Blog & News

Issue: Virginia’s children deserve 21st century classrooms, not 20th century trailers. Technology is everywhere around us, and Brian Moran wants to put more of it in our schools. That’s why he will integrate advanced technologies, such as smart phones, smart boards, and virtual technologies into student learning.

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The votes are tallied and the results are in, Brian Moran has won the Virginia Young Democrats statewide Straw Poll. Brian racked up a little over 44% of the vote. This is further evidence your grassroots hard work is paying off.

A special thank you and recognition go out to Chris Collins, Jessica Bowman, Jessica Abramson, Dominic Gabello, and Rose Clouston for their hard work to make this victory happen.

Thank you also to all of the Young Democrats and College Students who came out and voted. Now, on to June 9th!!!

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Issue: There is no substitute for a good teacher in the classroom. With two children in Virginia’s public schools, Brian has seen the difference a good teacher can make. Brian Moran will continue his efforts to raise teachers’ salaries to the national average. He is also committed to strengthening teachers’ benefits, because teachers do yeoman’s work for little money, and they deserve a secure retirement.

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Today, Brian picked up even more endorsements from Hampton Roads as well as Sheriffs across Virginia.

Brian picked up the support of Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Whitt and Northampton Sheriff Jack Robbins. They both stated Brian’s proven leadership on public safety issues in the Commonwealth and his ability to protect communities.

Hampton Roads leaders included former Chesapeake Mayor William Ward, Hampton City Council Members George Wallace and Paige Washington, Chair of the Chesapeake School Board Sheila Hill and Chesapeake School Board Member Tina Pullen join numerous mayors, delegates and other leaders in their public support of Moran. They cited Brian’s long record of fighting for Virginia’s families and improvements in education.

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Issue: We know that 90% of brain development occurs before a child reaches their fifth birthday. That’s why Brian Moran stood with Tim Kaine when he announced the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) to expand pre-kindergarten to “at risk” four year olds.

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This is the 25th reason why Brian Moran should be our next Governor. The Washington Post Wednesday ran a wonderful piece “Democrats’ Dutiful Son, Steps Into Spotlight”. It reiterated what we all know, that though we’re highlighting 30 reasons, there’s hundreds more that go unmentioned.

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Issue: Older Virginians should receive the high-quality care they deserve.

As governor, Brian Moran will invest in services that help older Virginians remain independent and in their homes as long as possible. He is committed to eliminating waiting lists for home-delivered meals by the end of his term and to investing in in-home services and respite care. He will also provide grants for innovative partnerships between area agencies on aging and local departments of social services.

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In downtown Fredericksburg yesterday, grassroots Democratic leaders and local elected officials announced their support of Brian Moran for Governor. Brian received the support of the current and former Democratic chairs in Fredericksburg and Stafford County, the Commonwealth’s Attorney of Fredericksburg, and former House of Delegates candidate Carlos Del Toro. Each cited Brian’s proven record of fighting for Virginia families and his progressive solutions for the Commonwealth’s challenges.

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Karyn Moran opened the new Moran campaign headquarters in Charlottesville Tuesday evening. The office is entirely created by and staffed by dedicated volunteers in the Charlottesville area. Further proof, this campaign is driven by grassroots supporters like you.

The opening was featured on NBC29 last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9phHlbVrko

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Brigid Shulte of the Washington Post has written a fantastic piece on Brian. It's a must read and reaffirms what we all know, Brian Moran should be our next Governor.

You can read the article here, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/26/AR2009052602998.html

Also check out a nice photo gallery of Brian, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/05/26/GA2009052602919.html

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Issue: Today, Virginia’s seniors and those looking toward retirement are facing economic challenges unlike any since the Great Depression. The same is true for those who hope to retire in the coming years. Unfortunately, too many of Virginia’s small businesses are unable to offer quality retirement benefits to their employees. Virginia’s small businesses and their workers deserve better.

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Issue: Veterans should not return from being deployed overseas only to be unemployed at home. When our veterans return from posts across the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, no one will be a stronger advocate to help them secure good jobs here at home than Brian.

