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I started volunteering with Arlington Democrats though Arlington Young Democrats when I first moved to Arlington in 2006; I've volunteered on most elections since then. As Building Ambassador of The Whitmore and Precinct Captain of Barcroft, I've held at least six to eight voter registration events since 2016 and organized a meet & greet with Matt de Ferranti.  Canvass-wise, I've canvassed my entire building (all 211 units) during most of the primaries, the 2016 Presidential election (and other South Arlington precincts), 2017 Governor's election, and our most recent midterms. For Beyond Arlington, I canvassed in the 2017 special elections in the 22nd District (Lynchburg) for Ryant Washington in the middle of a snow storm and for Representative Abigail Spanberger in Henrico in our the midterms. Previously, I canvassed for President Barack Obama in Woodlawn when I lived in North Arlington. For my day job, I'm a regional manager of a wine & spirits distributing company, so everyone knows I have the good wine at my apartment and will bring the good stuff to parties!  For fun, I often travel to see the world; last year, I traveled internationally four times. I highly enjoy music so I can be found at numerous music venues in D.C. attending a show. Do you live in a multi-unit building in Arlington? You can sign up to be a building ambassador too!

Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting in March! This meeting features an overview of volunteer opportunities and upcoming events, as well as several exciting candidate announcements. Create change in your community. Get involved with Arlington Dems today! View the Meeting Presentation | View the Agenda | Event details and location

President Trump declared a national emergency on February 15 in order to build a wall on the southern border “faster.” Through his declaration, the President claimed the ability to re-direct funds previously appropriated by Congress for military construction projects elsewhere, along with forfeiture funds held by the Treasury and Defense Departments. He diverted billions of dollars to fund the building of a physical barrier along parts of the border. Trump’s use of his emergency powers to circumvent Congress may violate the Constitution’s separation of powers provisions and is an unprecedented use of the 1976 National Emergencies Act (NEA). Passed after President Nixon abused the emergency powers of the Presidency by declaring a national emergency to end a postal workers’ strike, the NEA was designed to limit Presidential emergency powers and establish clearer checks on the Executive Branch. The NEA limited Presidential emergency powers to only those specified in the statute, a total of 136 provisions. It is widely agreed that President Trump’s emergency declaration is a mechanism to work around the Congressional appropriations process rather than a response to circumstances along the southern border. A number of states, organizations, and individuals are suing in various federal courts to enjoin any effort to implement the declaration. In addition, Congress could block the President’s usurpation of its power over the purse. Under the NEA, Congress has the power to terminate an emergency declaration through a joint resolution. While a joint resolution initially requires only a simple majority in both houses to pass, the President has the power to veto it. After a veto, Congress would need a 2/3 majority in both houses to terminate the declaration. Democrats in the House expect to pass a resolution terminating Trump’s emergency declaration in the coming days. By law, the Senate must consider the resolution within 15 days of its passing the House. In the Republican-controlled Senate, however, the fate of the resolution is unclear. Four Republicans would have to join with Senate Democrats for the resolution to attract a majority vote. At least one Republican, Sen. Collins, has already said she will support a “clean” resolution, and seven other Republicans have opposed the declaration without committing to support a joint resolution. It is possible that enough Republicans might join that the joint resolution rejecting Trump’s declaration would pass the Senate. Despite the possibility of a veto, it is important that Congress take a stand against the President’s overreach. This action would indicate that the President’s abuse of his NEA powers is unacceptable, pose a deterrent to any improper Presidential exercise of the Emergencies Act in the future, and provide support for lawsuits claiming that the President has violated the separation of powers principle of the United States Constitution. Our representatives – Rep. Don Beyer, Sen. Mark Warner, and Sen. Tim Kaine – have all expressed their opposition to the emergency declaration. But it is important that they know how much it matters to you that they do everything possible to stop the President’s power grab. Email them today and say: Please vote to reject the President’s unwarranted and dangerous emergency declaration. The President lacks the power to circumvent Congress by spending billions of dollars for an unauthorized purpose. E-mail Rep. Don Beyer at https://beyer.house.gov/contact/ E-mail Senator Warner at https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage E-mail Senator Kaine at https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion

