GOVERNORVol. 31 Iss. 2 - September 22, 2014
GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 25 (2014)
Establishing the Governor's Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Violence
Importance of the Taskforce
Nationwide, colleges and universities are increasingly aware of the necessity to combat sexual violence on campus. While institutions of higher education are typically safe environments for students to thrive, both academically and personally, sexual violence is an issue that colleges and universities should confront and strive to prevent.
Virginia's colleges and universities have signed a Joint Declaration pledging to work together to prevent sexual violence. Moreover, they are each committed to providing an atmosphere designed to promote the fair and equitable investigation, adjudication, and timely reporting of sexual violence. Our institutions of higher learning already offer both mandatory and voluntary programs for awareness and prevention of sexual violence. For those adversely affected by sexual violence, Virginia's campuses also furnish resources, or coordinate referral to external, community-based resources, such as counseling, medical care, and alternative living and educational environments.
Through this Executive Order, I am collaborating with the Attorney General of Virginia, who has a critical role as counsel to Virginia's public colleges and universities, and encouraging leaders from college campuses, law enforcement, mental health, and advocacy groups, to seek and recommend solutions that will bring critical awareness and identify best practices to aggressively combat sexual violence on campus.
Establishment of the Task Force
Accordingly, with the authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to §§ 2.2-134 and 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, and subject to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby create the Governor's Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Violence.
Governor's Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Violence
The Task Force's responsibilities shall include the following:
• Recommend best practices for protocols used by campus officials, including campus police, Title IX Coordinators, and others, to respond to sexual violence on campus.
• Recommend best practice to reinforce existing relationships and form new relationships between Virginia's institutions of higher education, campus police, local law enforcement, commonwealth's attorneys, crisis response centers, mental health counselors, and advocacy organizations, to include the development of a model memorandum of understanding that will delineate respective responsibilities for investigations, sharing of information, and training.
• Recommend best practices for policies governing sexual violence and associated procedures for the investigation and resolution of complaints, and revise such policies and procedures, if needed, to meet all legal requirements.
• Examine sexual violence prevention and awareness programs and recommend measures to maximize best practices for sexual violence training for students, faculty, and staff, as well as bystander intervention programs and mandatory training for incoming residential students, at all of Virginia's universities and colleges.
• Recommend measures to encourage reporting of sexual violence.
• Assess the degree of accessibility of campus services and programs, coordination with community resources and programs, and efforts to make students aware of these resources.
Task Force Membership
The Task Force will be chaired by the Attorney General of Virginia. The Task Force will be comprised of the Secretaries of Education, Health and Human Resources, Public Safety and Homeland Security, representatives of the higher education community, law enforcement, community advocates, health professionals, and relevant government agencies, not to exceed more than thirty members, as appointed by the Governor. The Governor may appoint any other person(s) and support staff deemed necessary and proper to carry out the assigned functions.
Task Force Staffing and Funding
Staff support for the Task Force's work during its existence shall be furnished by the Office of the Governor, and the Offices of the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, as well as other agencies and offices designated by the Governor.
The Office of the Attorney General will provide legal staff to the Task Force, both through the OAG representatives serving on the Task Force and others, as needed.
Necessary funding to support the Commission and its staff shall be provided from federal funds, private contributions, and state funds appropriated for the same purposes as the Task Force, as authorized by § 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, as well as any other private sources of funding that may be identified. Estimated direct costs for this Task Force are $5,000 per year.
The Task Force will serve in an advisory role and will provide a final report to the Governor by no later than June 1, 2015. The Task Force will issue other reports as necessary or as requested by the Governor.
Effective Date of the Executive Order
This Executive Order shall be effective upon signing and, pursuant to §§ 2.2-134 and 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, shall remain in force and effect for one year from its signing unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.
Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 21st day of August, 2014.
/s/ Terence R. McAuliffe
Governor
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26 (2014)
Establishing the New Virginia Economy Strategic Plan and Steering Committee
Importance of the Taskforce
The Commonwealth of Virginia features vast natural and human resources that serve as the foundation of our economic strength. Our unparalleled educational system, highly educated workforce, competitive business climate, central mid-Atlantic location, and premium infrastructure have afforded Virginia years of recognition as a preeminent state for business and job growth.
