Your Chamber in Action

GOVERNMENT

Advocacy Takes on Greater Offseason Role During Pandemic

BY CLAYTON MEDFORD

Vice President of Government Relations, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

In a normal year, the late spring and summer are a time for events, policy research and relationship-building for the person in charge of business advocacy at the Chamber. That usually entails bringing policy leaders before our members at events, meeting with legislators, and traveling around the region and to Richmond for meetings. In all, it’s a slower time compared to the 45-60 days of a legislative session that precede it.

This year, however, is not normal. Not even close! Instead of traveling anywhere, I have been stationed at my home office. Events have moved online and increased in number. Since the first stay-athome orders were issued, the Chamber has held more than a dozen policy-focused events. We held virtual meetings with Governor Ralph Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, and many more. We also held our annual policy events, such as the States of Economic Growth, Healthcare and Transportation, virtually.

We held our partner events, too: With the Arlington Chamber, we hosted the regional mayors and chairs at the annual Regional Elected Leaders Summit; and with the Greater Washington Board of Trade, we hosted Gov. Northam, Gov. Larry Hogan and Mayor Muriel Bowser at the Capital Region Business Forum. And we once again hosted our “Top of the Ticket” debate, a decadeslong tradition, this year with Sen. Mark Warner and his challenger Daniel Gade.

We also formed a new partnership called the Nova Back to Work Leadership Task Force. Back to Work was established to advocate for higher education and workforce training funding and programs to help Virginians get the skills they need for the jobs that are available now. Along with other chambers around the region, Back to Work includes George Mason University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Northern Virginia Community College, the regional workforce boards, GO Virginia, and the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance (all the region’s EDAs). It’s an exciting group that has already produced returnto-work guidelines and is making an impact through advocacy in Richmond.

At the time of this writing, the Chamber is also advocating before a special session of the Virginia General Assembly. The Governor called the legislature back to Richmond to work on the revised budget, criminal and social justice, and COVIDrelated issues. The Chamber set its priorities for the Special Session as: support for higher education; regulatory flexibility for businesses; and creating a more equitable Virginia. Watch this space next issue for a recap, as well as a preview of the 2021 regular session.

The early lesson from the special session is that the shortened regular session this winter will be more important than ever. If you would like to be more involved in our advocacy, please join the Policy Committee. As you read this, we are in the middle of developing the revamped 2021 Legislative Agenda, but we welcome all members’ participation at any time. As a Chamber member, you can also join the Chamber political action committee, NOVABIZPAC. Please contact me any time to discuss either of these opportunities.

Through all the events, the Chamber maintained focus on our 2020 Legislative Agenda’s business advocacy goals. Even during an unprecedented time – one that includes a global pandemic and an historic reckoning of race in America – creating an economy that works for everyone requires dedication. Our local and state advocacy efforts may have moved online, but they have not slowed down.