Legislative Priorities

Thank You for Your Help in Establishing Our 2024 Legislative Agenda!

Our commitment is to make your priorities our battle cry in the legislative arena.

The concerns of our members guide our steps, fuel our advocacy, and sharpen our focus. Every stride we make aims to uplift the professional lives of Virginia’s state employees and retirees.

The Power of Collective Input

While we prioritize the input from our VGEA members, we are open to and value the insights from all state employees and retirees. Our advocacy efforts, fueled by VGEA member dues, benefit Virginia’s entire workforce and bring about positive changes that benefit all.

Why Every Voice Matters

Every piece of input, every shared concern, and every innovative suggestion enriches our understanding and fortifies our advocacy.

The diversity of experiences and perspectives among state employees and retirees is a treasure trove of insights that guide our actions. We look forward to hearing from you and championing your causes.

Remembering 2023’s Priorities

The VGEA’s annual legislative priorities are developed each year in collaboration with our VGEA members, the VGEA board and leadership team, and through information gathered throughout the year at state and VGEA events.

These priorities help us focus on the most essential, critical, and urgent issues affecting state employees and retirees and guide our work with the General Assembly:

• Compensation Increases: Monitor and protect the implementation of the overall 10% salary increase (5% in 2022-2023 and 5% in 2023-2024) in the 2022-2024 biennial budget. Work with the budget committees on all compensation-related considerations.
• Employee Healthcare Benefits: Work with the Department of Resource Management (DHRM) leadership to deliver high-quality health insurance plans and benefits for active employees and retirees.
• Telework: Work with administration leadership to develop a telework policy that considers the complexities and nuances of all state jobs to help support and retain valuable state employees while attracting excellent talent both now and in the future.
• Recruitment and Retention Efforts: Continue to support the Virginia Department of Corrections effort to address the staffing challenges they are facing and any other issues that may arise for employees throughout the workforce. Continue to monitor the DHRM study of the impact of the teleworking options to attract top talent to state jobs.
• Retirement Benefits: Work with the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) to increase the Group Life “floor” provided in § 51.1-505(B).

Your insights and perspectives are always welcome. The VGEA team is available 365 days a year, and we encourage members to reach out anytime via email at info@vgea.org or through our contact page at vgea.org/contact.

Your ongoing input is essential in guiding our mission and ensuring our efforts reflect the true voice of our members.