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 Press Release

Press Release – VA Model Regulatory Reform

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

The Virginia Institute of Public Policy released a report highlighting the success of the Virginia Model in reducing regulatory burdens. The model has saved Virginians $1.2 billion annually by streamlining regulations rather than focusing solely on staffing cuts. This initiative, which started under Governor Northam and continued under Governor Youngkin, has reduced the state’s regulatory burden by over 21% since 2022, aiming for a 25% reduction by the end of Youngkin’s term.

Key Points:

  • Significant Cost Savings: Virginia’s regulatory reforms have led to $1.2 billion in annual savings.
  • Reduction in Red Tape: The state has already cut 21% of its regulations, with a goal of reaching 25%.
  • Faster Processing Times:
    • Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR): License processing times reduced from 33 days to 5 days.
    • Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Permit processing times cut by 70%.
  • Streamlining Large Regulations: The Stormwater Management Handbook was reduced from 11,600 pages to 1,800, saving $124 million annually.
  • Bipartisan Progress: Despite divided government control, the Virginia Model shows that bipartisan cooperation on regulatory reform is possible.
  • DOGE and the Debate on Efficiency: The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has highlighted different approaches to efficiency, questioning whether to focus on cutting funding, staffing, or regulations.

The report suggests that Virginia’s approach is a model for other states, demonstrating how targeted deregulation can improve efficiency and reduce costs without sacrificing public safety.

VIPP Press Release – The Virginia ModelDownload

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Press Release – Education Polling

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

A new Virginia poll conducted by Cygnal on behalf of 50CAN reveals strong public support for parental choice in education, despite concerns that the state’s education system is “on the wrong track.”

Key findings:

  • Virginia’s Direction: While most believe the state is headed in the right direction, education remains a concern.
  • Virginia Opportunity Scholarship: Governor Youngkin’s proposed program has 57% support (net +29), with particularly strong approval from Black (+36) and Hispanic (+55) voters.
  • School Choice Support: 75% of respondents favor allowing families to choose schools outside of their assigned zones.
  • Reform vs. Funding: 61% prefer system reform over increased funding (28%).
  • Election Implications: 42% of voters statewide believe education is on the wrong track, rising to 55% in swing districts, suggesting education could be a key issue in the 2025 elections.

Virginia Institute for Public Policy’s Lindsey Zea emphasizes that parents want a greater say in their children’s education, regardless of income, location, or ethnicity. With upcoming legislative decisions and elections, policymakers may need to address these concerns.

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VIPP Press Release HB2094 Artificial Intelligence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01-29-2025

Virginia Bill Could Cripple AI Innovation, Putting U.S. Behind China, Warns VIPP

LEXINGTON, VA ­­­— Today, the Virginia Institute for Public Policy is warning that Virginia’s once-thriving tech industry could be reduced to a shadow of its former self if House Bill HB2094, a well-intentioned but deeply flawed piece of legislation, becomes law. The bill aims to prevent “algorithmic discrimination[1]” but if adopted, Virginia’s ability to compete in the rapidly evolving AI sector would be crippled by excessive compliance burdens, legal ambiguities, and astronomical costs.

Caleb Taylor, Director of Policy at the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, said “If HB2094 is passed, small businesses could see compliance costs between $10,000 and $500,000 annually. Large corporations may face costs exceeding $10 million. Whilst states like Indiana, Tennessee, and Minnesota are actively courting AI investments with business-friendly policies, Virginia must not throttle our own businesses in a vital, growing sector.”

The bill covers so-called “high-risk artificial intelligence systems” impacting critical areas like employment, housing, healthcare, and education. The United States faces fierce competition, particularly from China, which has already unveiled AI models like DeepSeek R1. We cannot afford to become less productive.

Caleb Taylor added “Discrimination in these areas is already illegal under state and federal laws. As written, HB2094 will add completely unnecessary compliance expenses.”

The impact goes beyond AI development. The data center industry — a cornerstone of Virginia’s economy — could also face devastating consequences. Data centers contribute 74,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in labor income, and $9.1 billion in GDP annually to Virginia, according to a 2024 JLARC study[2]. If Virginia continues down this regulatory path, we risk losing AI innovators and the critical infrastructure that supports them.

Let’s not stifle innovation or push businesses out of the Commonwealth. Instead, we should position Virginia as a leader in ethical, competitive AI development—one that balances progress with responsibility.

If we impose these burdens now, we may lose our standing in the AI revolution before it even begins. Virginia must reject HB2094 and pursue a path that fosters growth, protects fairness, and secures a bright future in the global AI race.

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1 – For further information, contact Caleb Taylor at [email protected]. 2 – HB2094 can be found at https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2094/text/HB2094H1

[1] Algorithmic discrimination occurs when AI systems produce discriminatory outcomes based on protected characteristics including race, gender, age, or disability.

[2] https://virginia.app.box.com/s/3urcj9bn8k26vz47if9wkcu7luipfykt

VIPP Press Release HB2094 Artificial IntelligenceDownload
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Press Release – Privacy Bill SB769

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

SB769 would make Virginia’s cookies law arguably the most restrictive in the world, even more so than California and the European Union. Nobody has calculated the true economic cost to small businesses, or the workload it would place on the Attorney General’s office. It’s a pro-privacy bill that would make your data less private, and could lead to Virginians being unable to access websites hosted in other states.

VIPP Press Release Cookies for webDownload
Press Release: Safeguarding Virginia’s Future

Virginia Conservative Leaders Coalition Announces Its Veto Recommendations
A package of veto recommendations to safeguard Virginia’s future was delivered to Governor Glenn Youngkin from the Virginia Conservative Leaders Coalition.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The package of bills, passed by the Democrat controlled House and Senate, is made up of legislation that is detrimental to election integrity, the education of our children, traditional family values and the economic freedom of Virginians.

In an effort to rush some bills to the Governor’s desk ahead of the 30 day veto period, thereby providing only a 7 window for the Governor to take action, Democrats appeared to make a pronouncement about the importance of those bills in their press conference on Monday. Regardless of the tactics and efforts at political gamesmanship, there are numerous bills that are bad for Virginians and are worthy of a strong veto by the Governor.

“Collaboration with our partner organizations provides supporters across Virginia with the information they need to understand what the General Assembly is doing that will impact their lives,” said Lynn Taylor, President of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, Middle Resolution President Craig DiSesa and Derrick Max, President of the Thomas Jefferson Institute agreed. “It is important that the citizens of our Commonwealth are able to form opinions on a myriad of important issues and support our joint efforts to impact legislation that is headed to the Governor.”

Deb Giffin, speaking on behalf of the Virginia Tea Party Federation, added “it is vital that the Governor hear our collective voices on the core issues that matter most to Virginians and affect our daily lives.” Finally, Victoria Cobb, President of The Family Foundation, stated “We are stronger when we work together on behalf of the tens of thousands of Virginians who understand the power of the pen during this critical veto period. We believe that Governor Youngkin will demonstrate strong leadership in this important moment.”

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The Virginia Conservative Leadership Coalition is made up of Virginia-based organizations dedicated to public policy that support and advocate for the fundamental precepts of a free, civil society: individual freedom, economic opportunity, traditional family values and strong stances on the inherent safeguards needed for a constitutional democracy. The coalition is composed of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, the Thomas Jefferson Institute, Middle Resolution PAC, Virginia Tea Party Federation, and The Family Foundation.

Media inquiries may be sent to: [email protected]

Click here to download the .pdf