On December 17, 2019, during their Annual Meeting, the Virginia FREE Board of Directors endorsed, without opposition, the constitutional amendment that seeks to reform the redistricting process.
This issue is an important step towards upholding better government. Good government and a good business climate are inextricably linked.
The creation of a predictable, more transparent process for determining legislative district lines is a critical step in building trust in Virginia’s government. Business leaders must be able to trust those who make policy decisions that in turn affect our decisions to operate, maintain, and invest in our employees as well as our enterprises.
The Board recognizes business leaders might not always agree with decisions made by our government, but they must be able to trust the decision-making process.
Once an agreement is reached, it must be allowed to go forward unless there are obvious circumstances that require revisiting the agreement. We understand how deals come together and how they sometimes fail.
Redistricting reform passed with a super majority vote in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. Poll after poll demonstrate super majority support among Virginia’s registered voters.
November’s election results, in which the governing majority changed parties, do not meet the criteria for revisiting the agreement made on redistricting reform.
Any attempt to defeat this approved reform will be viewed by the citizens of the Commonwealth as a breach of trust by our General Assembly. It is our belief the decision has been made. Legislation should be passed to give Virginia’s citizens the opportunity to decide for themselves whether or not they want to amend their Constitution next November.
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