Gov. Bob McDonnell announced a regulatory reform initiative calling for regulatory agencies to examine their policies, remove unnecessary rules and streamline regulations, according to a statement from the Governor’s Office released Monday.
The initiative aims to make it easier for businesses to comply with and understand state regulations, said Jeff Palmore, director of policy development and deputy counselor to the governor. The initiative has been in development for a few years and will continue through the end of McDonnell’s term, Palmore said.
Every executive branch agency will be asked to look at its regulatory policies, Palmore said.
“Some agencies don’t have regulatory authority,” he said. “Some, like universities, have a handful, [such as] parking appeal or whether they allow firearms or not, [and] some have broad regulations.”
The process aims to remove unnecessary transportation rules, consolidate environmental regulations and remove regulations that conflict with each other or are outdated and antiquated.
Palmore said the public can send in regulation-related suggestions online.
When McDonnell served as Virginia attorney general from 2006 to 2009, he had a task force that examined ways to make regulations “less burdensome on citizens and businesses,” Palmore said. Now as governor he wants to take up the issue again with fewer limitations to his power, Palmore added.
The task force during McDonnell’s time as attorney general made 300 recommendations to reduce unnecessary regulations, according to the press release.
McDonnell is seeking public comment about the initiative.
Read More
From the archives: Nov. 25 – Dec. 1
By Emma Todd and Grace Franklin | 17 hours agoThe day before Thanksgiving in 1981, the University was gifted with its first snow of the year!
Student Council hears from Director of Diversity Education, talks parking fines
By Vyshnavi Tatta | YesterdayLaw Rep. Kasey Michaud introduced a bill encouraging students to donate food to local pantries by offering reductions in parking fees as an incentive.
10 years later — student journalists discuss retracted “Rolling Stone” article
By Merrill Hart | YesterdayThe graphic narrative ignited protests both on Grounds and at a national level.
