SUMMARY: A new chapter for Virginia was opened on Saturday with the inauguration of its 74th governor, the first Republican in a decade. Glenn Youngkin pledged to restore power to the people and trust in government when he raised his right hand in Richmond. “No matter who you voted for, I pledge to be your advocate, your voice, your governor,” said the former private equity executive and Christian leader. He started his first day in office delivering on promises he made on the campaign trail.
He enters the position at a point where Virginians are grabbling with increased cases of the Coronavirus and clashes on teaching CRT in school curriculum -- issues he answered in a day one executive order. Youngkin took action in 11 areas. One executive order bans the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in public schools, referring to it as a "divisive concept." Gov. Youngkin also reversed mask wearing guidance in schools giving parents the choice on the matter. He does support keeping children in school during the pandemic, however. While Youngkin encourages vaccinations, in a third action he eliminated the vaccine requirement for state workers, despite the fact that over 15,000 Virginians have died from the Coronavirus. Many of the razor-sharp rule changes he ordered are an assault on the formerly Democrat dominated state house in the Commonwealth that refracts attention away from the leadership of President Joe Biden.
Some politically neutral changes are on the way too. He forecasted that work is already underway to remove the grocery tax and raise teacher and law enforcement pay.
Prior to being sworn in the newcomer met with former Virginia governors and outgoing Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam at the Capitol. Youngkin’s opponent in last year’s election, Terry McAuliffe, was absent. McAuliffe tweeted that he and his wife were “quarantining due to a close COVID contact in the interest of health and safety” but wished Youngkin well.
Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears also were sworn in during the outdoor ceremony. Both history makers, Miyares is first Latino to serve in the position and Earle-Sears is the first Black woman to serve in a statewide office.
Virginians also elected a GOP majority to the House of Delegates, leaving the Democrats with just a narrow 21-19 majority in the state Senate as a check on Republican ambitions. Earle-Sears will preside over that chamber, with the ability to cast tie-breaking votes (AP).
Governor Glenn Youngkin Signs 11 Day One Executive Actions
RICHMOND— Governor Glenn Youngkin today signed nine Executive Orders and two Executive Directives at the Virginia State Capitol, acting on several of his Day One promises to Virginians. The actions include an executive order ending the use of inherently divisive concepts – including Critical Race Theory – in public education, an executive order affirming the rights of parents to make decisions on masks in schools, and an executive order terminating the Virginia Parole Board and requesting the Attorney General begin a full investigation of the Board’s actions.
“It’s Day One, and we are going to work just like we promised,” said Governor Youngkin. “The important steps we are taking today begins the work of restoring excellence in education, making our communities safer, opening Virginia for business and reinvigorating job growth, and making government work for the people, and not the other way around. My Day One Game Plan also includes 59 pieces of legislation and a package of more than a dozen budget amendments I am working on with General Assembly leaders, including our efforts to double the standard deduction, eliminate the grocery tax, and end the tax on the first $40,000 in veteran retirement pay. It’s a new day in Virginia, but the work is only beginning.”
Executive Orders:
Executive Order Number One delivers on his Day One promise to restore excellence in education by ending the use of divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory, in public education. Read the full text of Executive Order Number One.
Executive Order Number Two delivers on his Day One promise to empower Virginia parents in their children’s education and upbringing by allowing parents to make decisions on whether their child wears a mask in school. Read the full text of Executive Order Number Two.
Executive Order Number Three delivers on his Day One promise to restore integrity and confidence in the Parole Board of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Read the full text of Executive Order Number Three.
Executive Order Number Four delivers on his Day One promise to investigate wrongdoing in Loudoun County. Read the full text of Executive Order Number Four.
Executive Order Number Five delivers on his Day One promise to make government work for Virginians by creating the Commonwealth Chief Transformation Officer. Read the full text of Executive Order Number Five.
Executive Order Number Six delivers on his Day One promise to declare Virginia open for business. Read the full text of Executive Order Number Six.
Executive Order Number Seven delivers on his Day One promise to combat and prevent human trafficking and provide support to survivors. Read the full text of Executive Order Number Seven.
Executive Order Number Eight delivers on his Day One promise to establish a commission to combat antisemitism. Read the full text of Executive Order Number Eight.
Executive Order Number Nine delivers on his Day One promise to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Read the full text of Executive Order Number Nine.
Executive Directives:
Executive Directive Number One delivers on his fulfilling his Day One promise to jumpstart our economy by cutting job killing regulations by 25 percent. Read the full text of Executive Directive Number One.
Executive Directive Number Two delivers on his fulfilling his Day One promise to restore individual freedoms and personal privacy by rescinding the vaccine mandate for all state employees. Read the full text of Executive Directive Number Two.