Adopted by Arlington County Board on December 10, 2005

Budget Priority Issues:
Transportation: Ensure the provision of stable, reliable, and permanent sources of funding for all modes of transportation and a dedicated source of funding for Metro.

BRAC Funding [Base Closure & Realignment]: Support retention of the military research functions in the region and oppose efforts by any other state to seek their relocation, and provide assistance in recovery from the significant economic impacts of the BRAC actions.

Chesapeake Bay & Water Quality: Support stable, adequate, and equitable funding for the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund.

Psychiatric Bed Crisis in Northern Virginia and State Mental Health and Mental Retardation System: Increase state funds for Northern Virginia to purchase more beds; raise the Northern Virginia daily rate for inpatient beds for these patients; and increase funding for successfully discharging patients into the community; support other efforts to improve state and community-based care in the mental health and mental retardation system.

1. Legislation of Significance to Arlington: Support

A. Authority:

• Restore local authority for consumer protection and safety from predatory towers;
• Provide authority for local governments to adopt an Owner Controlled Insurance Program to permit government contractors to arrange worker com and liability insurance coverage for self and subcontractors;
• Authorize tax incentives for the preservation of affordable housing, and authorize the acquisition by the County of property for the preservation or creation of affordable housing;
• Change Arlington’s authority regarding Board salaries so that it is similar to all other Virginia localities;
• Adopt legislation to provide for a level playing field for communication taxes;
• Adopt legislation to permit the Commonwealth to become a Streamlined Sales and Use Tax member;
• Provide authority to restrict out-of County commercial vehicles from overnight parking on Arlington residential streets; and
• Permit local governments to substitute an Internet option in place of mandatory advertising.

B. Civil Rights Initiatives:

• Permit benefit coverage for domestic partners and dependents by public employers as currently permitted for private employers;
• Add sexual orientation to list of prohibited discrimination categories in state hiring;
• Extend state hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation; and
• Protect the rights of and opportunities for public education and services of our immigrant population.

C. Affordable Housing:

• Codify Arlington’s Affordable Housing Ordinance as unanimously supported by the Roundtable;
• Give elderly and disabled tenants who currently are eligible for a three year lease or lease extension during a condo conversion, the right to assign their purchase rights to a government agency or non-profit; and
• Notify localities of condo conversions.

D. Public Safety: Provide enhanced authority to localities to regulate dangerous dogs.

E. Energy and the Environment: Support legislation that encourages conservation and energy efficiency, including incentives for the development of renewable forms of energy.

F. Public Health & Environment: Authorize local governments to regulate smoking in public places.

2. Legislation of Significance to Arlington: Monitor or Oppose

A. Local Authority

• Oppose limits on Medicaid which might prevent access to health care:
• Oppose limits on local waste management authority;
• Oppose limits on local incentives for affordable housing;
• Oppose efforts to restrict local zoning authority or zoning process;
• Oppose limitations on local funding of day labor sites, and other human service functions; and,
• Monitor VDOT recommendations for the process for counties to assume responsibility for their road programs and any change in funding formulas.

B. Civil Rights

• Oppose second resolution for a constitutional amendment to limit meaning of marriage: if passed it goes on a future ballot; and
• Oppose amendments to the Virginia Constitution to limit civil rights.

C. Tax/Revenue Issue

• Oppose restrictions and ceilings on real estate tax assessments or rates; and
• Create authority for local governments to provide a homestead exemption.

3. Northern Virginia Regional Legislative Issues

A. Pedestrian safety: Support Northern Virginia effort to require drivers to stop, not just yield, at all marked crosswalks statewide.

B. Transportation Funding: Support state budget and legislation to increase transportation funding for all modes from one or more stable, reliable, and permanent sources; fully fund the Commonwealth’s statutory 95 percent share of transit operating and capital costs (cost) approximately $200 million in additional funds); and create a dedicated funding source for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

C. Increased State Funding for Court System Employees, Including Public Defender’s Office: Support increased state funding for magistrates, district court employees, public defenders, and probation officers.

D. Restrictions on Services to Immigrants and Related Issues: Oppose new federal or state actions that would compromise traditional local government programs and services; oppose mandates of local government enforcement of federal immigration laws by local law enforcement officers or other local officials; and support state action to call for federal accountability for enforcement of federal immigration laws.

E. Medicaid Reimbursement: Support a Northern Virginia reimbursement differential of 17.5 percent, consistent with the JLARC study for Northern Virginia. Increase Medicaid waiver rates.

F. Services for Older Persons: Support additional State funding to communities to increase and better integrate services, such as home-delivered meals, transportation, and mental health programs.

G. Poverty Issues: Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, provide maximum flexibility and additional funding for TANF. Increase the state minimum wage.

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