Chair David Bulova, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 11th District, convened an emergency committee on the impacts of federal workforce and funding reductions and asked the panel to collect data, assess budgetary and economic risks and recommend responses to the General Assembly.

"We are here today because federal workforce reduction can and cuts in spending not only affect, the ability of individual families to support themselves, it's also gonna have a ripple effect on, our economy and affect our our state budget," Bulova said during opening remarks.

The committee was established by the Speaker and is bipartisan; Bulova said members were chosen to bring geographic and professional diversity to the work. He asked staff and presenters to prioritize scenarios and data that will allow the group to estimate possible revenue and program impacts and to recommend actionable policy options. The panel expects several follow-up meetings in different regions of the state to gather local perspectives.

Presenters at the organizational meeting included Clark Mercer of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Eric Scorsone of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, Mitch Melas of the Virginia Employment Commission, Kim McKay and David Reynolds from budget staff, and Joe Flores of the Virginia Municipal League. Members and presenters discussed data gaps at federal sources such as the Office of Personnel Management and the need for consistent scenario modeling across agencies.

Bulova told members that the committee’s work should be both analytic and practical: collect and analyze data about potential federal cuts; engage stakeholders including state agencies, businesses and nonprofits; and deliver policy recommendations for resiliency and aid to affected Virginians. The panel plans at least four meetings—Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, a meeting focused on rural areas and a final session in Richmond—to collect evidence and return recommendations to the House.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that passed by voice vote.