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Three elected officials visited businesses across Alexandria as part of an effort to drum up support for a paid family and medical leave bill.

Rep. Don Beyer, Del. Carroll Foy and State Sen. Jennifer Boysko — all Democrats — visited three businesses on Friday (Dec. 13) and spoke with business owners who were supportive of the bill. The trio visited Lori’s Table (1028 King Street), Bishop’s Boutique (815 King Street) and Let’s Meat on the Avenue (2403 Mount Vernon Avenue).

“It went well,” said Donna Welch, owner of Let’s Meat on the Avenue. “It’s a small issue, but one that impacts a lot of people, particularly how it impacts lower-income people. We need to do better.”

The event was organized by Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy (CFFE) — an organization that pushes for better economic conditions for working families — and Main Street Alliance, a network of small business coalitions.

According to the press release from CFFE:

Paid family and medical leave would ensure that hardworking Virginians are able to take paid time away from work when they welcome a new child or they or a loved one faces a serious illness. Polling indicates that paid family and medical leave is incredibly popular in Virginia. Rep. Beyer, Del. Foy and Sen. Boysko, as well as the business owners they will meet with, are calling on members of the Virginia General Assembly to listen to their constituents and business owners across the state and pass paid family and medical leave this year.