The following legislative priorities were sent to each member of the Prince William delegation to the Virginia General Assembly.
The Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce challenges the Prince William delegation to the Virginia General Assembly to look to the future, planning and taking actions that will lead to the long-term economic strength and stability of the Commonwealth. We furthermore challenge the delegation to work together and with fellow Northern Virginia legislators to take a leadership role in the General Assembly to ensure continued economic growth in our region.
Virginia’s transportation system is in crisis. Funding transportation is a state responsibility and the General Assembly must work to secure significant, new, dedicated, reliable transportation revenues to erase the Commonwealth’s crippling transportation deficit, which threatens Virginia’s long-term prosperity.
The insert card (PDF) provides more information on the Chambers’ position and funding priorities.
Diverse options are necessary to ensure Virginia’s future energy needs are met affordably. The Chambers support:
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Reliance on a broad range of reliable energy sources
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Incentives to encourage the research, development and implementation of new sources
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Incentives to promote conservation, new technologies and the increased efficiency of existing technologies.
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Streamlining regulations that slow the use of new energy sources and technologies.
The Chambers also support the consideration of offshore drilling, both to increase energy supplies and provide possible new state revenue sources.
Northern Virginia higher education institutions and high-quality Prince William public schools educate tomorrow’s workforce and attract quality businesses. Funding for George Mason University’s Prince William campus and Northern Virginia Community College’s two Prince William campuses along with full funding of K-12 state mandates is essential to maintain the region’s competitive economy.
The insert card (PDF) provides more information on the Chambers’ position and funding priorities.
Businesses struggle with rising health insurance premiums, and some smaller firms have been forced to stop providing this benefit to employees. To lower costs and increase small business options, the Chambers support:
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Government initiatives to allow and promote private industry solutions.
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A review of state regulations to ensure they do not unnecessarily add to health insurance costs or prohibit cost-saving measures.
The Chambers believe Tax Measures must allow businesses to build capital and encourage its investment and support reforming – or eliminating – the BPOL tax.
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The Chambers support state policy that require Uniform Real Estate Tax Rates for residential and commercial properties, without additional exemptions or deferrals and call for the elimination of the remaining commercial real estate tax differential of HB 3202.
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The Chambers oppose any new unfunded mandates on localities by the Commonwealth.
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The Chambers support incentives for Mixed-Used Development while opposing Impact Fees, Adequate Public Facility Ordinances or Levels of Service legislation.
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The Chambers oppose any changes to the Dillon Rule.
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The Chambers oppose changes to the Commonwealth’s Right to Work statutes.
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The Chambers oppose any expansion of the Commonwealth’s Unemployment system.
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The Chambers support a Constitutional amendment to allow a Governor to serve two consecutive terms.
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The Chambers believe Regulations must not place an undue responsibility on business and must be practical in their implementation.
