Warren County Delegation Announces Legislative Initiative for Economic Development Authority
October 28, 2019
Contact: 540-999-8218
Fauquier, VA – Today, Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham), Delegate Chris Collins
(R-Winchester), Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Mount Jackson), and Delegate
Michael Webert (R-Fauquier) announced that they are working towards improving
accountability, transparency, and oversight within the Warren County Economic
Development Authority.
“Delegates Collins and Gilbert and I are closely monitoring the
situation in Warren County,” said Delegate Webert, “We have begun
conversations with attorneys at the ethics council, and will continue to craft
legislation as more details of this case emerge. Transparency and
accountability are needed more than ever right now to restore the public trust
in local government. The legislative package we are working on will be
laser-focused on addressing these issues so that we catch bad actors
beforehand.”
Delegate C. Todd Gilbert one of the authors of Virginia’s ethics reform
laws who also serves on the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory
Council, stated, “Having worked on these issues for years, it is clear to
me that we can and must do more to provide oversight and accountability to
these economic development authorities. We are already in discussions about
potential legislation and await the outcome of pending cases to ensure we have
the best information available as to how to proceed.”
“I look forward to bringing integrity back to local
government,” said Delegate Chris Collins (R-Winchester), “and making
sure that we have the proper checks balances and accounting to ensure that we
bring confidence to the citizens that this does not happen again. It is a
priority for our delegation to find a solution to this oversight problem, and
we will be working together to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Senator Mark Obenshain commented, “I am committed to passing
legislation that will increase local government transparency and accountability
that will help prevent another EDA scandal from ever happening again. Last year
my bills (SB 1430 and SB 1431) passed that required local elected officials to
receive Conflict of Interest and Freedom of Information training, and next year
I want that to be expanded to cover appointed officials, including EDA
members.”
Senator Mark Obenshain, Delegates Chris Collins, C. Todd Gilbert, and Michael Webert all represent Warren County in the Virginia General Assembly. The next General Assembly legislative session begins in January 2020.
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