A New Economy for a New Dominion

Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have helped Virginia lay the groundwork for a brighter economic future.  But we are in tough times today, with thousands of Virginians suffering from the recession.  It is darkest before the dawn; these economic times can also lead to innovation, rebuilding, and recovery.

The recent federal stimulus package, passed with the support of Virginia’s entire Congressional delegation, can provide resources to create new jobs.   As Lieutenant Governor, Mike Signer will realize the full potential of this office by serving as a public advocate for working Virginians and their families.  He will fight to make sure federal funds go to job growth and economic development; work with other elected officials and government agencies to promote growth; work with labor to make sure new jobs are good jobs for Virginia’s workers and their families; and use the bully pulpit of the office to expose problems we’ve ignored for too long and come up with the best solutions for Virginia’s economic future.  

With this dynamic, creative approach to the office of Lieutenant Governor, Mike will fight to create at least 50,000 new jobs in Virginia by 2011 in the following seven sectors:  

1.    Generate Infrastructure Jobs (20,000 new jobs by 2011)

Infrastructure improvement projects can generate at least 20,000 jobs in the Commonwealth during the next two years.  And in the long run, enhanced infrastructure will also attract businesses to Virginia, increase jobs in many other sectors, and improve our safety, as revealed by the tragic 2007 bridge collapse in Minneapolis.  

As Lieutenant Governor, Mike will create a “Jobs Now” Task Force made up of Virginia’s leading business leaders, labor leaders, economists and legislators.  Under his leadership, this group will use their talents and love of Virginia to help turn the following new Federal stimulus dollars which the Commonwealth is to receive into new Virginia jobs: 

• $694.5 million for highways funds to rebuild and expand roads and bridges;  
• $116.1 million earmarked for improved mass transit; and  
• $102.3 million for water infrastructure rehabilitation, improving drinking water, and protecting rivers, lakes and streams. 

Mike will use the bully pulpit, the visibility of the office of Lieutenant Governor, and the capabilities of the Task Force to work to bring even more federal funds to Virginia, and he will work with federal dispensing agencies to ensure that a substantial portion of the overall federal infrastructure funds which are not yet allocated are directed to Virginia.

2.    Expand Energy Efficiency (5,000 new jobs by 2011)

Increasing energy efficiency has become a national priority.   One study found promoting efficient energy would create at least 2,600 more jobs than building the coal power plant proposed for southwest Virginia—and save the average household $52 to $91 per year.   Virginians can also create more jobs through electricity we already buy.  New efficiency standards in California, for example, created 1.5 million jobs and reduced peak energy use by 5%.
 
As Lieutenant Governor, Mike will work to:

•  Launch a “weatherization wave.”  Work to put $148 million in federal funding for weatherization to work immediately, creating thousands of new jobs, making homes and offices more energy efficient, and ensuring that HVAC systems are safe.   
• Establish a “lead by example” approach.  State and local government should lead by example, building new government facilities to high efficiency standards.  This will stimulate the development of energy efficient businesses, create hundreds of new jobs, and lower energy costs for taxpayers.
• Implement new incentives for efficiency.  Work with state agencies and the legislature to enact financial and tax incentives to encourage utilities, homeowners, and businesses to invest in efficiency.

3.    Grow Smart Grid Jobs (5,000 new jobs by 2011)

Our transmission lines have not been redesigned since the age of Thomas Edison.  In the Internet age, Virginia needs a 21st-century electrical system.  Billions of dollars of federal monies have been marked for a “smart grid.”  Virginia ranks among the worst states in this area, with only 0.2% of homes equipped with “smart meters.”   Our inefficient system prevents smaller sources of energy, such as a solar roof or small wind farm, from plugging into the grid.
    
As Lieutenant Governor, Mike will work to:

• Build the grid.  Lead in pushing federal funds to a “Smart Grid” that will generate thousands of new high-skilled jobs in grid design and labor jobs in building and installation.   
• Promote wind and solar.  Advocate for the development of new energy sources, as called for in the Virginia Energy Plan of 2006, including a new $1 billion wind power project off the shore of Virginia Beach that could create 3,000 new jobs.  

4.    Increase Health IT Jobs (5,000 new jobs by 2011)

Electronic medical records are a national health care priority.  The stimulus bill devotes over $19 billion to electronic records nationwide.  As a national leader in computer-system design, internet services, and telecommunications, Virginia is a natural home for the new “health IT” industry, which could create tens of thousands of jobs in coming years.  

As Lieutenant Governor, Mike will work to:

• Set an ambitious goal:  Establish goal of a fully computerized medical system in Virginia by 2014.   
• Support Virginia’s Health IT companies:  Work to direct Virginia’s health IT stimulus funding, including state Medicaid purchasing, toward Virginia providers of electronic records technology.
• Recruit to Virginia: Work with Washington and private employers to draw new health IT businesses to Virginia, encouraging them to open at sites like the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park that offer access to state academic and industry innovators.

5.    Fight for Rural Jobs (5,000 jobs by 2011)

Rural Virginia boasts a strong work force, good schools, natural beauty, strong communities, and quality of life.  Mike believes we can do a better job supporting economic growth in rural areas.

• Expand the tourism portfolio:  An $18.7 billion-a-year industry that attracts 36 million visitors every year, tourism supports 210,000 jobs and generates $1.2 billion in state and local taxes.   However, the tourism budget was reduced by $1 million in 2008.   Mike will push to promote Virginia’s wedding, corporate retreat, and film project industries, generating hundreds of new jobs.
• Rural broadband:  Work with federal and state agencies and corporations to insure $7.2 billion of federal funds allocated to expand broadband actually puts rural communities and business online.  
• “Come Home” Act:  Work with legislature to pass a program reducing student loan repayments for hundreds of young Virginians coming back to their home communities after graduation, paid for in part through increased tax revenues from these workers.
• Accountability for the Tobacco Commission:  Establish a check and balance system for the Virginia Indemnification and Tobacco Commission to increase accountability and insure that all monies are devoted to economic development, education, and jobs training. 

6.    Increase Military Construction Jobs (5,000 jobs by 2011)

Virginia has a proud history of supporting military programs and welcoming servicemen and women.  With over 123,000 military personnel, Virginia is well-positioned to benefit from accelerated spending on military construction.   

As Lieutenant Governor, Mike will work to:

• Kick start construction jobs:  Billions of dollars are already allocated to long-term reconstruction of military housing and offices.  Mike will work with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to accelerate this spending across the Commonwealth.  These dollars will not only create jobs, but also improve living and working conditions for the nation’s military personnel and their families.

7.    Create new Environmental Restoration Jobs (5,000 jobs by 2011)

For young adults just out of high school, community college, and undergraduate programs, good stepping-stone jobs in environmental restoration will promote public service and provide valuable career skills.  

As Lieutenant Governor, Mike will work to:

• Promote a new “Virginia “GreenWorks” program.  Working with available federal funds, nonprofits, universities, and private donors, Mike will help create a new environmental cleanup and restoration program along the lines of the Works Progress Administration after the Great Depression.  Under the program, Virginia will create 5,000 low-wage, short-term jobs for recent college graduates in Virginia’s parks, forests, mountains, bodies of water (including the Chesapeake Bay) and shores.  

Download the full plan with citations (PDF).