State delegates urge local engagement, flag education and funding priorities

Winchester — Delegate Bill Wiley and a state senator visited the Winchester City Council on Nov. 12 to outline likely legislative priorities and encourage local officials to engage at the subcommittee level.

The delegates told the council that changes in party control at the state level will shape bills this session and advised local leaders to appear at subcommittee hearings, which they described as decisive. "If you're not there speaking in subcommittee in person, you're gonna miss out," Wiley said, urging city officials to work with the Virginia Municipal League and other associations that represent municipal interests.

Why it matters: delegates framed the visit as a heads-up on bills that could directly affect Winchester’s budget and services. Wiley highlighted education funding and a proposed 1% sales-tax levy for schools that would be referendum-driven if it advances. "That's gonna get more guardrails on it," he said of proposed marijuana legislation, and he predicted the 1% levy for schools "will most likely make it through this time" if adjustments are made.

Council members pressed the delegates on campaign finance reform after a student public commenter asked the city to adopt a resolution supporting disclosure. Wiley said he was not directly involved in corporate-donation policy but backed the idea of treating campaign funds with business-like transparency. "You should treat it like a business," he said. He also said local resolutions are considered in broader decision-making at the Capitol and encouraged coordinated district-level approaches.

The delegates also addressed grant and project funding, including federal brownfield and EDA options for a local redevelopment site. They warned that securing state funds is harder when the delegation is in the minority but said they would help seek matches or grants where feasible. "If we can have a match, we can have a grant," Wiley said, while also urging the private site owner to engage on mitigation.

On education, a teacher warned of proposed increases in Standards of Learning cut scores that could materially reduce graduation rates in some schools. Wiley said he had discussed the issue with state education officials and that the department planned more phased changes; he suggested local school officials follow up with the state for clarifications.

The visit closed with an offer from the delegates to be points of contact in Richmond. Wiley encouraged local leaders and residents to visit the Capitol: "Please come see us. It's your capital." The delegates did not advocate for specific local ordinance language at the meeting; they emphasized attendance and direct advocacy in committee hearings as the most effective steps for Winchester officials.

What’s next: the council and staff indicated they will follow up on education questions and engage the Economic Development Authority about potential grant matches for local projects.