Governor Bob McDonnell Senate Passage of Opportunity to Learn Education Reform Agenda VIDEO

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Senate Passage of "Opportunity to Learn" Education Reform Agenda – House Already Passed Governor's Three Measures to Expand High Quality Public Charter Schools and College Laboratory Schools; Improve and Promote Virtual Learning – March 09, 2010. Stacey Johnson Press Secretary (804) 786-2211

vagovernor, February 10, 2010 Governor Bob McDonnell held an afternoon press conference to unveil The Opportunity to Learn, his education reform legislative package for this current session of the General Assembly designed to offer options and innovation for all Virginia schoolchildren, but especially those who are at-risk or in underperforming school systems. The Opportunity to Learn package is highlighted by measures to facilitate the expansion of high quality charter schools in the Commonwealth, and further utilize and incorporate virtual and college laboratory schools into Virginias public school system. McDonnell was joined at the event by a bipartisan group of Virginia leaders, all united in support of greater educational options for Virginia students. Among those in attendance were former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder; Virginia Secretary of Education Gerard Robinson; Delegate Rosalyn Dance (D-Petersburg); and Senator Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg). Also at todays event were representatives from the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as parents and prospective students at the soon-to-open Patrick Henry Charter School in Richmond. Hampton University President Bill Harvey, a supporter of the legislation, was unable to attend as scheduled due to winter weath

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement following passage this afternoon by the full Senate of his "Opportunity to Learn" education reform agenda. All three of McDonnell's measures to expand high quality public charter schools and college laboratory schools, and improve and promote virtual learning, received broad bipartisan backing. "I applaud the Republicans and Democrats who came together today to help Virginia school children, especially those who are at-risk and disadvantaged, gain more educational opportunities. In the modern economy, education is the coin of the realm. Without a world-class education our young people will not be able to compete with their peers in the global marketplace. States that move proactively to bring innovation, competition and reform to their public schools are not only serving their young people well, they are improving their prospects for future economic prosperity and job-creation. The effort to expand educational opportunity is one that reaches across party lines. The leading champion of this movement is President Barack Obama. Here in Virginia, the coalition supporting more educational opportunities for all our young people includes state Senators like Republican Steve Newman and Democrat Edd Houck, state delegates like Republicans Scott Lingamfelter, Dickie Bell and Chris Peace and Democrats Rosalyn Dance and Jennifer McClellan, as well as the VEA, the Virginia School Boards Association, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Today's passage of our 'Opportunity to Learn' education reform agenda means we will not tolerate a public school student in Virginia having her educational opportunities limited by her zip code.

Steps like we have taken today will bring hope to our young people, new resources to our teachers, and help for our parents. These new reforms will also help greatly in submitting a vastly improved 'Race to the Top' grant application for billions of dollars in federal funds available for states that lead the way in education innovation."

Senator Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg) added, "This positive legislation to reform our public education system and give all Virginia's young people the tools they need to learn and succeed is the result of real bipartisan cooperation in Richmond. This is a great day for Virginia's public schools, our public school teachers and students and parents in every community." # # #

Office of the Governor Robert F. McDonnell

Tom Ganley Advances to ‘On the Radar’

Ohio Candidate Takes First Step Toward ‘Young Gun’ Status. Washington- The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has officially announced Tom Ganley (OH-13) as an ‘On the Radar’ candidate, an important first step in its Young Guns program. Founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps.

Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns program is a member-driven organization dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide. Ganley is running in Ohio’s Thirteenth Congressional District against Democrat incumbent Betty Sutton.

The Young Guns program is designed to assist Republican candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives achieve goals and benchmarks throughout the election cycle focused on the fundamentals of a winning campaign. By achieving ‘On the Radar’ status, Ganley has already proven his ability to build a successful campaign structure and achieve important fundraising goals.

“The NRCC is committed to working with Tom Ganley as he continues to meet the rigorous goals of the Young Guns program,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. “Tom is an accomplished job creator and an independent leader who will fight to put Northeast Ohioans back to work. I am confident that Republicans will be successful in our effort to defeat Betty Sutton, who is an out-of-touch politician solely focused on her party’s big-government, big-spending agenda that has failed to turn our economy around.”

As a lifelong resident of Ohio and a proven entrepreneur, Ganley knows what it takes to create jobs and build a successful business from the ground up. Ganley, who is now the President of the Ganley Automotive Group, began his career with one dealership in Euclid and now runs the largest automotive group in Ohio. His local business includes 32 dealerships and more than 1,000 employees. Ganley has served as a leader of his state and region and has been actively involved in various charitable organizations.

Having achieved certain benchmarks to place him on the road to victory, Tom Ganley now faces a new set of rigorous goals that will help him advance to the next level of the Young Guns program and help him build a competitive, effective and winning campaign. ###

National Republican Congressional Committee, 320 First Street SE · Washington, DC 20003 (202) 479-7000

Tom Ganley for Congress, 137 E. State Street, Columbus, OH 43215, 614-722-1000