On Sunday, the Virginian-Pilot published an op-ed by Brian that lays out a proven, common sense solution to our transportation crisis and one that doesn’t pile on costs at the gas pump.

Rather than increasing the gas tax, Brian’s op-ed proposes a 1-penny increase in the sales tax, much of which will come from the tourists and commerce that flows through Virginia.

Brian’s plan invests $1 billion in our statewide transportation infrastructure, with specific funds dedicated to Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads

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Brian spoke to the 7th District Democratic Convention this past Saturday at Short Pump Middle School in Richmond. Brian was there to fire up Democrats for the 2008 election and rally support behind Anita Hartke for Congress and Mark Warner for US Senate.

Over 200 7th District Democrats gathered at the event and the air was electric. Brian also spoke to the 3rd district convention in Newport News. You can listen to Brian’s speech to 7th District Democrats below:

Yesterday, the General Assembly approved the Higher Education Bond initiative that provides $1.5 billion in new capital construction to Virginia’s colleges and universities. As Brian Moran said:

“This funding will be a great step in our efforts to compete in the 21st century global economy,” said Delegate Moran. “Last spring I traveled to India on the Governor’s Trade Mission and toured the Indian Institute of Technology. India and China produce as many engineers each year as we will produce this decade. If we want to compete and win, we have to invest in higher education so we have the capability to do groundbreaking research in the life sciences and nanotechnology and biotechnology.

We have thousands of new graduates that want to go to Virginia’s public colleges and today’s effort will help make sure we have room for them.”

As the Washington Post reported:

Most of the money will be spent on projects for community colleges and universities, including George Mason University in Fairfax County and the Northern Virginia Community College system. An additional $1 billion will be borrowed to spend on planning for another 25 projects.

Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), chairman of the House Democratic caucus, said: "We've authorized the largest investment in construction at our colleges and universities in Virginia's history. This will help jump-start our construction industry while building capacity for our future."

The Washington Examiner also reported on the story.

Last week some members of our staff traveled down to Wakefield to help out Mark Warner's Campaign in the infamous Shad Planking "sign war" and also have a booth for Delegate Moran. For most of the staff, it was their first Shad Planking experience, something they will never forget.

We arrived Tuesday afternoon and helped put up some signs along Main Street and 460. We then all took shifts for the evening, making sure no one was out there tearing down Mark Warner signs. Then after a great breakfast at the Virginia Diner, we put up more signs along 460 and then proceeded to the event to set up our booth and help the Warner Campaign set up theirs.

Our good friend, Hahn Deniston, brought a popcorn maker with her, so that we could hand out some popcorn with the sodas, water and Brian Moran cups we also were handing out. And in sticking with the spirit of this is Mark Warner¹s year, our staff was decked out in "Mark Warner is Good" t-shirts.

In the afternoon, Delegate Moran came out to Shad Planking. He spent a lot of time working his way around the crowd, had some shad, and ran into Mark Warner. This was a fun time and something we are all looking forward to next year! You can also check out more photos of our time at Shad Planking by going to our Flickr account.

Dominic Gabello
Political Director
Virginians for Brian Moran

Last Saturday was Brian’s 8th Annual pancake breakfast and it was a bigger success then ever before. Because of demand, we had to move out of the local middle school and into TC Williams – the big new high school in Alexandria. (Note: TC Williams is a LEED Certified Green Building. Way to go!). The event was sold out – nearly 400 people came. Brian welcomed the crowd and Jim Moran gave keynote remarks about the change in direction our country needs.

We had the Teddy the Clown and a magician. The kids had a great time. We were lucky to have most of the Alexandria City Council, our local Democratic chairs and leadership, and even some good friends from Richmond and as far away as Russell County.

