City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: DR. WENDY GINSBERG, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction of the Proposed Alexandria Legislative Package for the 2026 General Assembly Session
BODY
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ISSUE: Introduction of the proposed Alexandria Legislative Package for the 2026 General Assembly Session.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive the proposal for the City’s 2026 Legislative Package (Attachment); and
2. Schedule the Draft Legislative Package for public hearing and final adoption on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
BACKGROUND: Each year, the City of Alexandria produces its General Assembly Legislative Package. The goal of the package is to prioritize the City’s state legislative and budget priorities and communicate them to the community, stakeholders, and legislators. Because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, localities only have the authority expressly granted to them by the legislature by state statute or in their charter. Localities in Virginia, including Alexandria, therefore often request legislation to grant them enabling authority for specific powers they do not already have, which are often the core of the City’s Legislative Package.
The proposals in the draft Package originate from City Council members, City staff, and City boards and commissions. Staff worked with Council members, City departments, and boards and commissions to develop the legislative and funding proposals included in the City’s draft 2026 Legislative Package for Council consideration.
DISCUSSION: The draft 2026 Legislative Package outlines the City’s policy goals and funding requests for the upcoming General Assembly session. These priorities represent Alexandria’s main objectives for legislative advocacy and partnership with the Commonwealth, ensuring that local governments have the tools and flexibility needed to meet community needs and strengthen resilience across Virginia.
The package is organized around seven essential policy areas that reflect the City’s commitment to advancing opportunity, strengthening local authority, and promoting community resilience:
• Address Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions
• Advance Housing Affordability and Economic Opportunity
• Rebuild Critical School Infrastructure
• Address Mental Health, Public Health and Safety, and Community Well-Being
• Advance Opportunity for All Alexandrians
• Strengthen Transit, Infrastructure, Resilience, and Clean Energy Transition
• Promote Civic Engagement and Election Integrity
In addition to the input received from the Council Legislative Subcommittee at the November 19 meeting, the Package will receive input from the community and other stakeholders at the Public Hearing scheduled for December 13.
The 2026 General Assembly Session will be a full 60-day session beginning January 14, 2026. To supplement the work of the City’s Legislative Director, Capitol Square Strategies has been contracted to provide consulting support on state legislative affairs and to represent the City at the General Assembly. The Legislative Director and City consultants will report regularly on the status of the City’s legislative priorities, as well as other legislative and budget issues of interest to the City.
The City Council Legislative Subcommittee will meet weekly once the session begins and continue through the Friday following the final day for bill introduction. These meetings enable the Subcommittee to review legislation that may affect the City, with input from City staff subject matter experts, and to recommend positions on such legislation. The full City Council reviews recommendations and adopted positions are communicated to Alexandria’s General Assembly delegation for their consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment 1: Proposed 2026 Legislative Package
STAFF:
Dr. Wendy Ginsberg, Legislative Director, City Manager’s Office
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager, City Manager’s Office
Bonnie Brown, Deputy City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office