We will work with Virginia’s community colleges to guarantee admission to green jobs training programs. Virginia’s veterans have led on the front lines abroad, and they can help lead Virginia toward a green energy future at home.

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Issue: Veterans should not return from being deployed overseas only to be unemployed at home. When our veterans return from posts across the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, no one will be a stronger advocate to help them secure good jobs here at home than Brian. As Governor, Brian Moran will create a Warriors to Work initiative that puts our veterans to work strengthening Virginia.

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Issue: Too often, today’s veterans are not getting the health care they deserve. There are gaps in the treatment availability of federal programs for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and polytrauma. In view of these gaps at the federal level, Virginia must lead to ensure that our veterans receive the care they need. Brian knows that our commitment to the brave men and women who serve must continue beyond active duty.

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Issue: Veterans shouldn’t have to sacrifice their jobs, health care, or homes in order to serve their commonwealth and their country. That is why, as a legislative leader, Brian fought for a Veterans’ and Military Personnel’s Bill of Rights to support our military families. As governor, he will keep fighting for a Veterans’ and Military Personnel’s Bill of Rights and will propose it every year until it passes.

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Hampton Roads WAVY10/NBC covers Brian Moran's "Honoring Virginia" plan. Moran is the only Democrat running for Governor with a plan for Virginia's Veterans.

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Brian Moran announced his Honoring Virginia plan today as part of his continuing efforts to ensure the physical, emotional and financial well-being of Virginia’s veterans and military personnel. Moran respects Virginia's proud military tradition and will continue fighting to give our military personnel and veterans the support they deserve. Moran held a roundtable with Hampton Roads veterans at a local VFW hall to discuss the plan. Moran’s father served in the Navy during the Second World War.

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Brian Moran won the Fredericksburg Democratic Committee straw poll with 73% of the vote. It's clear that the campaign, run from the bottom up, has grassroots support all across Virginia. In small towns and big cities, people know that Brian Moran has fought for them and he's someone we can trust. Read the rest of this entry

Idea: Aging issues will continually become more urgent to the Commonwealth as the number of older Virginians continues to grow over the next 20 years. Next year, almost 20 percent of the population will be over 60. That number will grow to nearly 25 percent by 2030, a marked 120 percent increase since 2000.

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Older Virginians should receive the high quality care they deserve. Brian Moran will work to develop and fund innovative approaches to recruiting, training and paying a decent wage to direct-care providers such as certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and home-based services providers. He supports strengthening Virginia’s Auxiliary Grant program to ensure that all older Virginians can afford to live in dignity. He supports ensuring that all licensed health care professionals undergo periodic assessment and evaluation of their knowledge and skills as a condition of relicensure. Brian Moran will also create a web-accessible quality ratings system for assisted living facilities so that consumers and their families can find the best one for them.

You can read the full Healthy Virginia Plan at, http://www.brianmoran.com/assets/2009/2/19/Healthy_Virginia_Plan.pdf.

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Idea: As governor, he will support long term care alternatives, such as all-inclusive care that includes social, medical and personal care services in one package, so that seniors can age with dignity in their own homes. Brian Moran is also committed to strengthening Virginia’s long term care accountability and watchdog efforts to protect older Virginians.

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Idea: As governor, Brian Moran will work to provide older Virginians a clear and simple gateway to ensure they get the services they need. Brian Moran is committed to eliminating the waiting lists for home-delivered meals by the end of his term and to investing in in-home services and respite care. He will also provide grants for innovative partnerships between area agencies on aging and local departments of social services.

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Idea: Remove restrictions on state funding for stem cell research to encourage innovative research and cures to the many diseases, such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons, that afflict so many Virginians.

