(The Center Square) – Local officials in parts of Virginia are pushing back against collective bargaining legislation now on the governor’s desk, warning the changes could increase costs and limit local control as counties finalize their budgets.
In Bedford County, the Board of Supervisors voted 7-0 on Tuesday to adopt a resolution opposing Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 1263. Those would establish a statewide collective bargaining framework for public employees and replace the current system that allows local governments to opt in.
The resolution says the legislation would replace Virginia’s current system, which allows local governments to decide whether to engage in collective bargaining, with a state-run model overseen by a Public Employee Relations Board…