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2019 Virginia Legislative Competitiveness Agenda

Industry's Advocate since 1922™

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Sources: VMA, VA MFG Competitiveness Index, 2018; VA Industrial Innovation Strategy, 2015

Workforce: Close Skills and Career Planning Gaps by 2020Expand STEM/Industry Credential Attainment & Fully Fund the Workforce Credential Grant (+$9 Million); Create CTE Standards of Achievement for K-12 Accreditation; Re-imagine K-14 CTE “Shop/Labs” through VR/AR/Simulation Technology; Incentivize Regional K-14 Adjunct Faculty; Expand K-12 Workplace Readiness Skills (WRS) Attainment; Expand Career Readiness Certification (K - “Gray”); Expand K-12 Dual-Enrollment; Create a Workforce Development System Supply-Demand-Performance Dashboard; Increase Experiential Learning Opportunities for Students; Enhance K-12 Career Exploration; Create a K8+ Cloud-Based Academic & Career Planning e-Passport; Eliminate the K-12 Standard Diploma Stigma; and Eliminate CTE Instructor Shortages.

Business Climate: Stop Taxing TechnologyCreate an Affordable State Appeals Process and Assess MFG Equipment by Fair Market Value; Clarify the "Original Cost" Definition Associated with MFG Machinery and Tools Taxation; Lower the Effective Tax Rate on Manufacturers; Incentivize MFG Capital Investments; Eliminate the Machinery & Tools Tax with New Internet Sales Tax Revenue; Encourage Manufacturing R&D; and Require Dynamic Forecasting for all Taxation Legislation.

Business Climate: Maintain Regulatory Balance

Improve Recycling for Beneficial Use; Improve State and Local Government Permit Efficiency; Create DEQ Voluntary Compliance Unit; Assure that Virginia Regulates the Energy, Environment, Health and Safety of its Citizens; Incentivize Long-term Nutrient Allocation/Trading; Protect MFG Water Rights; Provide for Freshwater Ammonia Water Quality Regulation Compliance Flexibility; and Balance Regulatory Excellence with Economic Competitiveness/Sustainability.

Economic Strength: Expand MFG Exports 50% by 2025 and Restructure Economic DevelopmentFund the VA International Trade Corporation to Assist Virginia Businesses Expand Exports; Expand the Virginia International Trade Alliance (VITAL); Increase Trade Program Funding at VEDP; Align, Rationalize and Coordinate Federal, State, Regional and Local Development Programs; Align Incentives with Existing Business Needs; Improve Venture Capital Funding; and Expand Small Business Formation.

Infrastructure: Invest in & Protect Productive Infrastructure Improve Interstate, Port and Air Freight Capacity & Efficiency; Upgrade Rural & K-14 Facilities’ Broadband Speed; Upgrade Wastewater Treatment & Stormwater Infrastructure; Protect Designated Facilities from Non-Commercial UAV/Drone Trespass; and Improve I-81 Safety and Capacity w/o Truck Tolls.

Infrastructure: Keep Energy Costs Affordable & Reliable Maintain Competitive Electricity & Natural Gas Rates with Reliable Infrastructure as Compared to Southern States; Invest in Reasonable & Prudent Grid Modernization and Renewable Energy Capital Projects; Reject Electricity Rate Increases Created by Carbon Cap & Trade Regulation/RGGI; Reject RPS Mandates; Maintain a Diverse Energy Mix Including Cost-Effective Renewables; Incentivize Energy Conservation & Efficiency; Incentivize CHP; SCC Regulate Municipal Utilities; and Maintain Electric Utility Rate Reviews Every 3 Years.