate Moran’s work regarding the minimum wage:
Democrats to Propose Minimum Wage Boost (Washington Post, December 2006)
Minimum Wage Hike Gets Pushed (Freelance Star, December 2006)
Democrats push minimum wage issue (Roanoke Times, December 2006)
Delegate Moran testifies to Commerce and Labor Subcommittee (January 2007)

VIRGINIA'S TRANSPORTATION CONUNDRUM

2008-07-23T14:39:00Z

This op-ed by Brian Moran originally appeared in the Washington Times

Earlier this month, our Regional Transportation Planning Board delayed or cancelled projects in every Northern Virginia jurisdiction, as well as for the Virginia Railway Express. That is because Virginia recently lost a significant opportunity to strengthen the economy of our commonwealth, solve the congestion crisis, fix failing bridges across the state and improve the quality of life for millions of our fellow citizens.

The demands on our transportation system continue to overwhelm the supply. Over the past 20 years, the capacity of our roadways has only grown 9 percent, while Virginians are traveling 80 percent more and own 61 percent more cars. Also, there are 36 percent more drivers than in 1988. Unfortunately, there are those in the Republican leadership who refuse to respond to this growing, critical need. They do not realize that transportation infrastructure is key to sustaining our quality of life and growing our economy.

Virginia is known as the best state in the nation to do business, a distinction of which we are rightly proud. We also retain one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Our businesses depend on a strong transportation network to move products and materials to customers, factories and stores. Business leaders in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads are already feeling the pinch of aging infrastructure. Virginia's long-term economic future depends on strong transportation investment. That is why the Chamber of Commerce and business groups from across the commonwealth joined Democrats to support new revenue for transportation.

Investing in transportation now also would have meant an immediate infusion of new jobs and capital investment in a struggling economy. During the recent debate, the owner of a small bridge-building and construction firm approached me. He told me that he has had to lay off more than 50 employees in the Prince William area. Investing in transportation and infrastructure projects could have meant more contracts and more jobs for his company. A $1 billion transportation investment would have created 35,000 new jobs.

Of course, transportation issues affect more than jobs and the economy. A stronger transportation system means that Virginians don't have to spend hundreds of hours stuck in traffic. The average Virginian loses $1,000 a year in car repair costs and gas due to traffic. A transportation investment would mean that parents get home for dinner on time, or get a chance to make it to their kid's soccer game. And a stronger transportation system is also a smarter one - a system that uses more mass transit and gas-saving incentives to promote a cleaner environment. We can't solve this problem with roads alone or build our way out of it. We need 21st-century solutions.

With all of these benefits and opportunities, the actions of the Republican leadership in the House of Delegates remain a shocking statement of ideological gamesmanship and indifference to the needs of Virginia. Democrats put no less than four complete, comprehensive transportation solutions on the table, only to have them attacked and voted down by the Republican House majority.

During the special session, Democrats from the House and the Senate proposed a compromise package. It met statewide needs for new construction as well as maintenance. Our plan, which I was proud to support and vote for, contained no increase in the gas tax. The last thing Virginians need are higher costs at the pump. And it cut the tax on food, as rising costs have made it more difficult for families to put dinner on the table. Above all, our plan was a shot in the arm to Virginia's economy and a long-term investment in our business environment.

You can't be pro-business while being anti-government. Government has an important role to play in strengthening our infrastructure, developing our economy and creating new jobs. When inflexible ideologies get in the way of simple facts, we get gridlock and failure - exactly the kind of backward leadership we saw in Richmond last week. And it is increasingly clear that the people of Virginia are rejecting it.

As a Northern Virginia business owner and parent, I know firsthand the negative impact on hours of productivity lost to business, family baseball games missed, and late dinners because of our congestion crisis. I vow to work with Democrats and Republicans to develop solutions to the traffic we face and the infrastructure demands ahead of us. Virginians demand and deserve no less.

Brian Moran Opens Obama Office in Prince William

2008-07-21T13:00:00Z

Brian was the featured guest at the Obama office opening in Prince William County.

The Potomac news reports:

In a small business park office off Prince William Parkway, presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama again made history.

He, to the best of anyone's knowledge, became the first presidential hopeful to open a campaign office in Prince William County-an area that has experienced tremendous growth in the last 10 years and is now being seen by many as a place that, as far as politics go, is up for grabs.

...

Among the officials in attendance were Del. Paul F. Nichols, D-Occoquan, gubernatorial candidate Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, Sen. Linda T. "Toddy" Puller, D-Fairfax, and Woodbridge Supervisor Frank J. Principi.

Moran got the crowd riled up, talking about the struggling economy, high fuel prices and the need for change.

"With all that to worry about, complain about and worry about," Moran said, "you're getting off the couch to do something about it…We cannot be on the sidelines of history."

Moran Significantly Outraises Deeds, McDonnell

2008-07-16T19:00:00Z

Delegate Brian Moran outraised both Senator Creigh Deeds and sitting Attorney General Bob McDonnell during the first half of 2008 according to recent news reports. Moran raised more than all other Virginia candidates for 2009 elections. McDonnell is his party’s unopposed nominee for Governor in 2009, and Deeds previously ran a statewide campaign.

The Virginian Pilot reports,

Democratic gubernatorial contenders are Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria – who raised $1.3 8 million during the first six months of 2008 – and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, who raised $782,586. Moran has more than $924,000 in cash on hand, while Deeds has $650,452.

The Daily Progress says,

Although the election won’t happen for another 16 months, the three candidates in Virginia’s 2009 governor’s race are already raking in piles of campaign cash.
Del. Brian Moran, a Democrat from Alexandria and chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, collected roughly $1.38 million from 939 donors during the first six months of 2008, according to campaign finance documents filed Tuesday.

Augusta Free Press reports,

Brian Moran’s fundraising haul in the first six months of 2008 nearly doubled that of 2009 Democratic Party gubernatorial-nomination rival Creigh Deeds.