Brian Moran - Blog

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:

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.

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.

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."

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.

Fighting For Transportation Solutions

2008-07-11T14:22:00Z

Today's Washington Post features an editorial on the issue:

DON'T BE fooled by the parliamentary razzle-dazzle and the gush of obfuscatory recrimination pouring forth from Richmond this week. The failure of Virginia's lawmakers to provide the first new new source of funding in a generation for the state's aging transportation network lies squarely with the Republican leadership in the House of Delegates.

Here's Brian arguing that transportation funding is good for the economy.

UPDATE: The Virginian Pilot wrote about candidates for Governor in 2009 and where they stood during this transportation fight.

"Somebody's eventually got to take on this monster mind-boggler, and one of the three men lined up to run for governor next year will clearly have to come up with a solution or spend four years trying...Moran is the only candidate so far to announce his own plan; the Fairfax Democrat favors a 1 percent statewide sales tax.

'You can't run for governor without some specific proposal about how to address what I believe is the most pressing infrastructure need we have today,' he said."

Team Moran Cheers Barack Obama

2008-07-10T22:55:00Z

Team Moran went to Barack Obama’s Town Hall Meeting in Fairfax today to cheer him on. You can see a full report from TeacherKen at Raising Kaine by clicking here.

And check out the pictures we took while we were there!

Big Fundraising Numbers for Brian

2008-07-07T14:35:00Z

Virginians for Brian Moran is reporting some exceptionally strong fundraising numbers today.

From the Washington Post:

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) will announce today he's raised about $1.4 million so far this year for his campaign for governor, which his staff is touting as a record haul for a gubernatorial candidate making their first bid for statewide office.

Although the primary is almost a year away, Moran has been accelerating his campaign efforts in recent weeks, including building staff and traveling the state.

...

"He is getting help from people across the entire Commonwealth because Democrats realize he has a strong record and the best chance to win November of 2009," said Mame Reiley, director of Virginians for Brian Moran. "Brian's strong performance lays the groundwork for an impressive statewide finance effort and a successful campaign."

Reiley, a veteran Virginia Democratic strategist and fundraiser, said Moran raised even more money during the first since months of this year than either Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) or former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore (R) did during the first half of 2004, when they were both gearing up to run for governor in 2005.

"I am humbled and encouraged by this support and the generosity of my friends, both old and new," Moran said. "It has been a pleasure to get to know Virginians in every corner of the Commonwealth - citizens who truly care about the direction of our state. The response has been amazing."

The Associated Press also covered the story.

UPDATE:The Virginian-Pilot, Alexandria Times and the Richmond Times-Dispatch have more.

"WE GOT HERE TOGETHER"

2008-07-01T13:59:00Z

Brian had an event in Alexandria last night and Raising Kaine wrote it up:

There were no big announcements at Brian Moran's fundraiser on the Alexandria pier tonight. Moran remains officially "unannounced". Instead, amid a sea of Brian Moran for Governor signs, stickers, and brochures, a cheering crowd of close friends enjoyed stories of great Virginia Democrats, some crisp, after-the-rain fresh air, and a bona fide, just-in-time rainbow.

You can't make this stuff up.

After an introduction from Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Brian Moran stepped up to the stump, but he was interrupted. "I could launch into my stump speech, but look at that, there's a real rainbow, and you, my good friends, are the pot of gold." With the stump speech abandoned, Moran shared tales from the old days, picking friend from the crowd and pointing out how each helped him or made a difference in Virginia. "I plan to work for opportunity, and to make sure that everyone in the Commonwealth has every opportunity to make a better future." "My father the football coach taught me the value of hard work and education, but most he taught me the obligation to leave the world a better place, that's my passion, and that's why I'm here. We got here together, and we're going to win together."

Also be sure and take a look at this photo gallery from the event.

Meet and Greet in Loudoun

2008-06-30T19:59:00Z

An excited crowd gathered this morning at Tuscarora Mill in downtown Leesburg to meet Brian. Included among the attendees were Delegate David Poisson, Senator Mark Herring, and former Congressman Bill Alexander. The meet and greet was hosted by Dean Read and Dave Culbert.

Delegate Moran spoke about Northern Virginia's struggles with transportation. Drawing on his personal experience running a business, Moran emphasized how the congestion crisis affects businesses statewide. He called for bipartisan cooperation in Richmond during the current special session. In addition, he talked about the importance of education in the growing global marketplace and how we must continue to provide a quality education to all Virginians – pre-K thru Graduate school.

Leesburg Today covered the event:

For the problems of Virginia's transportation network to be solved, residents and leaders from across the state must work together, Del. Brian Moran (D-46) told members of the Business and Citizens Political Action Committee this morning. Moran is running for governor in 2009.

"We're all in this together," Moran said. "We call ourselves a commonwealth. We have to work together."

At the inaugural breakfast of BAC PAC, Moran came to address the issues of business and education, the top topics for the new committee. But what started as a two-prong talk ultimately led to a discussion of the problems with transportation, as members asked, in the face of another unsuccessful special session, what needs to be done to help Northern Virginia drivers.

"All 140 of us, 40 in the Senate and 100 in the House, have our own plan," Moran said. "But at some point we have to realize we're stronger together than we are apart."

Brian Addresses State Democratic Convention

2008-06-15T04:21:00Z

Here's Brian's speech from earlier today at the State Convention:

Also check out this photo gallery from the convention.