In brief remarks at the beginning of Wednesday’s event, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney named two priorities for the upcoming session: funding for city schools and tighter gun restrictions.

City schools have not received their “fair share” of state funding for many years, said Stoney, reiterating a point he has repeated since his days as a candidate.

Beyond funding for operations, Stoney asked city leaders to lobby for capital funding to improve Richmond Public Schools’ decrepit portfolio of school buildings.

“I’m calling on all 19 of us — the School Board, City Council, myself — to walk across the street this January to advocate for the state to invest not just in renovations on Capitol Square, but also in renovations we need to make in the capital’s schools,” Stoney said.

In November, voters will weigh in on the issue. On the ballot is what is called the “schools modernization” referendum, which could prompt a charter change compelling Stoney to present to council members a fully funded plan to overhaul Richmond school facilities that does not rely on a tax increase, or else admit it can’t be done.