Legislative Committee
2023 VML Legislative Program (adopted Oct. 3)
Chair: Deanna Reed, Mayor, City of Harrisonburg
Vice Chair: Terry Short, Jr., Council Member, City of Waynesboro
City Section
Pat Dent, Council Member, City of Williamsburg
Frank Friedman, Mayor, City of Lexington
Cindy Mester, Deputy City Manager, City of Falls Church (Infrastructure Co-Chair)
Terry Short, Jr., Council Member, City of Waynesboro (HD&E Chair)
John David Smith, Mayor, City of Winchester
Jason Tyree, City Manager, City of Buena Vista (Gen. Laws Chair)
Town Section
Nancy Bailey, Vice Mayor, Town of Big Stone Gap
Keith Harless, Town Manager, Town of Pennington Gap
John Hodges, Vice Mayor, Town of Ashland
Sara McGuffin, Town Manager, Town of Amherst (CED Chair)
Honorable Edward Owens, Mayor, Town of South Boston
Keith Rogers, Jr., Town Manager, Town of Dumfries (Finance Chair)
Urban Section
Christopher Blakeman, Environmental Manager, City of Roanoke (Infrastructure Co-Chair)
E. Michelle Davis-Younger, Mayor, City of Manassas
Shannon Glover, Mayor, City of Portsmouth
James Gray, Vice Mayor, City of Hampton
Rocky Holcomb, Council Member, City of Virginia Beach
Amy Jackson, Vice Mayor, City of Alexandria
Alonzo Jones, Mayor, City of Danville
Sena Magill, Vice Mayor, City of Charlottesville
Andria McClellan, Council Member, City of Norfolk
Deanna Reed, Mayor, City of Harrisonburg
Debbie Ritter, Council Member, City of Chesapeake
Tina Vick, Councilwoman, City of Newport News
Legislative Committee process
What is the role of the Legislative Committee? The Legislative Committee is responsible for considering and developing positions on existing or proposed state and federal legislation or regulations, and urging the enactment or amendment of, or opposition to, such legislation or regulations.
How is the Legislative Committee appointed? VML’s Constitution spells out the composition of the Legislative Committee. The committee consists of 24 individuals holding local elective or appointed positions, all appointed by VML’s President. Of the 24 members, 12 must be representatives of cities and urban counties with populations in excess of 35,000, six must be representatives of cities and urban counties with populations of 35,000 or less, and six must represent towns.
What is included in VML’s Legislative Program? The legislative program adopted by the Legislative Committee reflects specific legislative objectives that VML hopes to achieve during the upcoming legislative session. It is subject to the approval of VML’s membership at the annual conference.
What is the relationship between the legislative committee and VML’s policy committees? The Legislative Committee meets prior to the policy committees to identify issues that it would like the committees to consider for potential inclusion in the league’s legislative program. It meets again after the policy committees have met to consider their recommendations.
