June 13, 2012 Executive Bulletin
Leadership Forum, INSIDERS poll results, and Election newsVAFREE LEADERSHIP FORUM IS “THE BEST EVER”
Warner & Warner Highlight All-Star Cast at Annual Event in NOVA
More than 500 of Virginia’s top business, political and education leaders were on hand to hear from Senators Warner and Warner – Mark and John – at the VAFREE Leadership Forum in Northern Virginia this week. The extensive list of notables included U.S. Senators, Governors, Congressmen, University Presidents, General Assembly members, top executives of business and industry, and several statewide candidates eyeing office this year and next.
“The best event ever” was a common refrain among those departing after an inspiring message delivered by four Virginia statesmen. Their message centered on the need for bi-partisan cooperation in government.
CLICK HERE for The Washington Post’s report on the event. 
CLICK HERE for The Roanoke Times profile on Mark Warner and coverage of the event.
Video clips of remarks are now online at the following links:
Senator John Chichester
Congressman Tom Davis
Doug Koelemay introduction of Warner & Warner
U.S. Sen. John W. Warner
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner
A slide show of this event to follow soon!
Four Governors at VAFREE Forum: Baliles, Warner, Kaine, Gilmore
VAFREE INSIDERS SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION MONEY FIX
Gas Tax Should Be Indexed and Increased Business Leaders Say
Fully 68% of business leaders surveyed in the VAFREE INSIDERS Poll say Virginia should index the gas tax to the rate of inflation and 62% favor an increase in the gas tax of at least 10 cents per gallon to fix Virginia’s transportation funding crisis. Increasing the portion of the state sales tax dedicated to transportation garnered the support of 59% of business leaders surveyed in the recent INSIDERS Poll.
The Virginia INSIDERS Poll, sponsored by Virginia FREE and conducted by the Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR), was designed to quickly assess and report the opinions of a broad cross-section of influential Virginians on a wide range of timely issues affecting the Commonwealth. INSIDERS are a diverse group of influential Virginians engaged in public policy, politics, business, government, education and community. They are Republicans, Democrats and Independents, and individuals with long experience in and around business, politics and government. Current elected officials and active media are not included.
CLICK HERE for complete results of the latest INSIDERS Poll.
CLICK HERE for Virginia Businiess Magazine coverage of the results.
URBAN CRESCENT LEADERS CALL FOR HIGHWAY FUNDING
Transportation Money is Stark Issue from NOVA to Hampton Roads
Local government leaders from 46 populous counties in Virginia’s urban crescent convened a summit near Richmond last week to organize support for transportation funding solutions.
Virginia’s “golden crescent” is responsible for a large share of the state’s commerce, employment, and tax revenue. The region, which traces the Interstate 95 & 64 corridors from northern Virginia through central Virginia to Hampton Roads, claims nearly two-thirds of the state’s population and 80% of it’s economy.
Frustrated by inaction in Richmond, local leaders say they are uniting to pressure the General Assembly to offer meaningful solutions to a crisis in transportation funding. According to Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton, Virginia will have zero dollars for highway construction projects in less than five years.
CLICK HERE for more on the efforts of local officials.
GEORGE ALLEN WINS GOP NOMINATION FOR U.S. SENATE
Cantor, Forbes, Goodlatte and Moran Dispatch House Challengers
Governor George Allen crushed his three Republican opponents with over 65 percent 
of the vote in yesterday’s statewide primary, officially beginning his general election campaign against Governor Tim Kaine for retiring U.S. Senator Jim Webb’s seat. Congressman Randy Forbes (R-4) easily defeated challenger Bonnie Girard with 90 percent of the vote but faces Chesapeake City Councilwoman Ella Ward in the fall. After winning the Republican nomination yesterday, retired Army colonel Chris Perkins faces Northern Virginia Democratic Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11). Three other incumbents, including Eric Cantor (R-7), Bob Goodlatte (R-6), and Jim Moran (D-8) handily defeated their primary challengers.
Click HERE for more details.
IN OTHER CAMPAIGN NEWS…
Poll Shows Obama with lead in Virginia; Gender Gap Hurting Romney
President Obama has a five-point lead over Mitt Romney with 47 percent of the vote according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll. In addition, Obama has a 22-point lead with women and an 8-point lead with independents.
Click HERE for more information.
Poll Shows Cucinelli with Big Lead; Kaine/Allen a Dead Heat
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is favored 3-1 by Republicans surveyed in last week’s Quinnipiac University poll, giving him a 51-15 percent lead over Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling for next year’s governor’s race. The same poll has Governors George Allen and Tim Kaine neck-in-neck for Virginia’s open U.S. Senate seat this year.
Click HERE for more information.
GOP Nomination Method Likely to be changed to Convention
The Republican Party’s State Central Committee is expected on Friday to reconsider its previous decision to hold a primary for next year’s statewide races. While Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Governor Bob McDonnell favor sticking with a primary, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is prepared either way. Cuccinelli political director Noah Wall says, “Ken is prepared to run, and win, in whatever method of nomination the State Central Committee decides is best for the party.’’
Click HERE for more information.
Bolling Releases List of More Than 100 Grassroots Supporters
In anticipation of this weekend’s likely vote to change the method of nomination for the 2013 statewide races, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling released a who’s who of GOP grassroots leaders.
Click HERE for more information.
Cantor Expected To Endorse Bolling
U.S. House Majority Leader and Bolling ally Eric Cantor hopes to send a message to the GOP with a likely and early endorsement of Bolling for Governor.
Click HERE for more information.
VAFREE MEMBER NEWS
WILL PAYNE NAMED TO WILLIAM & MARY FUNDING BOARD
Will Payne of Virginia FREE will serve on the William & Mary Annual Giving Board of Directors. He is the fifth youngest of the 
25-member Board covering classes from 1971-2011. Last year he served as co-chair of his 10-year reunion gift committee and was subsequently awarded the Board of Directors Cup.
The Annual Giving Board of Directors is organized to assist and promote the College of William & Mary in Virginia through the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors to the College, with special emphasis on annual gifts. The Board plays an active role in developing volunteer networks, reaching out to donors and advises in the development of strategy and operational plans to drive success of annual giving.
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