Issues
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Financial Education
Financial literacy is paramount to the success of our young people and older adults. It is critical to address the deficiencies in financial education by partnering with our local organizations to teach foundational items such as banking, certificate programs, and debt management. Some ideas include the following:
- A Central Financial Empowerment Center to coordinate with schools and local centers for promoting these courses
- Kindergarten to College Funds through a partnership with Invest529, which is underway
- An Innovation Academy for Workforce Training focused on upskilling the workforce and teaching technical skills on newer developments, such as artificial intelligence
Environment
The environment is important to me and the people in the city. Let’s promote stewardship and green space preservation. Here are some ideas:
- Establish a Capital Acquisition and Land Preservation (CALP) Bank/Fund to accumulate land as city property for economic development and green preservation
- Create a Green Infrastructure Rebate to offer matching funds for residents and businesses who replace asphalt with permeable pavers
- Coordinate with the Urban Forester to develop an Invasive Species Removal Program, following a similar process to the Community Flood Resilience Plan for identifying key hotspots of concern
Community Building
The secret to good government is the involvement of the community and its volunteers. I am pursuing:
- Explore a partnership to establish a service exchange and time bank for volunteers offering hours to assist older adults on various tasks – and in exchange – they can request for assistance in return with the hours they accrued
- Coordinate with a childcare provider to provide alternative childcare options for families during public meetings and events, including potentially contracting services
- Explore the Formation of a 2050 Visioning Committee led by community members to assess the city and set targets for us to meet within the next couple of decades
Homelessness
Based on feedback from talking with community members and observing the Homelessness Task Force meetings, homelessness is an issue on everyone’s minds as we move forward. My priorities include:
- Issue municipal ID cards (in partnership with organizations like the Lamb Center) for those without a driver’s license to access benefits and open a bank account for financial education
- Promote employment and training programs for upskilling and community service
- Targeted relocation and housing assistance for veterans, victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking
Business Development
The small business community is what drives our economy and the Economic Development Authority does an excellent job. I want to not only preserve that but expand it further. This includes:
- Dedicate money to expanding the FIIG program and launch a Legacy Business & Alumni Start-Up Grant to help Old Town and Small Area Plan businesses offset rising costs and incentivize business creation from Mason graduates
- Support the development of workforce housing for our first responders, teachers, and public-based positions
- Create a fee refund program for delayed permits, licenses, and certifications to streamline permits for businesses
Creative Affordability
Affordability is a critical issue in Northern Virginia, driven by high construction costs and increasing tax burdens. We need to get creative with how we can make things more affordable in the city by exploring options like:
- Establish guidelines and incentives for a Home Sharing Program in the City, encouraging young adults and families to reside and assist older adults at a reduced rental rate
- Explore the creation of a Senior Home-Safety Tax Credit or Grant to support long-term residents who invest in universal design and accessibility features in their homes
- Onboard a Faith-Based Coordinator to assist institutions and churches that own land who want to redevelop, driven by the passage of the Faith in Housing Act
