The DemocRatic People's Republic of Virginia
Newly sworn-in Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed 10 executive orders in her first official act at the Virginia State Capitol.
"Today, we are responding to the moment. We are setting the tone for what Virginians can expect over the next four years: pragmatic leadership focused on lowering costs and delivering results," Spanberger said in a statement. "My administration is getting to work on Day One to address the top-of-mind challenges facing families.
01. Statewide Affordability Directive
Orders the Governor’s Secretaries and all executive branch agencies to submit reports within 90 days to the Governor’s office identifying immediate, actionable budgetary, regulatory, or policy changes that would reduce costs for Virginians. The reports must address cost savings in areas such as housing, healthcare, energy, education, childcare, and everyday living expenses (groceries), where relevant to the agency or secretariat.
02. Interagency Health Financing Task Force
Establishes the cross-agency Interagency Health Financing Task Force within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to develop a unified financing strategy for all state agencies within that secretariat to maximize federal funding, reduce duplicative spending, and strengthen Virginia’s long-term healthcare infrastructure.
The task force is charged with identifying initiatives and services most at risk for losing funds — especially as a result of federal policies, directing an inventory and review of financing processes, and directing a review of managed care organization performance and oversight with a focus on outcomes and efficiency of spending. The executive order also directs the task force to work with the Chief Transformation Office and the Secretary of Administration to review systems used across agencies to avoid duplication in technology platforms, licensing, and procurement.
03. Housing Development Regulation Review
Directs a comprehensive, multi-agency review of regulations and permitting practices that affect housing development, with the goals of eliminating unnecessary requirements, streamlining approvals, and reducing barriers to housing production.
The executive order also establishes a Commission on Unlocking Housing Production that will advise the Governor on strategies to increase housing supply.
The commission in consultation with several agencies shall recommend legislative, regulatory, and administrative changes to increase housing supply in the Commonwealth.
04. High-Quality Public Education Directive
Commits the Commonwealth to academic excellence by directing the Department of Education to strengthen core instructional systems in literacy, mathematics, school accountability, and assessment.
The executive order establishes expert workgroups to improve implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act and accelerates efforts to expand access to advanced mathematics instruction. The executive order directs the Virginia Department of Education to review the School Performance and Support Framework and implement recommendations for improvement from the 2025 JLARC report, and continued development of an innovative, next-generation assessment system that better serves students, educators, and families.
The executive order also affirms the rights and protections of students, parents, and teachers by emphasizing inclusive, high-quality educational experiences for all learners, regardless of background.
The executive order directs state leaders to support local school divisions through clear guidance, actionable data, technical assistance, and policies that promote accessibility, prevent discrimination, close opportunity gaps, and support student well-being.
The executive order directs the Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to conduct a Commonwealth-wide listening tour to hear directly from students, parents, educators, superintendents, and school leaders about the challenges and successes in the classroom.
05. Federal Impacts Assessment
Establishes the Economic Resiliency Task Force to coordinate a statewide response to federal workforce reductions, funding cuts, tariffs, and immigration impacts, including an assessment of federal funding losses or projected losses and recommendations for potential mitigation measures.
Message to the Congress Designating Greenland as a Beneficiary Developing Country Under the Generalized System of Preferences
May 19, 1987
To the Congress of the United States:
This is to inform you of my intent to add Greenland to the list of beneficiary developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
On behalf of Greenland, the Government of Denmark has requested that GSP benefits be extended to Greenland. Prior to February 1985, Greenland was part of the European Community (EC) and thus not eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program. However, on February 1, 1985, Greenland was granted home rule'' by Denmark and now has the status of anOverseas Country and Territory'' of the EC. Subsequently, Greenland is no longer in a customs union with the EC and is eligible for GSP treatment. We have carefully examined this request with respect to the criteria identified in sections 501 and 502(b) and (c) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. In light of these ...