Do you live in a multi-unit building in Arlington? You can sign up to be a building ambassador too! Q: Why do you volunteer for Arlington Dems? A:  I like to be politically involved in my community. I'm glad to do my part to help move our county, our commonwealth, and our country forward. Our proximity to the District and our pivotal role in the Virginia political scene allow Arlington Dems have an impact. I've also made new friends & been able to learn more about my local community. Q: What do you do for a living? Do you have any hobbies? A: I currently serve as a legislative staffer for Rep. Bill Keating of Massachusetts, with a portfolio centered on energy, environment, and natural resource issues. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and enjoying our amazing array of local restaurants and live music venues. Q: What do you like about where you live? A: My wife and I have lived in Ballston Place in the Virginia Square area for just over five years. The neighborhood is so walkable & pleasant, especially in the summer. Q: How did you register your neighbors to vote? Have you done anything else as an ambassador? A: I have registered voters in my building over the last three years by holding events in the lobby, posting fliers in common areas & elevators, and sharing registration and polling place information in a building-specific social media group. I've also volunteered for canvassing activities, fundraising events, and political marches in the Arlington area and beyond.

Below is an email sent by Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo on Feb. 10 referencing the turmoil roiling Richmond and what our path and goals are moving forward. We're adding it to The Voice in case anyone missed it. Arlington Democrats, We are all struggling to deal with the disturbing news from Richmond. I have sat down to pen this email to you multiple times over the past week, only to have my sentiments overtaken by the latest news cycle. I do not know how these controversies will end. ARLINGTON DEMOCRATS' ROLE IN NAVIGATING THIS CHALLENGE But as I said at our monthly meeting on Wednesday, I do know that Arlington Democrats have a role to play in moving our community forward through these difficult times. We may not be able to affect the outcomes of the dramas happening in Richmond, but we can have an impact in our own community. We can reject hate and support sexual assault survivors. We can channel our collective anger that issues of racism and sexual assault still plague us into finding positive solutions for the manifestations of these issues in our own community. We also can remember that the 2017 election was never about one or two individuals. It was about a movement of grassroots activists of all backgrounds and ages rising up to provide a badly needed course correction for our country. The rise of progressive activism was the central victory of the 2017 election. No subsequent controversy, however hurtful, can take that victory away from us. Only we have the power to do that — only we can decide whether we will allow this heartbreak also to break our activist spirit. TOO MUCH TO ACCOMPLISH TO GIVE UP To that question, Arlington Democrats, I say NO. I will not allow the failings of individual leaders to dampen my activist spirit. I cannot — there is simply too much work to be done to achieve a fairer, safer and more prosperous Commonwealth. The stakes are too high. As in early 2017, I am once again picking myself up and dusting myself off. Two steps forward, one step back: it's time for the heart of the Democratic Party — its local activists — to keep moving forward again. In that spirit, and mindful that Democrats must re-earn the trust of voters and volunteers that has been lost over the past few days, I respectfully invite you to join me at several upcoming events, detailed below. Some are organized by Arlington Democrats; others are community events. Now more than ever, we need both: to lead in our own right, and to meet our neighbors where they are. I hope that you will join me in the struggle to lead our Party, our community, and our Commonwealth forward. In solidarity, Jill Caiazzo Chair, Arlington Democrats UPCOMING EVENTS (Full Details Available on the ARLDems Facebook Event Page or the calendar) Feb 10 - Arlington Democrats Listening Session on Sexual Assault | 6:30 to 8:30 pm | Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S Dinwiddie St) Feb 12 - Arlington Perennials Senior Dem Lunch | 12 to 2 pm | Busboys & Poets Shirlington (4251 Campbell Ave) Feb 13 - Arlington Committee of 100 Program on Countering Hate | 7 to 9 pm | Marymount University (2807 N Glebe Rd) Feb 14 - Arlington Historical Society Panel Discussion on Desegregation | 7 to 9 pm | Marymount University (2807 N Glebe Rd) Feb 20 - Arlington Young Democrats Monthly Meeting | 7 to 9 pm | 2200 12th Ct N Feb 23 - Arlington Feel the Heritage Festival | 1 to 6 pm | Drew Community Center (3500 23rd St S) Mar 3 - Legislative Session Debrief with Sen. Howell & Delegate Hope | 3:30 to 5:00 pm | Central Library (1015 N Quincy St) Mar 6 - Arlington Democrats Monthly Meeting | 7 to 9 pm | NRECA Building (4301 Wilson Blvd)

