Legislative Advocacy

ADVOCACY

Each year, our Legislative Affairs Committee surveys members concerning the top legislative issues affecting our business environment. These results are compiled into a legislative agenda, which is then approved by the Board of Directors. This year, the Chamber is pleased to continue working with the Access Point Public Affairs team as they advocate for these priorities during the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session.

PRIORITIES

Support Improvements to the Education System to Create a Well-Trained, Skilled Workforce

  • Build significant and meaningful partnerships between the business community, K-12 schools, and higher education to support improvements in the education system.

Build Talent Pathways for In Demand Jobs that Include Work Based Learning and Credentialing Opportunities

  • Promote talent pathways for Virginia’s current and future workforce that include educator-employer collaboration, curriculum alignment with workforce needs, and internships and other work-based learning experiences.

  • Support programs that increase employability, skills development, and educational attainment for adults, such as veterans and displaced workers.

  • Support the development of career and technical education pathways that integrate high school and post-secondary education and training to encourage work-based learning opportunities and lead to essential skills jobs in Virginia.

Improve Literacy Rates Among Virginia Students

  • Support initiatives and investments that address learning loss and improve literacy rates among Virginia students.

  • Invest in and increase access to quality early childhood education to set our children on a path to success.

Improve Access to Affordable Housing Options to Meet Workforce Needs

  • Expand and support initiatives and programs to promote the development and redevelopment of affordable, quality housing for all.

  • Streamline and improve permitting processes and address other land use issues and constraints that negatively impact the construction and housing industries.

Increase Funding and Access to Broadband

  • Increase financial support for public-private partnerships to facilitate broadband deployment in underserved and unserved areas.

  • Support efforts to prepare workers for the advancement of broadband investments and initiatives.

Maintain a Business-Friendly Climate and Invest in and Continue to Develop a Safe, Reliable, Efficient, Multimodal Transportation Network

  • Protect Virginia’s Right-To-Work law.

  • Protect against measures that would increase the burden of excessive litigation and diminish Virginia’s competitive position.

  • Support continued identification and maintenance of dedicated and sustainable funding for critical transportation priorities that recognize the ongoing pressures of state and federal budgets.

  • Ensure transportation funding levels and funding allocation mechanisms are fair and equitable.

  • Support policies that ensure Virginia’s transportation network increases mobility and access to employment, education, and commercial opportunities for all.

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