Lowell Feld of Raising Kaine had this writeup:

Now, back to Brian Moran's pancake breakfast at T.C. Williams. Attendance was around 350, including a LOT of elected officials: Rep. Jim Moran, Sen. Patsy Ticer, Del. Bob Brink, Del. Kris Amundsen, Del. Margi Vanderhye, Del. Jennifer McClellan, Del. Mark Sickles, Del. Adam Ebbin, Del. Al Eisenberg, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, Alexandria Vice Mayor "Del" Pepper, and many others. I also saw Fairfax County Democratic Committee chair Scott Surovell, Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Susan Kellom, and former FCDC chair Ginny Peters. Jon Bowerbank, who is planning to run for lieutenant governor in 2009, was there, along with advisors Brian Patton and Joe Puckett. Mame Reilly, Mark Warner's former political director and now director of Brian Moran's Leadership for Virginia's Future PAC, was there as well. By the way, Brian Moran is not yet a formal candidate for governor in 2009, but everyone knows he's running, so that pretty much goes without saying. Also, just for the record, I remain neutral in this race at the present time.

In his remarks, Brian Moran talked about the importance of family for him, particularly given that he is the youngest of seven children. Brian said that he learned from his older brother Jim the importance of public service, of not "sitting on the sidelines," of getting in the game and making a positive difference. Not surprisingly for an event at T.C. Williams High School, Brian talked about investing in Virginia's colleges and universities and about the importance of education in general. Brian concluded by saying that he's up for a challenge, isn't going to just leave it to someone else, and that "we can do great things together."

Today on this first anniversary of the tragedy at Virginia Tech we grieve. We do so together for family members, for neighbors, for members of our community and our Commonwealth. The tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the lives cut short. But it also can be an important memory of the overwhelming power of the "Hokie Spirit" that brought together the campus, this Commonwealth and our nation in the wake the tragedy.

We've made tremendous and significant steps forward on the policy issues that came to light from this terrible tragedy. But the focus today is on our communities and our families. Today we grieve with our friends in the Virginia Tech community and share our heartfelt sympathies with the families of those who lost loved ones on that tragic day.

I hope you will join Governor Kaine in a statewide moment of silence at noon today.

Brian's work on behalf of military familys was recognized by Our Military Kids on Monday. He received the award for his support of their program, which provides grants to children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and military Reserve personnel. When the program began, Brian helped the organization secure initial support from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“I thank the leadership of Our Military Kids for this recognition,” Delegate Moran said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with them to provide grants that help the families of those service men and women fighting overseas. These kids and families deserve our support as a tribute to their parents’ service to a grateful nation.”

Read more here.

The story got lots of coverage around the Virginia blogosphere. Here's what Bryan Scrafford had to say:

We are constantly talking about the number of soldiers who are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I think we often forget that it is not just those individuals who are affected by their deployments. Each and every soldier has friends and family back home who’s life are affected by their loved one being overseas risking their lives. As Eileen pointed out yesterday, Brian Moran seems to really grasp that concept.

More coverage at The Alexandria Times, VB Dems and Raising Kaine.

Brian was in Staunton Sunday night talking to Democrats and getting people excited about upcoming elections.

Moran’s remarks focused on supporting Democratic candidates, a cause he said has been important to him in his role as caucus chairman. Soon, however, he, too, is expected to announce a candidacy. In January, Moran formed an exploratory committee to consider a possible bid for governor.

“Elections elect people who possess our principles and possess our values, and who will put them to work in the legislation,” Moran said to the crowd, stressing the need to elect Democrats.

Later, Moran said Democrats must reach out to Augusta County residents on issues that that they care about, such as health care and education.

“It’s important for us to promote issues that resonate in an area like Staunton and Augusta,” he said.

Brian also took the opportunity to note the great progress Virginia has made under Democratic Governors, and the importance of providing economic opportunity to all Virginians.

Moran, a Northern Virginia delegate, is expected to announce his candidacy for governor later this spring.

He said it is important for Democrats to continue to lead on the most important issues, such as education and transportation.

Moran told area Democrats that he is proud of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s battle to increase pre-K funding across Virginia.

“Science tells us the brain develops between age 0 to 5. We are making sure brains are stimulated the proper way,” he said. “That’s why he [Kaine] picked pre-K.”

