Photo courtesy of Gaskins
Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins
On behalf of the Alexandria City Council, Mayor Alyia Gaskins is calling on state and federal leaders to act swiftly in response to new, unfunded mandates in recently enacted federal legislation.
In a series of letters sent recently, Gaskins called for expedited audits to ensure Virginia is prepared for significant changes to vital public services. With federal cuts already in effect and new mandates constantly rolling out, Virginia has a shrinking window to identify opportunities to act before residents lose essential services.
Gaskins sent letters to the Alexandria’s General Assembly delegation, U.S. Representative Donald S. Beyer, Jr., and U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, urging independent reviews by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The audits would evaluate Virginia’s readiness for new requirements affecting Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other public programs.
READ EXCERPTS FROM MAYOR GASKINS' LETTERS
To the Virginia General Assembly delegation, she wrote:
“The Commonwealth of Virginia must act now to assess fiscal exposure, update outdated legacy IT systems and processes, and strengthen local safety nets to blunt the bill’s impacts and protect vulnerable residents. And we need a data-driven roadmap to help us get there. That is why I write with urgency to request an expedited JLARC (Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission) study.”
To Rep. Beyer, she emphasized:
“The residents of Alexandria cannot bear the brunt of federal penalties tied to systemic challenges beyond their control. A GAO (Government Accountability Office) review would provide invaluable insight… and give Congress a clear view into what support or adjustments may be needed to help states meet the new federal mandates without destabilizing access to food for vulnerable populations.”
To Senators Warner and Kaine, she warned:
“Virginia’s Medicaid Enterprise System (MES) and eligibility platforms are not designed for or prepared to support continuous work-status reporting for all beneficiaries, raising significant concerns about the risk of removing life-saving benefits from individuals and families who need, deserve, and qualify for adequate healthcare.”
Mayor Gaskins stressed that without auditing systems and clear, data-driven decision-making, local leaders, including the City of Alexandria, will be forced to navigate complex and costly mandates without a roadmap that identifies existing problems and offers best practices and solutions.
READ THE FULL LETTERS
- Letter to Alexandria General Assembly Delegation (JLARC)
- Letter to Representative Beyer (GAO—SNAP)
- Letter to Senators Warner and Kaine (GAO—Medicaid IT)
All policy letters published by Gaskins and the Alexandria City Council can be found at alexandriava.gov/go/7276.