The new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives has demonstrated its commitment to fair, secure, and truly representative elections by introducing a multi-faceted bill as its first legislation of the term. HR 1 is organized into three sections: voting, campaign finance, and government ethics. As described in a 22-page guide issued by one of its primary sponsors, Md. Rep. John Sarbanes, it would facilitate much higher voter turnout, end partisan gerrymandering, reform campaign-finance rules, and strengthen election security. It would also expand the reach of and strengthen government ethics rules. HR 1 would amplify the people’s voice, making government work more effectively for all. The bill would encourage higher turnout in part by, for all federal elections, requiring automatic eligible-voter registration and same-day registration. Voters could also register to vote or update their registrations online. The legislation would limit the ability of states to purge voter rolls and would automatically restore the voting rights of felons who had served their sentences. It would require at least 15 consecutive days of early voting and simplify absentee voting. It would make election day a holiday for federal employees. It would also provide for gathering the data needed to restore important provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which the Supreme Court gutted in 2013 in Shelby County v. Holder. HR 1 would take away state legislators’ authority to draw Congressional district lines. Instead, it would assign that work to independent commissions. HR 1’s campaign-finance provisions would require increased disclosure of the sources of money used for campaign expenditures. They would also establish a publicly funded matching system for small donations, reducing candidates’ dependence on large donors. The legislation would strengthen the Federal Election Commission, which has been ineffectual. The bill would improve election security in a number of ways, from requiring use and retention of paper ballots to protect the ability to conduct reliable recounts, to strengthening cybersecurity protections. It would provide for grants to the states to help fund these initiatives. Finally, the legislation would strengthen ethics rules throughout the government. It would also require Presidential candidates to release their tax returns. House Democrats’ HR 1 is co-sponsored by some 221 members, most of the Democrats in the House. It is expected to make its way through several committees before coming up for a vote in the full House, probably within a month. The Democratic House leadership also plans to pass separate, smaller bills, each containing some of the provisions of HR 1. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he will not allow HR 1 to come up for a vote in the Senate, there is hope that he would allow votes on some of the smaller bills containing individual elements of HR 1. Let our representatives in Washington know that you support fair and secure elections in which all citizens have convenient access to the polls. E-mail Rep. Don Beyer at https://beyer.house.gov/contact/. Tell him: Thank you for working to pass HR 1; this much-needed legislation would go far to strengthen our election process. E-mail Senator Warner at https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage E-mail Senator Kaine at https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion. Tell them:I strongly support HR 1 and urge you to work for passage of equivalent legislation or portions of it in the Senate. We need fairer and more secure elections, and also stronger ethics rules in government. Photo by Stephanie McCabe on Unsplash

