Welcome to my online constituent office. We hope you will find this website to be a useful one-stop portal for any needs you might have from the Virginia state government. We have included information to help you better understand how our government works.
You can also keep up with the policy-making process in the General Assembly during the weeks that I am working in Richmond by reading my blogs and Twitter updates.
As your State Delegate, I’m here to serve you so please contact me with any questions or services you need. I am particularly interested in hearing about ways to make our laws work better for all of us so please do not hesitate to send me policy ideas that I may be able to propose in Richmond. I am honored to represent you and I look forward to meeting you in person.
Thank you,
- DelegateKeam: Presented another Richmond report to civic group: Sully District Council. 35th Dist has only 1 precinct in Sully - called Vale - out of 18.
- DelegateKeam: Witnessing the investiture of new Fairfax Couny Circuit Court Judge Brett Kassabian whom we voted in this session. Congrats, Your Honor!
- DelegateKeam: At NoVA Asian American community town hall hosted by Virginia Asian American Advisory Board. I served on this Governor's board in 2001-09.
- DelegateKeam: Attending "Unlock Gridlock" forum in Tysons hosted by www.TeleworkVA.org and www.TeleworkExchange.com to find solutions for NoVA traffic.
- DelegateKeam: Providing another Richmond report to constituents; this time Providence District Council in Dunn Loring. Most active civic leaders I know.
Posts Tagged ‘Legislation’
Delegate Keam Receives Award from Teachers
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=341334&paper=73&cat=104
Teachers Honor Keam
Del Mark Keam (D-35) named Rookie of the Year
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Based on his record of strong support for public education, the Virginia Education Association named Del. Mark Keam (D-35) a “Rookie of the Year.” VEA is a public education advocacy group with more than 60,000 members throughout the Commonwealth.
The award was presented to Keam by VEA President Kitty Boitnott at the Fairfax Education Association’s Representative Assembly, which took place Wednesday, May 19, at Northern Virginia Community College.
“I am honored to receive this award and to be recognized by teachers for my work in the General Assembly,” said Keam. “As a product of public schools and as a parent with two kids in Fairfax public schools, I have made public education my number one priority as a legislator.”
In his first year in the General Assembly, Keam worked successfully with Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) to “unfreeze” the local composite index (LCI) formula that would have penalized Fairfax County schools by withholding $61 million in state funds that would have been provided under an updated formula. Keam joined Republican delegates in offering amendments to the House budget that provided the additional funds for Fairfax.
During the 2010 legislative session, Keam also introduced two bills to provide additional funding for Fairfax County Public Schools. House Bill 1128 would have imposed a cap of 0.6750 as the maximum number under the LCI instead of the current state cap of 0.800, which means that no locality shall ever pay more than 80 percent for their schools while the state picks up the other 20 percent.
House Bill 1129 would have added an additional 13 teachers for every 1,000 limited English proficient students in Fairfax County. The county currently has more than 21,000 such students out of 173,500 students. Without additional ESOL teachers, Fairfax suffers from having to have a student/teacher ration of 59 to 1 in classrooms instead of the ideal 30 to 1 that most jurisdictions enjoy.
Unfortunately, both bills were defeated on straight party-line votes in a House Appropriations Subcommittee.
“Del. Keam has begun his legislative career as a solid supporter of our public schools. We have acknowledged his 100 percent pro-education voting record by awarding him VEA’s Rookie of the Year award. He is a welcomed friend of public education,” said Boitnott.
Delegate Keam’s Legislation featured in Sun Gazette
http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2010/04/07/fairfax/news/fe211.txt
Gov. McDonnell signs several clean-energy bills at Old Dominion University, as legislators and members of his administration look on. (Photo by Michael White) 
Governor Signs Energy Legislation Patroned by Local Assembly Members
by SCOTT McCAFFREY, Staff Writer
(Created: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 6:58 AM EDT)
Gov. McDonnell has signed several pieces of “green-energy” legislation, including ones that were patroned by state Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34th) and Del. Mark Keam (D-35th).
