Cuccinelli: Republican Who Has a Heart
May 8, 2003


To the Editor:
 

In her letter to the editor ["McConnell: A Republican with Heart," May 1, 2003], Cynthia Rabiej correctly points to the many contributions Elaine McConnell has made to improve the lives all citizens in Fairfax County. Ms. McConnell has certainly set a benchmark for "heart" that all legislators, Republican and Democrat, should strive towards in governing over a diverse agenda including feeding the hungry, educating our children, and providing the freedom to practice a chosen faith. The Arc of Northern Virginia has worked with Ms. McConnell for many years to see that services for individuals with mental retardation were a part of our county's array of services.

In that same way, The Arc has worked with state legislators to attempt to ensure that state funding for programs and services also was available to fill the service gaps. Last fall, as a part of our regular advocacy activities, a group of advocates paid a visit on a young new Republican senator with a reputation for being cost-conscious and conservative. At the end of a two-hour lunch meeting, during which he listened attentively to each family member and advocate present, Sen. Cuccinelli asked what we needed. He then went into the General Assembly session and stepped "off the beaten path" to ask for an unprecedented $14.5 million to be allocated to fund Mental Retardation (MR) Medicaid Waiver slots. The state level Arc of Virginia had set its agenda earlier in the fall and had asked for $3.5 million. (We ended up with more than The Arc had asked for but less than Sen. Cuccinelli had reached for.)

From our point of view, Sen. Cuccinelli demonstrated heart during his very first General Assembly session and we plan to work with him this year to see if he can help us find the resources to provide relief for more families in Virginia struggling with the challenges of raising a child with a complex disability.

The Arc's agenda will be to increase funding for MR Waiver slots and to build a larger circle of support for families and individuals in Virginia.

We will be seeking legislators with heart at the state level to help us achieve our goals and Sen. Cuccinelli will be at the top of our list.

Kathy May
Lead Advocate
The Arc of Northern Virginia
North Washington Street
Falls Church