Moran said a higher-education bond package is also crucial for Virginia’s future. The final numbers on that package will be agreed on soon by legislators.

“We must invest in our colleges and universities,” he said. “We are competing with India and China. This is a global environment. We must provide research, technology and science.”

While Brian is concentrating on the transportation session right now, some are starting to look ahead to what comes after the session. The News Virginian has a great profile of Brian in today's issue, looking at the broad experience that has made him such an effective leader in the Assembly.

One of seven children, including brother Jim, a U.S. congressman, Moran worked numerous odd jobs while earning degrees from Framingham State College in Massachusetts and Catholic University Law School in Washington, D.C.

He bagged groceries, worked construction, tended bar and was a gas station attendant.

“It’s the American dream. You can apply yourself and work hard and be all you want to be,” he said.

Elected to the state House in 1995 after being urged to run by friend Mark Warner, the former governor and U.S. Senate candidate, Moran was named Democratic Caucus chairman in 2001.

Since Moran took over that post, Democrats have picked up 12 state House seats.

And Brian's leadership has extended beyond political success as he's been a leader in the Assembly on a number of issues that are key to Virginians.

Moran said he is pleased to see such major companies as Northrop Grumman and CGI come to Southwest Virginia.

He also spoke about the federal government’s presence in Northern Virginia and the port of Hampton Roads.

“The port is an enormous natural asset which generates more and more export-import business,” he said.

Moran said education is still Virginia’s top issue.

“Education resonates in every area of the commonwealth,” he said. “Everyone wants their kids to receive the best education. Only with a first-class education will they be able to compete for jobs.”

He said Virginia’s transportation woes are keenly felt in traffic-clogged Northern Virginia.

“This hurts job creation,” he said.

Moran believes Virginia can be an attractive state to manufacturers because of its employment base.

“We have excellent product, hard-working Virginians,” he said. “China is producing products but they are unsafe. They don’t meet our standards of quality.”

UPDATE: Vivian Paige has more...

Brian started off the week in green, as he joined the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Fredricksburg Sunday.

Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, his wife and two children also put in an appearance in a bright green Mustang. He’d met beforehand with about 50 people at a reception in the Princess Anne Building that was sponsored by the Fredericksburg Democratic Committee and the University of Mary Washington Young Democrats.

...

Moran told the group that he could talk about the current transportation stalemate in the General Assembly, but preferred instead to talk about how his Irish heritage instilled in him an intolerance for injustice.

“It’s incumbent upon us to remain vigilant,” he said, “and to fight for those who do not have the same opportunities.”

Early Monday morning, Brian joined local area law enforcement to announce a safe ride program to help prevent drunk driving in Virginia. You can watch him speak at the event in the video below.

Great news for Virginians yesterday as the state agreed to invest in protecting the safety of Virginia's children. The budget negotiators agreed to "Alicia's Law" to give law enforcement the resources they need to track down and prosecute online sex offenders that prey on kids by expanding the regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. Following a long and emotional fight, Brian was able to secure funding for the law. These funds will allow them to double the number of investigations and arrests.

The Washington Times reports today that,

The package grants $2.6 million for regional jail expansions in western Virginia and Rappahannock and $1.5 million for Alicia"s law, a program that targets adults who solicit children for sex over the Internet. The law is named for Alicia Kozkeiwicz, who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by an online predator when she was 13.

The negotiators said they were flooded with calls from supporters across the country, including Alicia"s mother.

"Every time you bring a computer into your home, you provide online predators with access to your children," said Delegate Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, the leader of the House Democratic Caucus.

On Monday, he made an emotional plea for the funding. "Law-enforcement officers have not had the resources to combat these crimes, but today we have taken a major first step by expanding two regional task forces to investigate and arrest these offenders," Mr. Moran said.

The Examiner has more:

Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, successfully fought for $1.5 million to crack down on Internet sex predators as part of his proposed “Alicia’s law.”

“Today is a tremendous step in our efforts to protect Virginia’s children from the most violent, vile online predators,” said Moran, a gubernatorial candidate.

You can read Brian's press release on the victory, by clicking here.