McDonnell traveled to Old Dominion University for a bill-signing ceremony, where he praised the efforts of legislators in both parties involved in crafting legislation to address energy issues.
“All the bills signed today represent bipartisan cooperation in the effort to bring green energy innovation and generation to the Commonwealth,” McDonnell said at the April 2 event. “Working across party lines, we are making Virginia the energy capital of the East Coast.”
Among the legislation McDonnell signed into law was a measure giving businesses a $500 tax credit for the creation of “green jobs.” Keam was among a number of delegates whose bills were incorporated into the green-jobs measure signed by the governor.
Another measure that was signed into law, patroned by Petersen, allows localities greater flexibility in securing loans for the acquisition and installation of clean-energy improvements. A second Petersen bill gives natural-gas utilities greater flexibility in recovering costs associated with improving infrastructure to meet modern standards.
In remarks at the ceremony, McDonnell reiterated his belief that meeting energy challenges requires all sides to find common ground.
“Currently, Virginia is the second largest importer of electricity in America, trailing only California,” he said. “We need to take immediate steps to produce more energy right here, and to do so in a comprehensive manner. We need more oil, coal and natural gas, but we also need more wind, solar, biomass and nuclear production, as well.”
Other measures that the governor signed into law include creation of a state offshore wind development authority, and creation of a state foundation to fund research and development for clean-energy technology at Virginia’s colleges and universities.
Gov. McDonnell Signs Keam-Poindexter Green Jobs Bill into Law
Today, Governor McDonnell signed into law House Bill 803, which provides tax credits for Virginia employers who create and retain new jobs that promote renewable and alternative energy. This “Green Jobs” bill is a bipartisan effort of Delegate Mark Keam (D-Fairfax), Delegate Charles Poindexter (R-Franklin), Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24), and many other legislators.
In January, Delegate Keam joined Gov. McDonnell at a press conference in Richmond to announce the inclusion of HB 803 as part of the Governor’s Jobs Agenda. Today, Delegate Keam joined Gov. McDonnell once again, at the bill signing ceremony on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, where he spoke about the need for everyone to work together to make Virginia the Energy Capitol of the nation.
The Governor’s press release is copied below, and is found online at: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=105
——————————————————————————–
For Immediate Release: April 02, 2010
Contact: Stacey Johnson, Press Secretary, (804) 786-2211
Governor McDonnell Signs Green Energy Legislation at Old Dominion University
– Another Step towards Making Virginia “The Energy Capital of the East Coast” –
–Legislation Includes Creation of $500 Green Jobs Tax Credit–
NORFOLK- Governor Bob McDonnell visited the campus of Old Dominion University today to sign into law a number of green energy bills passed by the General Assembly this session. Among the measures receiving the Governor’s signature was his legislation to provide a $500 tax credit for each green job created in the Commonwealth; a measure establishing the Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation; the creation of the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority; and legislation rewarding investor-owned electric utilities for using wind energy. The Governor also signed legislation to authorize investor-owned natural gas utilities to petition the State Corporation Commission to implement a separate rider that will allow for recovery of certain costs associated with eligible infrastructure replacement projects; to add improvement of infrastructure such as refueling stations to the Alternative Fuels Revolving Fund; and to give localities the authority to, in order to secure loans for the initial acquisition and installation of clean energy improvements, place liens equal in value to the loan against any property where such clean energy systems are being installed.
Delegate Keam joins Gov. McDonnell at bill signing
Today, Governor McDonnell visited Fairfax County to sign several bills into law that will promote more tech jobs in Northern Virginia. Delegate Keam participated in the bill signing ceremony, hosted by the Center for Innovative Technology and Northern Virginia Technology Council, in their tech headquarters building in Herndon.
As a member of the House Finance Committee, Delegate Keam cosponsored and helped move House Bill 523 through to passage. This bill would grant income tax deduction on long-term capital gains related to qualified investment in a technology, bio-technology, or science start-up business, which will benefit Fairfax County.
