Local Government Day 2023: Prince William Supervisors Visit Richmond to Discuss Legislative Priorities
Several of my Board of County Supervisors colleagues and I recently took to Richmond to participate in the Virginia Association of Counties annual Local Government Day. It was a productive day of collaboration with our counterparts from towns, cities, and counties across the Commonwealth, and of advocating directly to our state delegates and senators on behalf of our constituents.
I took the opportunity to have deeper discussions about items in the 2023 Prince William County Legislative Agenda (a series of priorities that the Board sends to state legislators each year), expressing how these issues impact the people of Prince William. Some of the measures for which I voiced support included requesting the state to:
- Expand K-12 funding
- Appropriate funds for the PWC Crisis Receiving Center
- Streamline supplemental compensation for the County public defender
- Address housing affordability
- Address labor shortages through support of apprenticeships in skilled trades
I closed the day by giving remarks at a Legislative Dinner co-hosted by Prince William County Government and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. I highlighted the collaboration between the County and local businesses that helped our community weather the worst of the pandemic, the County’s ongoing strong financial footing, and the vision that the newly-adopted 2040 Comprehensive Plan sets for us over the next 20 years.
A big thank you to our internal Legislative team who works year-round to gain state support for County initiatives, the state legislators and their staff who met with us, and to the business leaders who broke bread with us. It is my hope that the dialogues began on Local Government Day will serve as a springboard for state policies that further the quality of life for all in Prince William.