Thank you to our Public Policy Program of Work Sponsors:
General Assembly Reconvened Session
The General Assembly met on April 27th to consider Governor Youngkin’s vetoes of 26 bills from the 2022 legislative sessionThese vetoes were sustained by the General Assembly, which made for a relatively tame day of policymaking. Although no vetoes were overturned, a couple notable actions (and one important case of inaction) are worth mentioning:

  • The Governor’s proposed temporary gas tax suspension, which sought to remove the $0.26 cent per gallon tax on fuel during the summer months, was defeated in the Senate Committee on Finance with one Republican joining Democrats in killing the measure. While elevated fuel prices are certainly concerning for all consumers, the Chamber believes it is important to ensure that our transportation infrastructure revenue—funded by the fuels tax—does not diminish, especially with more Virginians turning to electric vehicles.  

  • Former House Speaker and Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) was removed from her leadership position after a vote of the House Democratic Caucus. This position remains vacant until an additional caucus election occurs.

  • The House and Senate have not yet come to terms on a budget agreement, and the General Assembly is fast approaching the July 1 deadline for passage. The House and Senate remain at odds over several items, to include tax rebates, changes to Virginia’s standard tax deduction, and reduction or elimination of the grocery tax.
Upcoming Events
Our 2nd Annual Virginia's Blue Ridge Series, Presented by Ridge View Bank, continues on Tuesday, May 17. Only 20 tickets remain! The rest of our seating has already been purchased by series ticket holders.
 
If you have purchased a series ticket, Chamber staff will be in touch soon.
 
Next up: The State of Manufacturing, Sponsored by Woods Rogers. Dr. Victor Gray will be discussing recent regional trends in manufacturing with an eye toward the future.

What: Virginia's Blue Ridge Series - State of Manufacturing (3 of 4)
Where: Vinton War Memorial
When: Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Registration and Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Program: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Cost: $50.00 for members | $100 for future members

Make plans to join us on May 24 from 8:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m. in the Whitman Theatre at Virginia Western Community College to explore economic, business, and workforce trends. 

When: Tuesday, May 24 | 8:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virginia Western Community College
Cost: $40.00/members | $80/future members
State and Local
VDOT Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) Public Hearing

The Virginia Department of Transportation will soon host a public hearing for area citizens to provide comment on the Six Year Improvement Program (SYIP).  You may find a draft of the SYIP by clicking here, and additional supporting documentation may be found here under the “Salem” district tab.  

This program allocates public funds to highway, road, bridge, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation projects.  Comments can be made at the meeting or submitted electronically, and this feedback will help the Commonwealth Transportation Board better understand our region’s funding priorities.  Comments may be submitted electronically until May 23, 2022.

Location:  Holiday Inn Valley View
                 3315 Ordway Dr. NW
                 Roanoke, VA 24017

Date: May 12, 2022

Time: 4:00pm

Safe and efficient transportation infrastructure is a key component in our goal to help grow our regional economy, and we encourage you to join us in submitting public comment in support of that goal.  If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact Terry at tdurkin@roanokechamber.org.
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STAY CONNECTED:

Terry Durkin
Vice President of Public Policy
 Roanoke Regional Chamber 
TDurkin@RoanokeChamber.org
540.682.2111