On April 12, the Chamber’s Portsmouth Division and Suffolk Division Boards held a special joint meeting at Comfort Suites Hotel in Suffolk.  The meeting featured a panel of legislators who provided an overview of the general assembly.  Legislators included Delegate Matthew James (D-80^th), Delegate Chris Jones (R-76^th), Senator Harry Blevins (R-14^th), Senator Louise Lucas (D-18^th) and Senator Thomas Norment (R-3^rd).  Business leaders listened to the legislators discuss issues of importance to them, including public and higher education, the budget and transportation.

 All six legislators agreed that transportation is a crucial issue that affects the Hampton Roads region.  “We have to do something to fix the transportation issue,” Senator Lucas said.  “If we don’t do something about transportation, we are going to quickly fall from a position of prominence to a position of shame.”   All the legislators concurred that transportation problems need to be addressed.  “We are obligated to come up with a solution,” said Senator Blevins.  While all agree something must be done, all have different approaches to solving the transportation problems.

The meeting concluded with a question and answer session during which each legislator had the opportunity to address specific concerns from the audience.