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When it comes to working to expand health care availability and affordability, Brian has not just talked the talk, he has walked the walk. Brian Moran made sure that vaccinations for childhood illnesses were required for all school children and fought to ban smoking in public areas, places like hospitals and restaurants. He believes that preventing illness and promoting healthy lifestyles will save Virginians money, prevent runaway insurance costs, and keep Virginians healthy. That is why, as governor, Brian will make reducing infant mortality and obesity a top priority.

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Last July I went to a Remote Area Medical Clinic at the Wise County fairgrounds in Southwest Virginia where, for three days health care is provided to whoever shows up.

While I was there, in Wise County, a friend of mine asked me, "Do you mind blood?"  I was thinking to myself, "what exactly am I getting into?"

Sure enough, I rounded the corner and saw blood all over the floor of the makeshift dental clinic. There were three rows of dental chairs, and people were having teeth extracted right and left. It was the only opportunity for some of these folks to get dental care anytime, ever.

We have to provide more access to health care to all our citizens. Click here to read my Healthy Virginia plan.

Some of the ideas in the plan include:

• Health insurance for every child -- which I'm the only candidate for Governor calling for;
  
• Offering retention incentives for health-care providers to remain in rural communities; and
  
• Working with community colleges in rural areas to train more Virginians in high demand health- care fields.
  

In Wise County you have lots of people with no health insurance and, what's worse, very little access to non-emergency medical care. Only a few hours from Washington, D.C., the capital of the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, medical care should be accessible and affordable. When I am Governor, I will work to ensure that every citizen has access to the medical care they need.

When I'm governor, we're going to invest in Remote Area Medical Clinics and expand the programs so it's not just one weekend a year. Click here to read my Healthy Virginia plan.

Thank you,

Congressman Patrick Kennedy announced his endorsement of Brian Moran for Governor. Congressman Kennedy cited Brian’s commitment to public service and to the working people of Virginia. Congressman Kennedy is currently serving his eighth term as the Representative of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District.

“Last November, families in Virginia and across the nation helped usher in a new generation of leadership. However, the need for this new generation of leaders is not confined to Washington and the White House. I believe there is only one candidate in the race for Governor of Virginia who represents the same values, the same principles, and the same ideals that I have stood and fought for throughout my career in public service.

Today, I want to add my voice to the growing number of people who believe that Brian Moran is the right man to lead Virginia into the next decade. For 20 years Brian Moran has proven himself to be a dedicated public servant who will fight for the people of Virginia. As Governor, he will continue to battle for the hard working people of Virginia each and every day.

When I was young, my family instilled in me an appreciation for the challenges of public service. Brian Moran also comes from such a family. As Governor, I know he will represent the values that have made Virginia strong throughout our nation’s history.

We live in a difficult time. We continue to face economic uncertainty at home and instability abroad. Virginia’s next Governor will need the empathy to understand the hardships working families face every day and the strength to fight for those families. For two decades, Brian Moran has built his career on compassion and strength. He has fought to preserve our environment, to raise the minimum wage, to expand healthcare, and to pay our teachers better. Despite often facing daunting odds, he has embraced each challenge and never faltered in his commitment to the people of Virginia.

Brian is a man who believes in the inherent strength that exists in one’s commitment to family and community. His dedication to public service and steadfastness to improve the lives of his fellow citizens is unwavering. He understands that we face tough times ahead, but has no doubt that with ingenuity, resolve, and our indomitable spirit as Americans we can once again make this country the land of opportunity and success. I know he will be a strong partner for President Obama in bringing long-term prosperity to our country and Virginia.

I am proud to stand beside Brian as the candidate for Governor who will represent the hardworking families of Virginia and who embodies the next generation of leadership our country has ushered in.”

Mrs. Ethel Kennedy, widow of former Senator Robert F. Kennedy, will host a fundraiser to benefit the Moran campaign on Wednesday, May 27th at her home, Hickory Hill, in McLean. Read the rest of this entry

Idea: Increase rural health clinics. Leverage additional federal funding for Medically Underserved Areas and Health Professional Shortage Areas to increase support for health care in rural Virginia. Support and incentivize hospitals and nonprofits to better serve Virginians in underserved areas.