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine’s Office to Join Arlington Democrats’ 2nd “Missing Paychecks Lunch & Protest” Friday, Jan. 25, for #FurloughedFeds and Contractors Hurt by #TrumpShutdown ARLINGTON, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019—Members of the office of U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) will join Arlington Democrats, Arlington Young Democrats, Indivisible Arlington, Virginia Democracy Forward and Arlington Democrats Blue Families on Friday, Jan. 25, for the second “Missing Paychecks Lunch & Protest.” This event, at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Virginia Square, is in solidarity with federal employees and contractors hurt by the #TrumpShutdown, which has entered its second month and is the longest federal government shutdown in history. Federal employees and contractors and their families and friends are invited for a free potluck lunch and update on the shutdown, including the Democratic response. Kaine’s personal appearance depends on the status of negotiations over the shutdown, but Mike Henry, his chief of staff, will attend. Furlough employees will also be encouraged to share their shutdown stories. “Federal employees and contractors throughout Arlington, the DMV and the country face potential financial ruin at the hands of President Trump, who is holding their paychecks hostage, rather than doing his job and negotiating with Congress,” Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo said. “We stand in support and solidarity with our furloughed neighbors and friends. We have their backs and will continue to push for an end to this dangerous and damaging shutdown.” About 75 gathered for Arlington Democrats’ first “feast for fearful, fed-up, furloughed feds” in mid-January. They heard from fellow furloughed workers and contractors, and U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va., 8th District). WHAT: Arlington Democrats’ 2nd “Missing Paychecks Potluck & Protest” WHEN: Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, noon-1:30 p.m. WHERE: St. George’s Episcopal Church, 915 N. Oakland St., Arlington, VA 22203 (1 block from Virginia Square Metro) WHY: To show support for furloughed federal employees and contractors and to provide a safe space for sharing shutdown experiences. MISC: Those who can are welcomed to bring a dish to share. (Recommendations: People with last names beginning with A-I, bring side dishes, J-R, bring main dishes, and S-Z, bring desserts). Furloughed federal employees and contractors are invited as guests. Event partners for Friday’s events include: VA Democracy Forward, a grassroots group based in Northern Virginia whose mission is to restore and advance progressive Democratic values; Indivisible Arlington a chapter of the national grassroots movement devoted to resisting the Trump agenda by pressuring Republican members of Congress to vote against it and discouraging Democrats from going along with it; Arlington Young Democrats, a group of progressive and liberal individuals who provide an inclusive, growing, and empowering forum for all community members. Arlington Democrats Blue Families is an initiative of the Arlington Democrats to encourage parents and their children to become involved in progressive political activism. About 800,000 federal workers and anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of federal contractors are now affected by the shutdown, according to The Washington Post. Nearly 10,000 federal employees and contractors filed for unemployment compensation earlier this month, according to Government Executive, a number that had grown 10-fold since the shutdown’s second week, and is expected to continue to rise. Scores of charities and businesses in the DMV are aiding furloughed workers with food banks, free meals, financial assistance and other support. The shutdown began Dec. 22, 2018, after Trump refused to sign legislation that would fund the federal government’s full operations—legislation he earlier agreed to ratify—unless Congress approves $5.7 billion in funding to begin constructing a massive wall on the country’s border with Mexico. Congressional Democrats have signaled their willingness to negotiate with Trump after the government re-opens. The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Democrats) is the official county organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Arlington Democrats is open to anyone interested in advancing Democratic candidates, policy priorities and values in Arlington. Learn more at the Arlington Democrats website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

WHEREAS gerrymandering, the deliberate manipulation of legislative districts to advantage a particular party or group, distorts the electoral process and undermines democracy; WHEREAS Virginia’s Congressional and state districts are redrawn every ten years to account for population changes reflected in the national census; WHEREAS the Virginia Legislature historically has redrawn district lines, resulting in the party in power gerrymandering districts to retain power; WHEREAS the Supreme Court of the United States held that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional, but recently declined to rule on the constitutionality of political gerrymandering; WHEREAS one independent assessment found that Virginia was the fifth most gerrymandered state in the country, both on the congressional and state levels, based on lack of compactness and contiguity of its district, before a federal panel of judges struck down several of Virginia’s House of Delegate districts in 2018 and several congressional district maps in 2016 due to racial gerrymandering; WHEREAS judicial intervention for racial gerrymandering is an ineffective solution due to its time-intensive nature and fact that districts are redrawn every ten years; WHEREAS an independent redistricting commission would promote district maps where voters could elect their politicians rather than politicians selecting their voters; WHEREAS the Arlington Democrats support redistricting reform in Virginia for state legislative and federal congressional districts; WHEREAS the Arlington Democrats maintain that transparent and non-partisan redistricting reform is essential to build a more trustworthy, accountable, and healthy democracy for our state and nation; and WHEREAS amending the Virginia Constitution to institute redistricting reform is a multi-year process that must begin in the 2019 legislative session so a commission can begin by the next redistricting period in 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Arlington Democrats fully support an independent redistricting commission to protect and promote democracy in Virginia and call for all members of the 2019 Virginia Legislature to pass a Constitutional Amendment establishing a non-partisan redistricting commission. Passed and Approved this Resolution on the 9th day of January, 2019.

