FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2023
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MEDIA CONTACT: Samantha Ruark
Communications Manager
(703) 525-2400 ext. 205
Event photos available here. |
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State Senators and Delegates Speak at Arlington Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Breakfast |
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ARLINGTON, VA - Yesterday, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Legislative Breakfast sponsored by Nestlé. The event - back in person for the first time since the pandemic - offered attendees the opportunity to hear about the recent General Assembly session from the legislators who represent Arlington in Richmond. Arlington’s members of the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates discussed the legislation that they patroned, the issues that the General Assembly took up, and the outlook for Arlington and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
"We are so grateful to the legislators who represent Arlington in Richmond for their ongoing partnership," said Kate Bates, President & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, "The Chamber's mission is to strengthen business and the economic environment for those work, live, and do business in Arlington. This event - along with all our advocacy work - is an important part of how we fulfill that mission."
Nick Minock, Political Reporter with WJLA/ABC7News, moderated the panel of legislators which consisted of Senators Adam Ebbin and Barbara Favola, and Delegates Patrick Hope and Alfonso Lopez. The legislators answered questions on a variety of topics, including transportation infrastructure, Arlington's office vacancy, and housing affordability.
"If I had to grade this past session, I’d give it an incomplete," said Senator Adam Ebbin, "We still don’t have a budget figured out. We’re waiting to see what Senator Howell and the Senate Conference Committee iron out…and the Governor and House Republicans will need to meet us somewhere. I know they want that billion-dollar tax cut, on top of last year’s."
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L-R: Kate Bates, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Senator Adam Ebbin, Senator Barbara Favola, Delegate Patrick Hope, and Delegate Alfonso Lopez |
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Workforce retention and economic development were among the topics of conversation and all panelists underlined the importance of the quality of life for their employees in the decision of large employers locating their headquarters in Arlington.
"We know that a company is looking at a locality’s workforce, looking at quality of life, looking at affordable housing, looking at transportation, at higher education institutions," said Senator Barbara Favola, "They want a good environment in which to work. They want flexibility to work with colleges and universities. Economic development is about being flexible and I think we need to have a more open rein."
"We have to be a welcoming and inclusive place," said Delegate Patrick Hope, "Everybody is talking about workforce, about transportation, education, quality of life, low taxes: all of these things [are] factors in what makes Virginia a good place to live and do business."
Another hot topic was the fact that this was a divided government and all the legislators spoke about the importance of working across the aisle to get legislation passed.
"It's all about relationships," said Delegate Alfonso Lopez, "When I got to Richmond in 2012, we had Democrats and Republicans in our freshman class and we came up through the House together. We have conversations, and those conversations bring out issues."
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The legislators also took questions from members of the business community and leaders of local nonprofit organizations during the audience Q&A. |
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Photo credit: Arlington Chamber of Commerce
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ABOUT THE CHAMBER
Founded in 1924, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership organization of more than 750 businesses committed to strengthening businesses and the economic environment for those who work, live, and do business in Arlington. The Chamber supports our members through networking, advocacy, professional development, and community engagement. For more information or to become a member, visit www.arlingtonchamber.org.
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