Welcome to the home of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy on virginiainstitute.org!

Welcome to the home of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy on virginiainstitute.org!

Category Regulatory Reform

Press Release – Coalition Applauds Executive Order 53

Summary

Virginia Fair Elections (VFE), a coalition committed to ensuring transparent and secure elections in Virginia, has publicly praised Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 53, issued on September 12, 2025. This executive order aims to enhance election integrity by modernizing voter list maintenance and strengthening election administration processes across the Commonwealth. VFE Chair Lynn Taylor emphasized that the order is a pivotal step in guaranteeing that only eligible voters remain on the voter rolls and are allowed to participate in elections. The order mandates collaboration between the Virginia Department of Elections and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Election Assistance Commission to adopt updated federal guidelines while maintaining Virginia’s stringent voter eligibility standards. Key provisions include utilizing the DHS SAVE data aggregator to verify citizenship status, conducting statewide election preparedness exercises, and reinforcing existing security measures like paper ballots and offline voting machines. VFE advocates for additional reforms to verify voter eligibility at the point of registration to complement the retroactive removal of ineligible voters. These comprehensive measures aim to bolster public trust in the electoral process ahead of Virginia’s November general elections, which include statewide offices and House of Delegates races, with early voting beginning September 19th.

NOTE
You can review the full press release below, with options to download and share to your socials. Additionally you can also find a link to the full Executive Order below.

VFE Press Release – Executive Order 53Download
Download The .PDF
Read the full Executive Order

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Press Release – VIPP Champions AI Moratorium, Invokes Commerce Clause

Summary

The Virginia Institute for Public Policy has issued a strong endorsement for a proposed 10-year moratorium on state-level Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulations, urging Congress to invoke its Commerce Clause authority to pre-empt fragmented state laws with a unified federal approach. While the Institute values state governance for most issues, it argues that AI’s unique nature—crossing state borders, impacting interstate commerce, national security, and global markets—necessitates a national regulatory framework. The current trend of individual states attempting to regulate AI could create a chaotic, inconsistent legal landscape that stifles innovation, burdens small businesses, and weakens the United States’ competitive position globally, especially against countries like China that are rapidly advancing in AI technology. Caleb Taylor, the Institute’s Director of Policy, compares the situation to the early internet era, warning that premature, inconsistent regulations could hinder AI development much like overly restrictive state regulations could have hampered the internet’s growth. A moratorium would allow Congress the necessary time to evaluate AI’s impact comprehensively, consult with stakeholders, and create forward-thinking policies that protect innovation and economic prosperity. The Institute calls on Virginia’s congressional delegation to take leadership in passing this moratorium, echoing Governor Youngkin’s stance that government regulation should enable, not stifle, AI innovation. The Institute emphasizes the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology and the complexity involved, arguing that only Congress can effectively address these challenges without legislative overreach.

VIPP Press Release AI moratoriumDownload
high-angle photography of group of people sitting at chairs
Press Release – Opening Doors for Virginians

Please feel free to view the summary for a short concise recap, or view the full document below in the .pdf viewer below! Download links are included for your convenience if you wish to view it in your own preferred document viewer.

Summary

Summary

On March 31, 2025, the Virginia Institute for Public Policy applauded Governor Glenn Youngkin’s signing of SB1014, a pivotal reform aimed at enhancing job opportunities for Virginians. This law represents a significant shift in how public sector jobs are approached, favoring practical experience over formal educational qualifications. Crafted by Caleb Taylor, the Institute’s Director of Policy, SB1014 was a collaborative effort backed by organizations such as Americans For Prosperity (AFP-VA) and the Reform Alliance, achieving unanimous support in the Virginia General Assembly.

The legislation’s goal is to democratize job access by eliminating unnecessary degree requirements for state positions. As a result, individuals with hands-on experience, such as mechanics or self-taught IT professionals, can now qualify for state jobs without the burden of obtaining expensive degrees. This reform is presented as a model of bipartisan cooperation, showing how both Democrats and Republicans can work together to enhance economic mobility.

Caleb Taylor from the Virginia Institute highlighted that SB1014 is more than a law; it serves as a lifeline for individuals whose skills far exceed what is traditionally recognized on their resumes. The initiative resonates with previous efforts from Governor Youngkin, which have already streamlined degree requirements for nearly 90% of state jobs. Overall, SB1014 is a forward-thinking policy that promotes a diverse workforce and mirrors the strengths of Virginia’s population.

Highlights

  •  Ongoing Workforce Initiatives: This law builds on previous workforce reforms that have already removed degree requirements for most state jobs.
  •  Bipartisan Support: SB1014 passed unanimously in the Virginia General Assembly, showcasing rare cooperation between political parties.
  •  Skill Over Degrees: The law emphasizes practical skills for state jobs, making roles accessible to individuals without formal degrees.
  •  Empowering Virginians: The legislation allows skilled workers, like mechanics and IT professionals, to secure government roles based on their practical experience.
  •  Economic Accessibility: By removing costly degree requirements, SB1014 lowers barriers for capable workers, enhancing workforce participation.
  •  Reflecting Diversity: The reform aims to build a workforce that mirrors Virginia’s diverse capabilities, contributing positively to the state’s economy.
  •  Lifeline for Job Seekers: SB1014 provides opportunities for individuals whose skills are often ignored due to outdated hiring practices.
VIPP Press Release SB1014 (1)Download

Policy Primer: Regulatory Reform (2023)

The cost of regulation between 1980 and today is estimated to be more than $5 trillion representing a 25% shortfall in would-be economic growth. This number is exceedingly difficult for most people to visualize, so this simple mental exercise can be beneficial in communicating just how much has been lost:

Five million seconds is about 58 days;

Five trillion seconds is 158,440 years.

As anyone can see, this loss of real value to our economy is not insignificant. In response, the Virginia Institute for Public Policy’s regulatory reform initiative proposes the implementation of a Regulatory Budget Program coupled with establishing a Universal Regulatory Sandbox. These measures aim to promote economic growth, innovation, and regulatory efficiency by limiting or eliminating the continued inflation of regulatory requirements while providing an environment where compliance burdens are temporarily removed to enhance and promote experimentation and development of new products, services, and business methodologies in the Commonwealth.

VIPP Policy Primer: Regulatory Reform (2023)

Click HERE to view or download.

Introducing Regulatory Sandboxes

This year, the Virginia Institute has successfully introduced an innovative policy called Regulatory Sandboxes to the public policy and legislative community in Virginia. A Regulatory Sandbox creates a space and time for innovators to offer new goods and services to consumers without the initial burden of some regulations. Sandboxes provide opportunities for new and old businesses to test fresh ideas in the market while simultaneously providing a constant stream of pilot programs and data for regulators to determine what regulations work with the least possible burden on the community.