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 4, 2019 — To maintain the record-breaking momentum Arlington County Democratic candidates achieved in the November 2018 midterm elections, the Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) has created two new mechanisms to support Democratic candidates in upcoming elections, beginning with the 2019 election cycle. Prospective Candidate Open House In partnership with the progressive political organization “Run For Something,” Arlington Dems will host its first Open House on Jan. 7 for candidates interested in pursuing Arlington Democrats nominations/endorsements in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 cycles, and beyond: What: Arlington County Democratic Committee Prospective Candidate Open House Where: Shirlington Public Library, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va. When: Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m. During the Open House, Arlington Democrats will provide an overview of the party nomination and endorsement process, while Run for Something will offer a primer on the nuts and bolts of running a campaign. Launched Jan. 20, 2017—inauguration day of President Donald Trump—Run for Something helps to recruit and support young, diverse progressives to run for down-ballot races to create a next-generation slate of candidates to seek higher office in the future. “The future of the Democratic Party in Arlington, in Virginia and across the country relies on attracting, training and supporting passionate and dedicated candidates with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints,” Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo said. “Arlington Dems is committed to identifying, preparing and sustaining these individuals, who represent the future of our country.” Prospective Campaign Staff Resume Bank To further support first-time candidates, Arlington Dems also has established a resume bank that will connect potential campaign staff members to Democratic nominees and endorsees. Both seasoned campaign staff and those contemplating working for a campaign for the first time are invited to add their resumes and complete the accompanying interest form at arlingtondems.org/resume-bank. Campaign positions range from paid staff to volunteer. Key Dates and Importance of 2019 Elections The primary for the 2019 Virginia elections will be held June 11, while the general election is slated for Nov. 5. All 40 Virginia Senate and 100 Virginia House of Delegates seats will be on the ballot, along with many local offices. The deadline to file required paperwork for those running for the Virginia State Legislature is March 28. More information is available in the Virginia Department of Elections “Candidate Bulletin.” Information for prospective candidates for other offices is also available from the department. The 2019 Virginia elections will be critical to solidifying the Democratic Party’s position in the state. “In 2019, Democrats have the chance to win majorities in both the Virginia state Senate and House of Delegates. When we send Democrats to Richmond, good things—like Medicaid expansion—happen,” Caiazzo said. Winning these majorities is particularly critical ahead of the post-2020 redistricting cycle. The Virginia State Legislature draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. “In addition to strongly defending our local offices, Arlington Dems will relentlessly pursue redistricting reform—and a big win in the 2019 races is key to those efforts,” Caiazzo added. The 2019 Virginia elections will give the state's Democrats the opportunity for a third consecutive record-breaking elections. Democrats won 15 Republican-held seats in the November 2017 state House elections, the biggest electoral shift toward the Democrats since 1899. The Arlington County Democratic Committee is neutral in candidate selection, and committed to providing equitable resources to any Democrat interested in running for office.

Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting in January at Key Elementary! This meeting features an overview of volunteer opportunities and upcoming events, as well as several exciting candidate announcements. Create change in your community. Get involved with Arlington Dems today! View the agenda | Steering Committee appointments | Event details and location From the meeting: Meeting Presentation Slides Resolution Supporting Non-Partisan Redistricting 2019 School Board Caucus Rules* *Work is under way to confirm the dates/times/locations for the caucus voting. The rules will be updated as soon as this information is available.

