2019 Legislative Committee

Chair:  Roger Fawcett, Council Member, City of Suffolk
Vice Chair: Benming Zhang, Council Member, City of Williamsburg

City Section

Hector Cendejas, Council Member, City of Manassas Park
Erik Curren, Council Member, City of Staunton
Frank Friedman, Mayor, City of Lexington
Mary Person, Mayor, City of Emporia
Billy Withers, Council Member, City of Fredericksburg
Benny Zhang, Council Member, City of Williamsburg

Town Section

Nancy Bailey, Vice Mayor, Town of Big Stone Gap
Jennifer Baker, Council Member, Town of Herndon
Michael Barber, Mayor, Town of Christiansburg
Jim Bradley, Council Member, Town of Gordonsville
Kelly Burk, Mayor, Town of Leesburg
Joseph Goodman, Council Member, Town of Pulaski

Urban Section

Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Vice Mayor, City of Alexandria
Katie Cristol, Board Member, County of Arlington
Roger Fawcett, Council Member, City of Suffolk
Robert Ike, Council Member, City of Chesapeake
Alonzo Jones, Mayor, City of Danville
Sherman P. Lea, Sr., Mayor, City of Roanoke
Deanna Reed, Mayor, City of Harrisonburg
John Rowe, Mayor, City of Portsmouth
Christine Snead, Councilwoman, City of Hampton
Levar Stoney, Mayor, City of Richmond
Tina L. Vick, Vice Mayor, City of Newport News
Sabrina Wooten, Council Member, City of Virginia Beach

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.