UPDATE:Protect recognizes Brian's leadership in securing the passage and funding for Alicia's Law

“First among the backers of the legislation was Delegate Brian Moran, who stood by the side of 19-year old Alicia Kozakiewicz throughout what became one of PROTECT's toughest state battles in recent years. From the trenches, it was clear Moran is the right stuff when it comes to fighting sexual predators.”

In ongoing efforts to secure the funding to protect Virginia’s children from sexual predators, Brian Moran sent a letter to conferees yesterday calling on them to fully fund “Alicia’s Law.”

As a result, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported late last night that the funding for Alicia’s Law may be in the final version of the budget agreed to by the House and Senate.

The online predator measure, known as Alicia’s Law, is named for a Pennsylvania teen who was brought to Virginia by an online predator, raped and tortured. Its sponsor is Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

The House insisted on $1.25 million, which the Senate had not included in its latest offer. Tuesday night, however, the Senate submitted a new proposal that included the funding to crack down on Internet sexual predators.

House negotiators plan to respond to that proposal Wednesday morning.

Raising Kaine has more.

Click here to read the full text of Brian’s letter to the House and Senate conferees.

As Brian continues to explore a run for Governor, he's meeting with Democrats across the state. Earlier this month, Brian met with Hanover Democrats at a pancake breakfast at Ashcreek Recreation Center. Speaking to 70 local Democrats, Brian talked about his optimism for continued Democratic victories at the polls and in the Assembly.

Moran, who has seen the number of Democratic delegates rise from 33 to 45 after the last election during his tenure as caucus chairman, blasted the GOP for their “abdication of responsibility.”

Moran called the recent Virginia Democratic presidential primary, in which almost a million votes were cast, historic. “We had two excellent candidates, and one will be the next president,” said Moran to cheers.

Moran commented on the General Assembly’s work, where House and Senate conferees will seek to reach a compromise between their two budgets this week.

He blasted the new methodology for funding teacher raises proposed by the Republican majority House, saying it shifted more of the burden to localities, calling it an “unfunded mandate.”

Moran also touted his role in the passage of “Alicia’s Law,” named after Alicia Kozakiewicz – a 13-year-old girl who was abducted by an Internet predator, held hostage and tortured. The House included more than $1 million in its budget for the VA Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces (ICAC) to crack down on sexual predators, with support from both parties, Moran noted.

Brian continues to concentrate on the current Assembly session, and is excited by the enthusiasm of Democrats that he meets across Virginia.

Numerous Virginia blogs joined Brian's call for sufficient funding for Alicia's Law this week.

750 Volts:

Earlier in the General Assembly session, Delegate Brian Moran (D-Alexandria) sponsored a bill, Alicia’s Law (HB1189), that would have appropriated $32 million towards catching the worst child pornography offenders. Alicia’s Law, named for Alicia Kozkeiwicz, who at the age of 13 was abducted from her home and transported to Herndon, VA, where she was found four days later in the basement of a man who had repeatedly assaulted her while video was streamed online. Virginia already has stiff penalties for child pornography distributors and creators–but penalties are not enough. It takes funding to catch these predators.

Law enforcement knows where they are–they simply don’t have the bodies on the ground to catch them. Over 20,000 computers are estimated to contain child pornography in Virginia, and law enforcement can pinpoint their locations.

HB1189 did not make it out of House Appropriations in time for crossover. However, a budget amendment providing funding for anti-child pornography efforts was attached to the House budget in committee with the help of Delegate Phil Hamilton (R) and a bipartisan coalition. Amendment 397 #2h to the House Budget Bill provides over the next two years $1.25 million to the Southern and Northern Virginia divisions of Internet Crimes against Children, the leading organization fighting this crime. While a far cry from Moran’s original proposals, each dime counts. Law enforcement already knows the location of over 20,000 hard drives containing the worst child pornography, yet lacks the forensic lab space or funding to adequately build their case.

VB Dems, Raising Kaine, Fred2Blue and Not Larry Sabato also cover the story.