Jeremy R. Bennett, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo), recently returned to the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership’s Emerging Leaders Program to speak with participants as part of the program’s annual “Budget Game” weekend.
Bennett’s participation continues a partnership with Sorensen and builds on his presentation to the 2025 Emerging Leaders cohort. Last year, Bennett helped kick off the Budget Game with a discussion of the intersection of state and local education budgets, education policy, school construction, and advocacy before the Virginia General Assembly and Executive Branch.
This year’s presentation again provided participants with a local government perspective on the difficult decisions involved in developing public policy and allocating limited resources. Bennett discussed the important role Virginia’s counties play in funding and delivering essential public services, with particular attention to K-12 education, school construction, and the relationship between state policy decisions and local budgets.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of effective advocacy and collaboration among state and local officials. Drawing on VACo’s work representing Virginia’s counties before the General Assembly and state agencies, Bennett offered participants insight into how policy ideas move through the legislative and budget processes and how local governments work with state leaders to address challenges facing their communities.
The Sorensen Institute’s Budget Game provides participants with a hands-on opportunity to confront many of the same competing priorities and fiscal constraints faced by policymakers. Participants must weigh policy goals against available resources and consider the practical consequences of funding decisions for communities across the Commonwealth.
“We greatly value our partnership with the Sorensen Institute and the opportunity to engage with Virginia’s next generation of leaders,” Bennett said. “The Budget Game is a terrific way to demonstrate that public policy ultimately requires choices about priorities, resources, and implementation. Counties are where many of those decisions become real for Virginians, whether through their schools, public safety services, infrastructure, or other essential local services.”
About the Sorensen Emerging Leaders Program
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership’s Emerging Leaders Program brings together young professionals and rising leaders from across Virginia for intensive training focused on public policy, governance, leadership, and civic engagement. Its signature Budget Game challenges participants to navigate the tradeoffs involved in developing a public budget and provides practical experience with the realities of policymaking.
VACo thanks the Sorensen Institute for once again inviting the Association to participate and congratulates this year’s Emerging Leaders cohort. VACo looks forward to continuing its partnership with Sorensen and helping future leaders better understand the critical role counties play in serving Virginia’s communities.
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett