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EXHIBIT 2019 VML Legislative Program The Virginia Municipal League adopted the following legislative program for the 2019 session of the General Assembly. Top Legislative Priorities State Assistance to Local Police Departments (HB 599) Almost 70 percent of Virginians live in communities served by police depart- ments. The state created a program of financial assistance to local police departments (HB599) when it imposed an annexation moratorium on cities more than 30 years ago. It has increasingly de- emphasized this funding obligation as a priority but has never compromised on the annexation moratorium. VML calls for the state to honor its commitment to local governments and public safety by funding the program as stipulated in the Code of Virginia or lift the moratorium on annexation. Funding the Real Cost of Education The state funding formula for education operating costs breaks down on a statewide level as 55 percent state /45 percent local funding. However, the Standards of Quality do not recognize the true costs of education, including pupil transportation, school support staff, providing and updating broadband and other technology, and instructional staff salaries. Neither does it recognize most construction and renovation costs. Local governments match more than is required for basic state education dollars, pay the majority of public school capital costs and struggle to find scarce local tax dol- lars to keep up with the demands for meeting additional and expanding state require- ments and for creating 21 st century Iearning environments for our children to master the challenges of tomorrow's workplace. VNfL supports actions for the Commonwealth to recognize and fund the true costs of public education, including new avenues for funding public school construction and renovation cost such as the creation of a pilot program of competitive grants using funds from the Virginia Public Building Authority to offset new construction or renova- tion costs for publicly -mvmed and operated K -12 schools. Mental Health Alternative Transportation and Access to Beds VML supports stable, sustained state funding and adequate safety standards for the use of alternative transportation for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis 2 2019 VML Legislalfve Program