The City of Alexandria is asking residents if and how it should change its legislative priorities for the next Virginia General Assembly session in 2027.
Because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, localities can only use authority specifically granted by the General Assembly through a state law or city charter. The city sends requests to state lawmakers each year through its Legislative Agenda.
The 2026 Legislative Agenda adopted by Alexandria City Council in December 2025 had included the following priorities:
- Address Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions
- Advance Housing Affordability and Economic Opportunity
- Rebuild Critical School Infrastructure
- Address Mental Health, Public Health and Safety, and Community Well-Being
- Advance Opportunity for All Alexandrians
- Strengthen Transit, Infrastructure, Resilience, and Clean Energy Transition
- Promote Civic Engagement and Election Integrity
A new survey asks residents to identify their top three priorities of the seven choices from 2026. The survey is open through Aug. 28.
The 2026 General Assembly advanced numerous Democratic priorities as the party gained a trifecta with the governor, House of Delegates and Senate. Some notable bills include the next minimum wage increase, the Faith in Housing bill that requires localities to allow by-right affordable housing on faith-based organizations’ property, a paid family and medical leave program, a paid sick leave program, a childcare assistance program, and the Right to Contraception Act to guarantee women’s access to birth control.
Some of the bills passed by legislators representing Alexandria include a restriction on federal immigration agreements, a new limit on gun transfers from a person convicted of assault and battery of a household member, ban on “ghost guns,” a new way for localities to preserve publicly supported multifamily rental properties losing affordability restrictions, and a move to join the multi-state National Popular Vote Compact.
The General Assembly also advanced three amendments to the Virginia constitution that will go to voters on Nov. 3 — codifying abortion rights and same-sex marriage as well as restoring voting rights to felons after their sentences.
Virginia is also moving toward recreational marijuana sales. Although Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) had vetoed marijuana retail market legislation, the state budget compromise approved by the House and Senate included an agreement to start recreational marijuana sales in Virginia on July 1, 2027.