Delegate Keam also cosponsored House Bill 677, which establishes a “Specialized Biotechnology Research Performance Grant Program” for nonprofit entities engaged in research, development, and production related to molecular diagnostics and drug development that commits in a memorandum of understanding and fulfills its obligation to (i) make a new capital investment of at least $200 million, (ii) create at least 415 new full-time jobs, and (iii) meet other criteria.
Governor McDonnell’s press release is: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=96
Washington Post wrote this about today’s event:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/03/post_663.html?wprss=virginiapolitics
McDonnell signs bills in NoVa to create jobs
By Anita Kumar
March 30, 2010; 5:44 PM ET
Republican and Democratic legislators joined Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) this afternoon in Northern Virginia as he signed a package of bills designed to create jobs and spur economic development.
The bills signed today will provide tax deductions on capital gains derived from investments in technology, energy, bio-tech and science-based companies; grant temporary business licenses to individuals who have a license or certification from another state; broaden the uses of the Governor’s Opportunity Fund; designate the head of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership as chief executive; and establish a biotech research performance grant program.
“The states that help lead this country out of this economic downturn will be those that move aggressively to promote job creation and make it easier for entrepreneurs and business owners to be successful,” McDonnell said at a signing ceremony at the Center for Innovative Technology and Northern Virginia Technology Council in Herndon. “That is what we are doing in Virginia.”
A slew of legislators from Northern Virginia joined McDonnell, including Sens. Mark Herring (D-Loudoun) and Janet Howell (D-Fairfax); Republican Dels. Dave Albo (Fairfax), Tom Rust (Fairfax), Tim Hugo (Fairfax), Barbara Comstock (Fairfax), Rich Anderson (Prince William), Joe May (Loudoun) and Jackson Miller (Manassas); and Democratic Dels. Mark Keam (Fairfax) and Mark Sickles (Fairfax). Several Northern Virginia technology and businesses also were in attendance.
2010 General Assembly Session Highlights
This is a document prepared by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services that describes some of the major legislative actions taken by the General Assembly during our regular session of 2010: http://dls.state.va.us/pubs/hilights/2010/Highlights2010.pdf
Delegate Keam quoted in Richmond Times Dispatch
Delegate Keam talks about House Bill 778, the bill he and Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67th District) tried to push through the General Assembly this year to require all votes be published online under the Member’s name. The House passed the bill overwhelmingly but the Senate killed it in committee.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/SLAW15_20100314-220004/330410/
FOI council helps public with open government act
By Michael Martz
Published: March 15, 2010
It won’t get any easier this year for the public to scrutinize the voting records of General Assembly members, but that’s not because Del. Mark L. Keam, D-Fairfax, and 19 other new legislators didn’t try.
Keam was part of the “Freshman Initiative,” an effort by first-year leg-islators to make the assembly’s Web site easier to use to track votes from subcommittees to the chamber floor. The proposal was carried over a year by a Senate committee, but the new legislators say they are laying down a bipartisan marker to help the public hold elected officials accountable.
“We made a pact that on anything involving transparency, government efficiency or accountability, we will vote together,” he told Maria J.K. Everett during a reception Thursday to kick off Sunshine Week at the General Assembly.
Keam was preaching to the choir. Everett is executive director of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council, a 10-year-old panel that helps people understand, apply and obey state laws that make government records and actions open to the people.
Gov. McDonnell Signs Keam Adoption Bill into Law
As the regular General Assembly session wrapped up for the year, Governor McDonnell convened a special meeting of first-year legislators where he signed into law numerous bills that were carried by the freshmen.
One of Delegate Keam’s bills, was signed at this special ceremony. House Bill 1133 would clarify the term, “counsel,” as it is currently used in the process of placing a child for adoption. Practitioners of family law in Fairfax County asked Delegate Keam to draft this bill to provide better guidance to courts and lawyers who have found that this word could be interpreted very broadly or narrowly.
The bill went through various subcommittee and committee reviews in both the House and Senate, and both Chambers adopted the measure which sent the bill to the Governor for his signature. This was the first legislation that Delegate Keam successfully navigated through the General Assembly on his own in his first year.
