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Staff outlines new legislative strategy to coordinate year‑round state advocacy
Summary
Assistant to the city manager Brian Vandenberg proposed a formal legislative agenda, ongoing relationship management with the local delegation, issue intake and prioritization steps, and a calendar for meetings and adoption; council members expressed support and requested active involvement in issue intake.
Brian Vandenberg, assistant to the city manager, described a multi-step approach to amplify Harrisonburg's voice at the state level: an intake period in late spring/early summer to gather staff priorities; a mid-summer prioritization to create a short actionable legislative agenda for council adoption; outreach to patrons and state committee members in the fall; and daily monitoring during the legislative session. He said the agenda would include proactive asks, budget requests and monitoring lists, and that staff would align internally to present a unified city position.
Councilmembers asked to be involved at the intake level and raised topics such as affordable housing, transportation, clean energy, and guarding against state preemption of local authority. "I love this," one councilmember said, endorsing a more proactive engagement schedule with the delegation and regional associations. Vandenberg said staff will pilot the process this year and return with a draft agenda for council feedback.