With 2018 coming to an end, it’s a great time for us to look back on the Arlington Dems top 10 favorite stories and moments of the year. Check it out!

Throughout 2018, the dangers of climate change have become more immediate, with a series of devastating hurricanes, ever higher temperatures, and record-setting wildfires. A comprehensive report from a group of federal agencies was released over Thanksgiving weekend and described the dire risks in detail. (Summary.) Although carbon emissions are expected to rise this year after years of decline in the early 2010’s, the Trump administration has now announced that it plans to lift Obama administration rules requiring most new coal-burning plants to install carbon-reduction technology. While the federal government moves backwards, we must spur action at the state and local levels if the planet is to survive. One important step would be to relax existing restraints on the generation of solar power in Virginia. The Solar Freedom Bill to reverse or amend eight restrictions on solar generation will be introduced in the upcoming 2019 term of the Virginia legislature. Some of the limitations were sponsored by traditional utilities in order to make solar power more cumbersome and expensive – and thus less competitive – than their own power. Others were at least ostensibly based on technical concerns that have since been solved. None can be justified today. Because the proposed legislation would undo rather than impose regulation, it could attract sufficient Republican support to pass. Governor Northam would likely sign it. Cumulatively, these reforms would encourage production and use of significantly more solar energy in Virginia. Summary of the LegislationSome of the proposed changes would reduce restrictions on the transport and allocation of solar energy. For example, local governments could install solar facilities on government-owned land and use the energy generated at schools and other government-owned buildings, even if they are not contiguous to the generation site. Customers could attribute output from a single solar array to multiple meters on the site or adjacent properties owned by the customer. Other proposed changes would allow increases in the total amount of solar energy generated. Importantly, the 1% cap on the total amount of solar energy that can be net-metered (or transferred into the grid) in a utility’s service territory would be lifted. Customers also could install a net-metered solar facility larger than required to meet their previous 12 months’ demand. The cap for net-metered non-residential solar facilities would be doubled from 1 to 2 megawatts. Finally, other proposed changes would make solar generation more economical. All classes of customers statewide could finance installation with power purchase agreements under which the generation facilities installed at a property are paid for by a third party, which thereby earns a tax deduction, while the property-owner can purchase the resulting solar energy instead of relying only on dirty power from the incumbent utility. Owners of a multi-family residential building also could install a solar facility on the building or surrounding property and sell the electricity to tenants. In addition, certain charges on residential facilities sized between 10-20 kilowatts would be eliminated. What You Can DoThis legislation can pass if it generates popular support, but may not succeed without that support. You can help: Find out your state representatives here: https://www.virginia.gov/services/whos-my-legislator/ Call your state Senator: Adam Ebbin: 571-384-8957; 804-698-7530 (Legislative Office when in session) (District 30) Barbara Favola: 703-835-4845; 804-698-7531 (Legislative Office when in session) (District 31) Janet Howell: 703-709-8283; 804-698-7532 (Legislative Office when in session) (District 32) Call your Delegate: Mark H. Levine: 571-234-8481; 804-698-1045 (Legislative Office when in session) (District 45) Patrick Hope: 703-486-1010; 804-698-1047 (Legislative Office when in session) (District 47) Rip Sullivan: 571-210-5876; 804-698-1048 (Legislative Office when in session) (District 48) Alfonso Lopez: 571-336-2147;804-698-1049 (Legislative Office when in session) (District 49) Urge them to work for passage in the 2019 term of all of the provisions of the Solar Freedom Bill. Take a day to visit your Delegate and Senator in Richmond in January or February. Take some friends with you. Schedule these visits with your elected officials in advance to maximize your chances of an in-person meeting with your official. Publicize the proposed legislation on social media and write a letter to your local newspaper about the Solar Freedom Bill.