Blue Commonwealth: Exposing Rust's Support for Health Insurance and Blogging While Stupid

Blogger DanielK over at Blue Commonwealth showed a stunning lack of understanding regarding the committee and lawmaking process in Richmond last week in a post attacking Delegate Tom Rust (R-86).

DanielK attempts to rehash and reuse the argument that Tom Rust doesn't care about children dealing with autism, even though that politically-expedient dishonesty has already been debunked here.

DanielK blasts Rust for doing nothing to support this particular piece of autism-related legislation in committee--but Rust is not a member of the subcommittee the bill was assigned to (Subcommittee #1 of the Commerce and Labor Committee), which is shown below in the legislative record.

Rust is actually a member of Subcommittee #2 of Commerce and Labor, not of Subcommittee #1, as his delegate profile states and this screenshot demonstrates:

Rust did appear before Subcommittee #1 that day, but it was because his own, different bill--the point of which was to expand insurance coverage in Virginia--was next on the agenda:

So, DanielK, please: next time you attempt to write about things which you obviously need to do a little bit of research on before spouting partisan attacks, remember this incident, when you unknowingly provided us with a chance to highlight Tom Rust's support for expanding insurance, not limiting it, which you claim he wants to do.

Stephens Miller ignores reality, attacks Rust's support for autism treatment

Delegate Tom Rust (R-86) was an advocate for a bill that would have required insurers to pay for therapy for children diagnosed with autism-spectrum disorders. So why is Stephens Miller distorting Tom Rust's record?

Does Tom hate puppies too? And lollipops? Maybe rainbows?

Miller's attack would be a lot more funny if it wasn't so desperately false. Consider the facts:

Rust attended a rally organized by the Autism Help Network in July to push for the legislation.

In February, the Washington Post's Loudoun Extra noted that "Many politicians representing Loudoun have been vocal in support of this legislation, including delegates Bob Marshall (R-13), David Poisson (D-32), Chuck Caputo (D-67), Tom Rust (R-86) and Joe T. May (R-33) and state senators Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27) and Mark Herring (D-33)."

This month, the Virginia Autism Project just named Delegate Rust as a friend of their past and future efforts.

The kicker? Miller's name was not included on the list.

More on the Scandal at the Loudon Planning Commission

The FOIAs concerning the scandal at the Loudon Planning Commission have been responded to, and now people are sifting through the e-mails and other documents trying to figure out what is going on. Over at Crystal Clear Conservative, their is a report on some of the findings. Remember, Sandra Chaloux, the commissioner at the heart of this, is the protege of Stevens Miller, the Democrat running against Tom Rust for delegate. Do Democrats really believe in getting paid for doing nothing, and keeping others from accomplishing things?

The Loudoun Planning Commission Manifesto Continues On…

Last week, I mentioned about the Planning Commission manifesto that is taking place in Loudoun County. Well, I have decided to follow up with that post, and yes, there is more to this than what meets the eye.

Today, I would like to focus on an e-mail that was sent on June 25, 2009 from Sandra Chaloux, Dulles Planning Commissioner to the Catoctin Planning Commissioner that indicates her absence from a board meeting.

From:
To:
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:59:38 -0400
Subject: TONIGHT’S PC WORK SESSION
Erin,

I don’t think I am going to go to the PC CTP work session tonight. No quorum tonight probably means no CTP PC public hearing in July.

Sandra

Now, why would Ms. Chaloux decide to abruptly announce her absence? Could it be that she was angered by the previous Planning Commission meeting, where a previous motion that she had made to delay the July hearing was denied? Whatever the reasoning behind Ms. Chaloux’s abrupt absence, there is indication that this particular hearing had no quorum due to an e-mail that was sent to several Planning Commission members urging them not to show up for a hearing that was to begin adopting a draft recommendation. According to Leesburg Today, the Planning Commission was scheduled to meet three times a week, along with Saturday mornings to review the Countywide Transportation Plan. The Board of Supervisors set a deadline to have the Planning Commission’s revised plan by September.

In the meantime, I guess we will see what happens on July 21, when the Board of Supervisors takes up the scheduling issues. However, I am still asking, is it ethical or right for a county employee to be absent from their appointed duties and still receive compensation?

Scandal on the Loudoun Planning Commission

It appears that one of the members of the Loudoun Planning Commission is trying to encouraging members to skip meetings inorder to delay votes on various proposals. What makes it more interesting is that the member in question, Sandra Chaloux, is considered the heir apparent to Stevens Miller the person running for delegate against Tom Rust. No matter what side of the pro-growth/anti-growth debate you are on encouraging people to skip meetings is inexcusable. These commissioners are paid county money to sit on the commission. For them to skip meetings and encourage others to skip meetings for political gain displays contempt for the people and the business the task they have at hand.

For more details, Crystal Clear Conservative and Hooda Thunk are doing an excellent job covering this story.

Wolf/Rust/York/Delgaudio Town Hall Meeting on Gang Violence

Delegate Tom Rust

Herndon, VA

For Immediate Release | Tuesday, July 30, 2009

Contact: Carol Sinclair – (703) 437-9400

Sterling Town Hall Meeting on Gang Violence

(Sterling, VA) -- Delegate Tom Rust announced a Town Hall Meeting on Gang Violence to be held in Sterling. Rust will be joined by Congressman Frank Wolf, Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York and Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio in discussing state, local and federal efforts to combat gang violence.

"After speaking with many residents of Sterling, it is clear that people would like more information about what steps have been taken to stop criminal gangs," said Rust. "I hope this will serve as an opportunity for the public to find out more about the steps their government is taking to combat gang violence, and to give their representatives feedback. I am especially appreciative of Congressman Wolf, Chairman York and Supervisor Delgaudio for participating in this meeting."

WHO: Congressman Frank Wolf, Delegate Tom Rust, Chairman Scott York, Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio

WHAT: Sterling Town Hall Meeting on Gang Violence

WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, 2009
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Park View High School Auditorium
400 W Laurel Avenue
Sterling, VA 20164

WHY: Community Meeting

For more information, please call (703) 437-9400 or email trust@tomrust.org.

# # #