Across the Board

Our biweekly Across the Board newsletter keeps you informed of Board of Trade activities. Members and non-members can subscribe.

February 1 , 2006

Meet the Governor! Tim Kaine to Speak at Joint Event on Feb. 15. The Board of Trade and the Northern Virginia Technology Council will host VA Governor Tim Kaine at an exclusive joint event at the Hilton McLean, 8 to 9am. This will be one of his first appearances as Governor. Be among the first to learn about Governor Kaine's priorities, including his major transportation initiatives. Register today

Michele Hagans is 2006 Leader of the Years.  Entrepreneur and community leader Michele V. Hagans, President, Fort Lincoln New Town Corporation and Fort Lincoln Realty Company, was named the Board of Trade’s Leader of the Years, an annual award recognizing extraordinary service to the region’s business and community interests. Hagans will be honored at a black-tie dinner on April 20 at the Capital Hilton.  Read more Register for Dinner

Coming Up to Bat at DC Council: Baseball, School Modernization, Living Wage. Next Tuesday, the DC Council is expected to vote on the baseball stadium lease, which has the potential to generate 19,000+ new jobs and $500 million in new city revenue. In addition, the Council will vote on Councilmember Jack Evans’ proposal to finance the modernization of DC public schools without raising additional taxes. And if that’s not enough, the long-discussed “Way to Work” legislation, which includes a living wage hike to $11.75 per hour for DC employees, is also on the agenda. Questions?  Contact your Councilmember with your views

Adrian Fenty Meets, Mingles with Board of Trade Members. It was standing room only last week as 70+ members and reporters gathered at the Board of Trade for lunch and Q&A with DC Councilmember and mayoral candidate Adrian Fenty (Ward 4). Hosted by the DC Public Affairs Group, the event offered an inside view of Fenty's approach to issues before the DC Council and his vision for DC as mayor.

Transportation Bills Generating Hot Debate Among Virginia Legislators. Numerous competing transportation funding proposals have been introduced recently in the VA General Assembly regarding how to raise $1 billion per year for transportation needs. The new money would come from various sources, including eliminating the sales tax exemption on cars and gas, increasing vehicle registration fees, adding tolls on new roads, etc.  And there’s more…bills have also been introduced to secure dedicated funding for Metro by allowing Northern Virginia jurisdictions which currently fund Metro to increase their sales tax by one-quarter of one percent. These funds will serve as Virginia’s local match to federal funding being pursued by U.S. Congressman Tom Davis. Next steps: The Board of Trade will sort through all proposals to ensure members’ interests are well represented. Questions?

Board Urges MD Governor Ehrlich to Support Dedicated Funds for Metro. In a letter sent last week to Governor Robert Ehrlich, the Board of Trade urged the Governor to identify dedicated funding for Metro from Maryland, noting that efforts are underway in DC and Virginia to dedicate funds to the region’s transit system.  Read letter

Upcoming Events

Feb. 6 - MD Legislative Update, featuring breakfast with three influential state leaders

Feb. 8 - @Six Networking Reception at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, includes opportunity to view Andy Warhol exhibit

Feb. 15 - Breakfast with keynote speaker VA Governor Tim Kaine, a special Board of Trade/NVTC joint event at Hilton McLean

Feb. 16 – “Finding and Keeping Marketing and Communications Talent,” a brown-bag lunch program of the Marketing/Communications Network

Feb. 21 – “Contracting Connections” seminar with Booz Allen Hamilton at Tysons

March 2 - Mid-Winter Dinner, the annual “classy networking, no speeches” evening

April 20 - Leader of the Years Dinner, honoring Michele Hagans, at Capital Hilton

In the News