The Fairfax Chamber is The Voice of Business in
Northern Virginia™ before local, state and federal government.

The Chamber’s robust legislative program advances pro-business policies in critical areas like transportation, education, public-private partnerships, privatization, taxation, health care and more.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2013 LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA.

In 2012, the Fairfax Chamber successfully advocated
in Richmond for:

• A budget amendment that will allow for the expansion of Northern Virginia Community College’s (NVCC) successful SySTEMic Solutions program to Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and Alexandria. This program is focused on growing the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pipeline from high school, to NVCC, to George Mason University, and into the workforce.
• Requiring the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to rate planned transportation projects based on the amount of congestion reduction expected for each project so that the highest priority projects that offer the biggest “bang for the buck” can be identified in a publicly available list.
• Giving the Governor of Virginia an appointment on the Metro Board of Directors, which gives the Commonwealth a greater voice on this important public body.
• Keeping the 12.5 cents cap on the special property tax on commercial and industrial properties located in Northern Virginia. This offers predictability to the business community in an uncertain economy.
• Requiring local school boards and community colleges to develop agreements allowing high school students to complete an associate's degree from a community college concurrent with a high school diploma. This legislation will help more students earn post-secondary degrees.
• Banning government mandated project labor agreements, which dissuade merit-based employers from participating in bidding processes, thereby hindering competition in the marketplace.  Less competition results in increased costs for taxpayers.
• Giving tax credits for tele-working, data centers and small business investments.

The Fairfax Chamber was instrumental in defeating:

• Legislation to alter the public-private transportation act that would have discouraged private companies from investing in Virginia infrastructure projects.
• A budget amendment to authorize an administrative surcharge of $1.36 per employee on all calendar year 2013 employer charges.

The Fairfax Chamber also offers opportunities not found in other Chambers; NOVABizPAC, the Chamber's Political Action Committee, focuses on contributing funds to pro-business Northern Virginia legislators and other key leaders statewide.

If you have any questions regarding the Chamber's Advocacy Program, or would like to get involved, contact Christian Deschauer, VP, Government Relations, at cdeschauer@fairfaxchamber.org or by phone at 703.752.7544.