With all the freshmen class members gathering with the Governor, it was a nice bipartisan photo opportunity!
Delegate Keam named to his first conference committee
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, March 4, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rob Abbot, (703) 380-8883
Delegate Mark Keam Appointed to Conference Committee on Bipartisan “Green Jobs” Bill
RICHMOND – Late last night, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, William J. Howell, appointed Delegate Mark Keam to serve on the conference committee that will negotiate and reconcile the final versions of House Bill 803 and Senate Bill 623.
These two bills would provide an income tax credit of $500 for each renewable energy job that an employer creates in Virginia. Because of slight differences between the two versions of the legislation adopted by each chamber of the General Assembly, the bills have now been sent to a conference committee. The differences involve defining the categories of jobs that may qualify for the tax credit.
“I thank the Speaker for naming me to serve on the Conference Committee to continue working on this important legislation,” said Keam. “As the co-author of this green jobs bill, I want to send the best possible version of the legislation to the Governor’s desk so we can begin to create these good jobs in Virginia as soon as possible.”
Keam-LeMunyon Letter to Editor in Washington Post
The Washington Post today published a letter from Delegates Keam and LeMunyon, who are leading the bipartsian effort to bring more transparency and accountability to Richmond by requiring all votes to be searched online by members’ names. Details about HB 778 are found at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+sum+HB778
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-opinions/2010/02/let_virginians_see_how_their_l.html
Posted at 7:05 PM ET, 02/22/2010
-
Let Virginians see how their legislators are voting
By Jim LeMunyon and Mark Keam
Richmond
In recent years, Internet technology has provided greater government transparency and accessibility. Virginia maintains an excellent Web site that enables the public to track legislation, follow committee and floor schedules and view video of proceedings. The history of every bill introduced in Virginia since 1994, including recorded votes, also can be easily retrieved.
But one feature is lacking. While recorded votes can be retrieved by bill number, they cannot be compiled using a member’s name. To assemble a member’s voting record, a user would have to know all of the bills that received votes (many die in committee) and type in each number, one by one, to view the “yeas” and “nays.”
Such an exercise would take days, if not weeks. The public deserves an easier way. That is why we introduced House Bill 778 — to require voting records to be organized by member name as well as bill number. On Feb. 16, the House bill passed 86 to 13. No member spoke against the bill on the floor, although some noted privately that this tool might help candidates challenging incumbents by making it easier to retrieve incumbents’ voting records. That may be so, but this bill would also help citizens hold their leaders accountable.
H.B. 778 is pending before the Senate Rules Committee. A former member of the Virginia House, Thomas Jefferson, once remarked, “If the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” Virginia’s delegates have affirmed their confidence in Mr. Jefferson’s words. Now it’s up to the Senate.
The writers are, respectively, first-term Republican and Democratic members of the Virginia House of Delegates from Fairfax County.
House passes Keam-Poindexter Green Jobs bill
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, February 19, 2010
Contact: Rob Abbot (703) 380-8883
For Immediate Release
Delegate Mark Keam’s Bipartisan “Green Jobs” Legislation unanimously adopted by the Virginia House of Delegates
RICHMOND – This morning, the full chamber of the Virginia House of Delegates voted on House Bill 803, which would provide income tax credit of $500 for each renewable energy job that an employer creates in Virginia.
HB 803, as adopted today on a 94 to 0 vote, is a combination of two similar bills that were drafted by Delegate Charles Poindexter (R-Franklin) and Delegate Mark Keam (D-Fairfax) which were combined into one bipartisan package.
Delegate Keam’s green jobs proposal was also included as a part of Governor Bob McDonnell’s comprehensive “Jobs and Opportunity Agenda.” Governor McDonnell and Delegate Keam jointly announced this proposal at a press conference held in Richmond on January 26, 2010.
“As we face devastating budget shortfalls, I hope all of us can agree that we need to increase our tax base to grow the economy,” said Keam. “Today, the House took an important step forward by passing a bill to attract good paying jobs to Virginia. Our bipartisan bill would make the entire Commonwealth a green jobs zone and we are open for business.”