<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2grtIX_1FGRI7pq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2grtIX_1FGRI7pq00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Lucy Clark - stock.adobe.com</figcaption></figure>As the Virginia General Assembly prepares to meet in January, local leaders are identifying their top legislative priorities.Melanie Meren, a Hunter Mill District School Board member, said the General Assembly should prioritize K-12 funding reform and statewide guidance on classroom technology.She called Virginia’s Standards of Quality funding formula inadequate, noting that Fairfax County spends roughly $1.18 billion beyond state funding to support services such as special education and multilingual instruction. Meren argued the state should not be running budget surpluses “on the backs of localities.”Meren also urged lawmakers to establish a statewide framework for technology use in schools. She said school divisions have been left to manage the growing presence of digital devices without adequate state guidance, creating a “significant duplication of efforts” across Virginia. She called on the General Assembly to direct the Virginia Department of Education to develop a policy framework for the intentional use of technology in K-12 schools.Meren also wants to centralize the administration of equitable services under Title I and Title IV for private schools. She said the state stopped administering equitable services for private school students about two years ago, shifting responsibility to local school divisions. As a result, Fairfax County Public Schools has spent additional time and resources coordinating with multiple institutions, a process she described as “inefficient” and one that places a particular burden on Northern Virginia school systems serving students across overlapping jurisdictions.Finally, Meren wants the General Assembly to authorize localities to lower speed limits on roadways, including state-maintained roadways. She said a 2021 law allowing localities to lower speed limits was interpreted by VDOT as not applying to state-maintained roads. A later bill to expand the authority to counties such as Fairfax failed, and while a 2024 measure provided more limited authority, it only applies to roads already posted at 25 mph, which is why Fairfax County’s 20 mph pilot is restricted to those roads. She called the limitation “narrower authority.”The McLean Citizens Association didn’t develop a list of legislative priorities, but remains “concerned about the possibility that legislation would be reintroduced to promote the establishment of a casino in the Tysons area or Fairfax County in general.” While expressing hope that the issue was settled by last year’s gubernatorial veto, Association President Glenn Harris said the association would “work with local legislators” to fight any future casino legislation.The Reston Citizens Association is also adamantly opposed to a casino in the county and advocates for a Virginia Gaming Commission. Lynne Mulston, president of the Reston Citizens Association, said legislation to create a unified Virginia Gaming Commission has been delayed until the 2027 General Assembly session, giving lawmakers more time to examine the state’s “fragmented, multi-agency system” for regulating gaming and to consider related issues such as skill games, sweepstakes and potential online casino gaming.Mulston added that the proposal would leave the Virginia Lottery independent and maintain the current regulatory structure until lawmakers revisit the measure in 2027. She said the No Fairfax Casino Coalition supports a unified gaming commission because it believes a “single, independent regulator” would help prevent piecemeal gambling expansion and provide stronger oversight of proposals affecting Fairfax County.Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity applauded the county’s focus on supporting homeownership programs, additional funding for schools, jails, elderly, and disabled federal workforce support and development, protections and resources for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. But to Herrity, affordability is not being adequately addressed in the legislative package. “As in previous packages, the Board continues to focus on items that squash any notion that they are addressing the issue of affordability, at a time when local budgets continue to tax and raise fees on our residents at an unprecedented level,” Herrity argued.Herrity said that overregulation, panhandling, gaps in the justice system, and reliable energy deficiencies are not being addressed adequately. He said the legislative package focuses on issues such as collective bargaining, expanded local taxing authority and new environmental initiatives, while failing to address what he described as “overregulation” in housing and development, as well as concerns about panhandling, repeat violent offenders and the need for additional reliable energy generation. He argued those omissions could leave Fairfax residents facing higher costs and continued infrastructure and public safety challenges.Chairman Jeff McKay said Fairfax County’s top priorities include strengthening public education, securing long-term transit funding and expanding housing opportunities. He called for reforms to Virginia’s school funding formulas to ensure a “high-quality education” for students statewide, noting that Fairfax taxpayers shoulder a large share of education costs.He also said the county will continue pushing for a “long-term, sustainable funding solution” for Metro and Virginia Railway Express while seeking additional support for pedestrian safety and active transportation projects.In addition, McKay said Fairfax is seeking additional tools to increase housing supply and support vulnerable residents affected by changes to SNAP and Medicaid. He emphasized that addressing those issues will require a “strong partnership” between the state and local governments.Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez issued a special statement to the Fairfax County Times, reflecting his unique role on the county legislative committee.“As Chairman of the Fairfax County Legislative Committee, I can tell you our priorities this year all come back to one guiding idea: ‘Protecting and enriching our quality of life for people, neighborhoods, and diverse communities.’ That’s the lens we’re using at this upcoming General Assembly session. Fairfax County plays a major role in Virginia’s economy; therefore, we’re focused on continuing a strong partnership with the Commonwealth to meet our residents’ needs. K-12 funding is our top priority,” he said.Jimenez said Fairfax County’s priorities include strengthening public education, transportation, affordable housing and support for vulnerable residents. He said the county wants to build on a 2023 JLARC study to modernize school funding formulas so they better reflect the “real cost of delivering a quality education” in high-cost regions such as Northern Virginia.He also emphasized the need for dedicated, long-term funding for WMATA and the Fairfax Connector to ensure transportation investments keep pace with regional growth.On housing, Jimenez said affordable housing remains “top of mind” for county leaders, who support additional investment in the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, collaboration with the state on housing initiatives and preservation of local land-use authority.He added that Fairfax County is working to protect vulnerable residents as changes to Medicaid and SNAP take effect, including partnering with the Virginia Department of Health and equipping frontline staff with the training and tools needed to minimize service disruptions.</div></body>

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As the Virginia General Assembly prepares to meet in January, local leaders are identifying their top legislative priorities. Melanie Meren, a Hunter Mill District School Board member, said the General Assembly should prioritize K-12 funding reform and statewide guidance on classroom technology. She called Virginia’s Standards of Quality funding formula...

Local leaders set legislative priorities

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As the Virginia General Assembly prepares to meet in January, local leaders are identifying their top legislative priorities. Melanie Meren, a Hunter Mill 

Local leaders set legislative priorities

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