Arlington, Alexandria Define Legislative Priorities

Military, Taxes, Health Top Lists

Arlington County and the city of Alexandria have approved their legislative priorities for the upcoming General Assembly session, with both jurisdictions seeking additional state aid for the federal base-closing plan, continued tax relief for homeowners by way of homestead exemptions, and more funding for mental health services.

Alexandria and Arlington have been hard hit by plans to realign and close military bases under recommendations by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, known as BRAC. Together the jurisdictions stand to lose tens of thousands of jobs under the plan, with Arlington being hit the hardest.

"From a dollar point of view, the BRAC transition money is very important to us," said Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson (D). The county's legislative proposals for next year support funding that would enable the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to remain in Arlington.

Alexandria's legislative priorities also include more BRAC funding. "We need more help from the state," said Vice Mayor Redella S. "Del" Pepper (D). "Both Arlington and Alexandria have big numbers of jobs moving out of our jurisdictions."

Pepper said a proposal by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) proposal to expand pre-kindergarten for poor children is also important to the city, which she said has a large number of eligible children.

"If we're going to have a strong school community, it has to start with pre-K," Pepper said. "You need to begin with a level playing field, and that's the only way to get that going."

City Council Member Rob Krupicka (D) said Alexandria is strongly opposed to legislation introduced during the last General Assembly session that would merge various pollution, water and waste control boards, take permitting authority away from the new consolidated board and give it to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The opposition stems from a belief among council members that the state environmental agency has been too lenient toward the Mirant power plant in north Old Town. City officials see the plant as a big polluter.

"If citizens are going to continue to have the opportunity to participate in environmental decisions, we need to prevent that consolidation from happening," Krupicka said. "It's very important for the health of our community."

The city also is against any restrictions on providing services to immigrants. In addition, it plans to propose legislation to eliminate the sales tax on environmentally friendly, compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Alexandria also supports continued homestead tax exemptions for homeowners, a statewide smoking ban, increased state funding for mental health services and a repeal of the Affirmation of Marriage Act, which prohibits recognition of same-sex marriage.

For Arlington, increased funding for affordable housing, transportation, mental health, energy conservation and public safety are among the measures the board will be advocating in the 60-day legislative session that begins Jan. 9.