What's at stake in the 2007 General Assembly Session

Governor Tim Kaine's email that went out today regarding the upcoming session of the Virginia General Assembly which begins on Wednesday:

Strong, effective Democratic leadership has Virginia headed in the right direction. In 2005, we were named Governing Magazine's "Best Managed State." In 2006, Forbes.com called Virginia the "Best State for Business." Just last week, Virginia's kids have been named Education Week's "Most Likely to Succeed."

On Wednesday, another General Assembly session begins. I've offered a strong legislative agenda that will strengthen our education system, reduce traffic, protect the environment, and give more Virginians access to health care. I'm going to fight for this agenda because making investments in Virginia's future is the right thing to do.

If you're with me, click here to contribute to Moving Virginia Forward, my leadership PAC, right away.

Once the session starts on Wednesday, I won't be able to ask for your help - Virginia law rightly prevents state elected officials from accepting contributions while the General Assembly is convened. That's why I'm asking for your help now - and why it's so important that we receive your contribution by midnight on Tuesday.

Time is short - we need your help today! Please contribute by clicking here by midnight Tuesday.

Here's what's at stake:

- Public Education. We must move our focus from competence to excellence. We need to make pre-kindergarten available to all Virginia 4-year olds, and we need to raise teacher pay to the national average.

- Transportation. We need greater accountability in our transportation system, with a focus on measurable improvements. We also need better connections between land use and transportation planning, and smart investments in road, rail and public transportation infrastructure.

- Health Care. We need to continue to improve the health of our citizens, and creating better access to the health care network.

- Protecting the God-given beauty of our Commonwealth. As we approach Virginia's 400th anniversary next year, I know we can make the commitment to preserve 400,000 acres of open space, farms and forests by the end of the decade.

Our winning campaign in 2005 created a covenant with Virginia voters. Keeping that pledge requires more than a vision - it demands that we work together to keep Virginia moving forward.

If you're ready to join me in securing Virginia's future, please make an online contribution today.

Together, we'll make Virginia an even better place to live and work. Yours,

Tim Kaine