2.2-206 - Urban issues; report; responsibilities of the Secretary. - Virginia Statutes

§ 2.2-206. Urban issues; report; responsibilities of the Secretary.

A. In order to evaluate and promote the economic potential and development ofthe urban areas in the Commonwealth, during the first year of each newgubernatorial administration, the Secretary, with the assistance of acabinet-level committee appointed in accordance with subsection B, shalldevelop a report on the condition of the state's urban areas and establishingpriorities for addressing those conditions. The report shall include thefollowing components:

1. A review of economic and social conditions in the cities of theCommonwealth;

2. The identification of inequities between those urban areas experiencingeconomic growth and relatively low fiscal stress and those urban areasexperiencing economic decline and relatively high levels of fiscal stress;

3. The establishment of specific and quantifiable benchmarks for addressingeconomic and social conditions and inequities within urban areas;

4. Prioritized recommendations for specific actions by state agenciesintended to meet the established performance benchmarks within a prescribedschedule; and

5. A system for tracking agency progress in meeting the benchmarks during thesucceeding biennia.

B. During the first year of each new gubernatorial administration, theGovernor shall issue an executive order creating a cabinet-level committee toassist the Secretary in the development of an urban policy vision andpriorities for the Commonwealth. The Secretary shall be the chairman of thecommittee, and the Secretaries of Education, Health and Human Resources,Natural Resources and Transportation shall serve as committee members. TheGovernor may also appoint representatives of local government from Virginia'surban areas to serve as committee members. During the third year of each newgubernatorial administration the Secretary shall review and report on theperformance of each agency in meeting the established benchmarks.

(1999, c. 519, § 2.1-51.39:3; 2001, c. 844; 2004, c. 238.)