Solar Paneling

I wanted to share that my wife, Michelle and I had solar paneling installed on our house in Falls Church Virginia this summer.  As you are aware, providing green jobs and a greener environment in the Commonwealth was a mainstay of my campaign for Governor of the Commonwealth last year.  I sincerely believe that every one of us can make a difference in helping combat global warming, no matter how small or large that individual effort might be.  Simple things make a difference, like walking to the store, riding a bike, using metro instead of using a car all the time to go where we need to.  I certainly would encourage those who can afford to do so to place solar paneling on their homes and businesses.  I would encourage people to look into different tax credits to defray some of the initial costs of putting solar paneling on a home or business.  I firmly believe that these tax incentives both at the state and federal level should be expanded so more and more individuals and businesses can put in solar paneling.  And I deeply believe that our leaders at both the state and national levels should set examples for the rest of us.  I call on President Obama to put as much solar paneling in his remaining term as possible on Federal Buildings.  And I call on the next Governor of the Commonwealth to place solar paneling on the Governor's mansion, regardless of who becomes the next Governor.

Crunch Time

Tomorrow I will begin my petition drive to get on the June ballot for the Democratic nomination for Governor.  In order for our campaign to succeed, we must obtain 10,000 valid signatures of qualified voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Under state law, we are required to get a minimum of 400 signatures from each Congressional District in the Commonwealth.

I feel passionately about the issues that I am running on, particularly with regard to the environment, creating jobs, a green economy for our Commonwealth, and the issue of reasonable gun control, both within the Commonwealth and across the nation.  I know that there are many Virginians who feel the same passion I feel about these issues.  I am the only real progressive Democrat seeking the nomination for Governor who will take on the establishment and push an activist agenda once I am elected.

I have not hidden the fact that I have a disability and am confined to a wheelchair.  My disability has never prevented me from succeeding at anything I wanted to do in life, including being a civil rights attorney for the past 19 years.  It is this experience of dealing with people's problems every day that I believe qualifies me to be your next Governor.  It is also the experience that I had growing up, overcoming my disability, and being a role model to others, that qualifies me to be your Governor.

I want to be your voice.  I need you to be my legs. I am asking each of you to sign my petition. I am asking each of you to give time to the petition drive, to circulate petitions on my behalf, and to help out with the campaign in any way you can. I am asking each of you to donate financially to my campaign.

Together, we can make Virginia a beacon for the nation once again, as Virginia has been throughout American history.

Together, we can make Virginia a leader in protecting our environment, creating jobs, and protecting our children.

Thank you so much.

Happy New Year!
Matt

Virginia Democratic Party Chooses Primary

Virginia Democratic Party Opts for a Primary to Select Nominee for Governor in 2013

Yesterday in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia voted, with some minor opposition, to hold a Primary in June of next year to select a nominee for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.

I am extremely happy that our party has chosen to hold a primary for these constitutional offices in the Commonwealth.  I believe that a primary is the most democratic way to choose our party slate for 2013, and I look forward to engaging in a vigorous debate with those who also will be running in the primary for the nomination for Governor of the Commonwealth.