Delegate Mark Sickles and Senator George Barker held their winter Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 AM in the Franconia Government Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310. The first part of the meeting featured Supervisor Sharon Bulova, who updated citizens on county affairs and answered questions about the state of the county budget in the midst of the current recession.

For the remainder of the meeting, Delegate Sickles and Senator Barker discussed their respective legislative agendas, as well as key issues under consideration during the 2009 General Assembly Session.

Senator Barker focused on several pieces of legislation he is carrying, including bills related to school construction, the distribution of transportation funds for road maintenance, and health care. He also addressed legislation he is carrying that would eliminate the waiting list for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Senator Barker discussed several budget amendments he introduced. One amendment would require Mental Health Law Reform Funds to be distributed on a per capita basis. Under the current distribution formula, Fairfax County receives far less per capita than many other areas of the state. He also is working to preserve funding for the Poison Centers that serve Virginia.

Senator Barker and Delegate Sickles were joined late in the meeting by Delegate Vivian Watts. The three legislators answered questions from the audience of over 60 residents that attended.