Virginia is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in various high-growth industries with high-wage employment, including healthcare, bio sciences, cyber security, and energy. According to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Commonwealth ranks among the nation's best knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, IT-driven, and innovation-based economies. Moreover, Virginia has one of the largest higher educational systems and among the most educated populations in the nation.
Virginia is an international gateway to move people and products quickly and efficiently, with fourteen commercial airports, including Dulles International. We offer the third largest state-maintained transportation network with six major interstates, an extensive railroad system, and a technologically-advanced port, capable of handling Post Panamax vessels. With agriculture as our largest industry, the Commonwealth will use these assets as we seek to increase agriculture and forestry shipments worldwide and to become the East Coast capital for agricultural exports.
While Virginia enjoys inherent advantages and assets, we are facing unique economic headwinds. Recent federal budget cuts, reductions in defense spending, and the impact of sequestration have presented pressing challenges for Virginia's economy. In this season of federal contraction, we must balance public and private sector enterprise for fiscal resilience. This vital imperative can be achieved by enhancing our fundamentals and addressing our challenges as an opportunity. By recalibrating our fiscal pathway and focusing our efforts on diversified, sustainable, and prospering industry sectors, the Commonwealth will excel in the global marketplace strengthened by a New Virginia Economy.
Establishment of the Steering Committee
By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia, and Section 2.2-205 of the Code of Virginia, I hereby establish the Governor's New Virginia Economy Steering Committee (Steering Committee). The purpose of this Steering Committee is to create a four-year strategic plan for economic development, in collaboration with the business community, local and state officials, and economic development professionals.
The Commonwealth must attract new jobs and investment, and cultivate the next generation of job creators and entrepreneurs. My administration's four-year strategic plan will focus on: 1) enhancing our infrastructure, 2) diversifying and growing our strategic industry sectors, 3) solidifying and promoting our competitive business climate, 4) nurturing a sustainable entrepreneurial environment, and 5) equipping Virginia's workforce with in-demand skill sets to meet current and future business needs. The plan will also recommend specific executive and legislative actions to achieve these goals.
Composition of the Steering Committee
The Secretary of Commerce and Trade will chair the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will be composed of the Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Finance, and Veterans and Defense Affairs, as well as the Secretaries of Administration, Education, Health and Human Resources, Natural Resources, Technology, and Transportation, as specified in Section 2.2-205 B of the Code of Virginia. The Steering Committee will engage representatives of relevant state agencies, local and regional economic development organizations and chambers of commerce, leaders in sectors significant to Virginia's economy, and other organizations or individuals as designated by the Governor.
Strategic Plan Priorities:
The four-year strategic plan will address five economic development priorities:
1. "Project Ready" Infrastructure – Virginia must ensure that our infrastructure assets and resources, such as healthcare, energy, housing, and broadband are ready to attract small, medium, and large scale projects throughout the Commonwealth and advance our competitive position locally, regionally, and globally.
2. Diversified High-Growth Industries – Virginia must devote vital resources to strengthen thriving industries, while diversifying targeted high-growth industry sectors and expanding trading partnerships.
3. Preeminent Business Climate – Virginia must ensure that tax, regulatory, and incentive policies sustain Virginia's position as the best state to start, grow, and locate a business.
4. Innovation and Entrepreneurs – Virginia must pursue policies and public-private partnerships that attract talent, promote business and social entrepreneurship, business development and investment, and encourage the creation and commercialization of new products and services.
5. "Skills to Jobs" Workforce – Virginia must align higher education system priorities and resources to supply in-demand workers, transition veterans, and meet current and future employer needs, in the private and public sectors.
Staffing
Staff support for the Steering Committee will be provided by the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the various secretariats and their agencies represented on the Steering Committee, and other agencies as may be designated by the Governor. All executive branch agencies will cooperate fully with the Steering Committee and will render such assistance as may be requested by the Chair. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade will ensure coordination between the development of the New Virginia Economy Strategic Plan and the Workforce Initiative.
The Steering Committee will provide a report to the Governor by no later than December 1, 2014, setting forth the Commonwealth's proposed economic development strategic plan. The Steering Committee shall report annually to the Governor by no later than December 1 on progress toward achieving the goals established in the strategic plan.
Effective Date of the Executive Order
This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order.
Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 27th day of August 2014.
/s/ Terence R. McAuliffe
Governor
