ON THE ISSUES
Deshundra’s Priorities
Standing up to Data Center Development
Deshundra was elected in 2023 because of her tough stance against intrusive data center development and fought to make sure they pay their fair share—not get a free pass at taxpayers’ expense. She pushed to double the computer and peripherals tax rate to $4.50 from $2.15, ensuring data centers contribute more toward the services and infrastructure they rely on while helping reduce the tax burden on residential property owners.
Deshundra has led the way to defeat several contentious data center projects that threaten residential communities, rural areas, and our national parks. She also introduced a directive to decommission data centers once they have reached the end of their useful life.
We need her to continue to protect our communities.
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Lowering the Cost of Living
Prince William County residents are feeling the impacts of inflation, tariffs, and rising energy costs. Deshundra made it clear that residents couldn’t continue to shoulder the tax burden while data centers received huge tax breaks.
Deshundra has championed affordability measures for residents that have resulted in a 10.5% cut to the real estate tax, leaving our community with one of the lowest rates in the region. Under her leadership, the Board of County Supervisors reduced the car tax for the first time in 34 years, and lowered the meals tax to 3%.
These changes were a direct result of Deshundra’s push to increase the computer and peripherals tax rate - a tax paid primarily by data centers. Further reducing the taxes that residents pay remains one of her top priorities.
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Bringing More Jobs to Our Community
Donald Trump’s federal layoffs have created an urgent need to create more well-paying jobs close to home.
As Chair, Deshundra has been focused on making Prince William County a place where businesses can grow, workers can build careers, and families can thrive. That means cutting red tape, supporting small businesses and start-ups, improving public transit, streamlining the permitting process, and connecting contractors with the county resources they need.
Location, transportation, infrastructure, quality of life, and education all play a role in attracting and retaining good employers. Deshundra wants to make it easier for employers to add jobs in our community—from applying for a business license to getting construction permits to paying taxes. She believes that the county government should make it as simple as possible to do business and create opportunity.
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Expanding Pathways to Homeownership
Homeownership is a key part of the American dream that allows individuals and families to build equity and prosper. Our communities are stronger when more people have a vested interest.
Deshundra bought a home in Prince William County because it was an affordable place to raise her son. She recognizes that the cost of homeownership has skyrocketed and that proactive measures are needed to keep families in our community.
That includes using expanded legislative authority to create a stronger Affordable Housing Ordinance, setting aside additional funding for the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and working with homebuilders to create more homes for first-time buyers.
Transit-oriented development is another avenue Deshundra wants to explore. There are several congested corridors where creating walkable communities would alleviate congestion and create a wider mix of housing options.
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Investing in Education
Few investments lead to a higher return on investment than a strong school system. Strong schools have a direct impact on the long-term success of the children that they serve, particularly students from disadvantaged households, and attract more businesses to our community.
That’s why Deshundra has delivered on her promise to invest more into our schools. Under her leadership, Prince William County Schools have received historic levels of funding, enabling them to expand access to Pre-K and better integrate technology into classrooms.
Our schools have made a lot of outstanding progress, but potential cuts in state funding could undo the advances they’ve made. Deshundra will continue to fight for our children so that they can fulfill their potential. She also supports teachers, administrators, and other school staff by providing funding for competitive pay.
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Championing Public Safety
Every Prince William County resident deserves to feel safe, and keeping our community safe takes a multifaceted approach. That means investing in the dedicated professionals who protect us, ensuring our public safety workforce has the resources and support it needs, and taking proactive steps to prevent crime.
Deshundra has fought to increase pay for our police officers, firefighters, and non-sworn civilian staff, recognizing that recruiting and retaining qualified public servants is essential. Under her leadership, the Board of County Supervisors approved collective bargaining for public safety officers in a near-unanimous vote.
Public safety also means investing in our young people and addressing challenges before they escalate. Prince William County now has an Office of Youth Services, creating an opportunity to better connect young people and their families with the resources, support, and guidance they need to thrive.