Progress for Petersburg
Economic development and educational progress includes programs, policies or activities that seek to improve economic well-being and educational outcomes, thus the overall quality of life for a community—and my entire tenure in office has been centered around this.
Education
Since before getting elected, Petersburg had a reputation as the home to one of the most disadvantaged school districts in the Commonwealth. Since day one of being in office, I’ve championed education. To include:
To keep well qualified school leadership, I secured a special agreement with the state to ensure recurring supplemental funding ($350,000) for PCPS to attract and retain the best executive leadership team.
I obtained funding to increases to the at-risk-add-on fund. A fund that allows schools extra cash for general use by school districts with high concentrations of students on free and reduced lunch. It's allocated in the budget and can be used for anything a school deems necessary. (Roanoke Times, Lawmakers Propose Funding Boost for School Districts with Most At-Risk Students)
To amplify the dire need to improve our schools that have not been replaced in decades I helped to ensure Petersburg was included in the organized crumbling school tours, to bring public/private leaders together to imagine funding models to replace school buildings in disrepair. (VPM News, In Petersburg, Advocates Highlight Virginia’s Urgent Need for School Infrastructure Upgrades | VPM)
In a community where a significant population of people have made mistakes in the past, to increase their employability and get access to training and college, my legislation (HB 1930) removed the question about their criminal history from state college applications. (Progress Index, Governor signs bill removing criminal-record checkboxes from state college applications)
Lastly, in 2021 the Virginia Education Association named me Legislator of the Year because of my leadership to address the perennial underfunding of Virginia’s Standards of Quality. In 2020 and 2021 my legislation would have required the General Assembly to fully fund our schools—especially those that have suffered from disinvestment historically (Richmond Times Dispatch, Legislators renew push to fully fund, update standards for public education)
Economic Development
On the topic of economic development, centered specifically around attracting business—I am the recipient of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Free Enterprise Award, more than once because during only my second term in office, I worked across the aisle with Republican Delegate Will Morefield creating the first of its kind tax incentive for economically disadvantaged communities. Governor Northam came to Petersburg to sign this legislation. (Washington Post, Divided by party, united by desperation, lawmakers seek help for poorest areas) (Washington Post, Law aimed at helping poor areas of Va. shows power — and limits — of bipartisanship)
Tax incentives are a critical tool to attract new industries to regions where a workforce infrastructure needs to be built, and provide an economic boost to these communities in need---but the success of those industries and our ability to attract and retain, starts and ends with our schools
As vice-chair of the Tobacco Commission and Chair of the Incentives and Loans Committee my sole role was to allocate funds to support economic development projects and bring new jobs to our community.
“I would also like to congratulate Delegate Lashrecse Aird on being named vice-chair and look forward to working with her as we continue to find new and innovative ways to ensure that the commission has a positive impact on the communities it serves.” - Tobacco Commission Chairman, Ed Owens. (The Gazette-Virginian, South Boston mayor now leading state tobacco commission)
There would be no pharmaceutical cluster in Petersburg were it not for the early meetings I convened with VEDP CEO, Dr. Stephen Moret and his team to work through foundational steps Petersburg needed to take to have the infrastructure in place to be competitive including securing $10-million dollars so the City of Petersburg could complete infrastructural work needed to land the deal. (Richmond BizSense, Pharma venture fuels $25M expansion of AMPAC facility in Petersburg)
And, lastly, so those who have made mistakes can qualify for these and any other municipal or state jobs, my legislation (HB757) bans the criminal history box on public employment applications to give everyone a fair chance. (Progress Index, Assembly backs Aird's 'Ban the Box' bill)