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Idea: Offer retention incentives for health care providers to remain in rural communities and work with community colleges in rural areas to train more Virginians in high demand health care fields. Offer incentives to doctors and nurses to practice med¬icine in Virginia’s rural communities.

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The Idea: Create small business health care purchasing pools so that small businesses across Virginia can increase their bargaining power and negotiate lower premiums and better benefits.

Approximately 1 million Virginians lack health insurance, meaning that one in five adults and one in eleven children are uninsured. In fact, the self-employed and those working in businesses with fewer than 100 employees make up the majority of those who lack health insurance. That is why Brian believes that Virginia must expand access to affordable health care for individuals and small businesses.

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Brian Moran is the only candidate for governor with a plan to insure every child in Virginia. Virginia currently has 200,000 children without health insurance. Brian Moran believes that every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and ready to learn.

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From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, Brian is committed to protecting Virginia’s natural treasures. Brian understands that preserving our precious resources are not only good environmental policy, but also critical to growing Virginia’s tourism economy. That’s why, as governor, Brian will significantly increase land preservation and protect Virginia’s natural resources.

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As an advocate of responsible energy usage, Brian knows that energy efficiency alone can save Virginia nearly 10% of our electricity needs by 2015. He is committed to investing in smart grid technologies, home weatherization programs, and other smart, efficient solutions to reduce energy costs and use, such as directing state government to purchase energy efficient equipment and compact florescent light bulbs and ensuring that sprinkler systems have rain sensors to reduce water usage.

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Brian understands that protecting our environment and creating jobs must go hand in hand, and that is why he is committed to investing in the new, green economy. He will create thousands of new green jobs and bring tens of millions of dollars to Virginia by investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy and new technologies. From scientists to carpenters, and engineers to farmers, this means new jobs for Virginians. Brian believes that Virginia has the resources, the ability and the talent to lead the nation in the new green economy.

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Crossposted on Organize Virginia

It’s less than 5 weeks to the June 9^th primary and thousands of individuals are gearing up to make sure Brian Moran is our nominee to take on Bob McDonnell this November.  So many people are working hard to make this happen.  The outpouring of enthusiasm online and offline has been amazing. 

Numerous communities have sprung up, Organize Virginia, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, have seen thousands of people take up the call to arms.

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Brian Moran is committed to stopping the proposed coal-fired power plant in Surry County, Virginia, a 750-1500 Megawatt facility that will produce hundreds of tons of pollution each year and will contribute to global warming. We Can't Solve 21st Century Challenges with 19th Century Solutions: No to the Surry Coal Plant

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Brian has a proven record as a champion of incentives to produce energy from clean, renewable sources. He is the first candidate to call for a 25% Renewable Portfolio Standard by 2025. This means 25% of Virginia’s energy will come from clean sources like solar, offshore and wind, waste to energy, and other forms of alternative and renewable energy.
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Brian Moran is the only candidate to protect our environment by standing against offshore drilling because we can't solve 21st century challenges with 19th century solutions.

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Over the next 30 days, we'll be presenting one reason a day why Brian Moran is the best person to be the next Governor of Virginia.

Brian knows how hard work can get things accomplished. His background shows he's experienced what Virginians struggle through every day And his two decades as a public servant has shown he'll fight to get things done.

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This weekend, we debuted our latest radio ad entitled "100 Days." The new radio ad will air in Hampton Roads and celebrates the first 100 days of President Barack Obama’s term.

The ad features former Virginia Beach City Councilwoman and Obama National Delegate, Louisa Strayhorn. She highlights key support Moran has received in the African American community, including Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Kenny Alexander.



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Brian Moran received the overwhelming majority of votes at the Springfield District Democratic Committee’s straw poll at its annual Smoke and Roast. With 57 votes, Moran won more votes than his two opponents, combined. This is the third grassroots straw poll in Fairfax County Moran has won. He was the overwhelming winner of the Mount Vernon Democratic straw poll in February and the Lee District straw poll in early April.

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