Fairfax County Democrats face challenges in Richmond

Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has a message for the state legislature: “Don’t shift responsibilities to localities. Don’t disproportionately target Fairfax County.” With both the state and county struggling with huge budget shortfalls, you can expect some huge conflicts over how state funding will be allocated—and what new revenue sources might be proposed.

Speaking at the Fairfax County Democratic Committee’s annual Road to Richmond breakfast Jan. 3, Bulova outlined some of the county’s challenges: declining real estate tax receipts revenue in a loss of $232 million; a projected deficit of $316 million; a $176 million deficit in the school budget; and increased utility, retirement, and other costs.

Despite the disastrous statewide Democratic campaigns this fall—the Republicans swept the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general races—Democrats did win a few important legislative seats in Northern Virginia: Kaye Kory will represent the Annandale area in the House of Delegates, and Mark Keam and Scott Surovell were also elected to the House.

But with Republican Bob McDonnell in the statehouse, a Republican majority in the House, and a slight margin in the Senate, Democratic are going to have a tough time in Richmond. Democrats will have just 21 out of 40 seats in the Senate, and the lieutenant governor casts the tie vote.

That’s why Fairfax Democrats are mobilizing to elect Del. Dave Marsden of Burke to the Senate in a special election Jan. 12. That is the seat held by Republican Ken Cuccinelli, elected Virginia’s attorney general Nov. 3.

Del. Jim Scott (Falls Church) emphasized the importance of maintaining a Democratic majority when the state legislation begins tackling redistricting, which will occur in 2011. “We need to ensure redistricting is reasonably fair,” he said. “Electing Dave Marsden is crucial.”