GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 8 (2010)

Declaration of a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia Due to a Severe Winter Storm Event throughout the Western and Southwestern Portion of the Commonwealth

On February 26, 2010, I verbally declared a state of emergency to exist for the western and southwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia based on a winter storm with damaging high winds, continuous snow showers and blowing snow that reduced visibility to near zero creating the potential for transportation difficulties and power outages. National Weather Service forecasts total snowfall accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are possible in the higher elevations through Monday morning March 1, 2010.

The health and general welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth require that state action be taken to help alleviate the conditions caused by this situation. The effects of this storm constitute a disaster wherein human life and public and private property are imperiled, as described in § 44-146.16 of the Code of Virginia.

Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia, as Governor and as Director of Emergency Management, and by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article V, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia and by § 44-75.1 of the Code of Virginia, as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Commonwealth, and subject always to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby confirm, ratify, and memorialize in writing my verbal orders issued this date, whereby I proclaim that a state of emergency exists and I direct that appropriate assistance be rendered by agencies of both state and local governments to prepare for potential impacts of the storm, to alleviate any conditions resulting from significant storm events and to implement recovery and mitigation operations and activities so as to return impacted areas to pre-event conditions in so far as possible. Pursuant to § 44-75.1 (A)(3) and (A)(4) of the Code of Virginia, I also directed that the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force be called forth to state duty to be prepared to respond to assist in providing such aid. This shall include Virginia National Guard assistance to the Virginia State Police to direct traffic, prevent looting, and perform such other law enforcement functions as the Superintendent of State Police, in consultation with the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, the Adjutant General, and the Secretary of Public Safety, may find necessary.

In order to marshal all public resources and appropriate preparedness, response and recovery measures to meet this potential threat and recover from its effects, and in accordance with my authority contained in § 44-146.17 of the Emergency Services and Disaster Laws, I hereby order the following protective and restoration measures:

A. The implementation by agencies of the state and local governments of the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan, as amended, along with other appropriate state agency plans.

B. The activation of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) and the Virginia Emergency Response Team (VERT) to coordinate the provision of assistance to local governments. I am directing that the VEOC and VERT coordinate state actions in support of potential affected localities, other mission assignments to agencies designated in the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP) and others that may be identified by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, in consultation with the Secretary of Public Safety, which are needed to provide for the preservation of life, protection of property, and implementation of recovery activities.

C. The authorization to assume control over the Commonwealth's state-operated telecommunications systems, as required by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, in coordination with the Virginia Information Technology Agency, and with the consultation of the Secretary of Public Safety, making all systems assets available for use in providing adequate communications, intelligence and warning capabilities for the event, pursuant to § 44-146.18 of the Code of Virginia.

D. The evacuation of areas threatened or stricken by effects of the storm. Following a declaration of a local emergency pursuant to § 44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia, if a local governing body determines that evacuation is deemed necessary for the preservation of life or other emergency mitigation, response or recovery, pursuant to § 44-146.17(1) of the Code of Virginia, I direct the evacuation of all or part of the populace therein from such areas and upon such timetable as the local governing body, in coordination with the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC), acting on behalf of the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, shall determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I reserve the right to direct and compel evacuation from the same and different areas and determine a different timetable both where local governing bodies have made such a determination and where local governing bodies have not made such a determination. Violations of any order to citizens to evacuate shall constitute a violation of this Executive Order and are punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

E. The activation, implementation and coordination of appropriate mutual aid agreements and compacts, including the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), and the authorization of the State Coordinator of Emergency Management to enter into any other supplemental agreements, pursuant to § 44-146.17(5) and § 44-146.28:1 of the Code of Virginia, to provide for the evacuation and reception of injured and other persons and the exchange of medical, fire, police, National Guard personnel and equipment, public utility, reconnaissance, welfare, transportation and communications personnel, and equipment and supplies. The State Coordinator of Emergency Management is hereby designated as Virginia's authorized representative within the meaning of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, § 44-146.28:1 of the Code of Virginia.

F. The authorization of the Departments of State Police, Transportation and Motor Vehicles to grant temporary overweight, over width, registration, or license exemptions to all carriers transporting essential emergency relief supplies or providing restoration of utilities (electricity, gas, phone, water, wastewater, and cable) in and through any area of the Commonwealth in order to support the disaster response and recovery, regardless of their point of origin or destination.

The axle and gross weights shown below are the maximum allowed, unless otherwise posted.

All overwidth loads, up to a maximum of 12 feet, must follow Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hauling permit and safety guidelines.

In addition to described overweight/overwidth transportation privileges, carriers are also exempt from registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This includes the vehicles enroute and returning to their home base. The above-cited agencies shall communicate this information to all staff responsible for permit issuance and truck legalization enforcement.

This authorization shall apply to hours worked by any carrier when transporting passengers, property, equipment, food, fuel, construction materials and other critical supplies to or from any portion of the Commonwealth for purpose of providing relief or assistance as a result of this disaster, pursuant to § 52-8.4 of the Code of Virginia.

The foregoing overweight/overwidth transportation privileges as well as the regulatory exemption provided by § 52-8.4(A) of the Code of Virginia, and implemented in 19VAC30-20-40 B of the "Motor Carrier Safety Regulations," shall remain in effect for 30 days from the onset of the disaster, or until emergency relief is no longer necessary, as determined by the Secretary of Public Safety in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, whichever is earlier.

G. The discontinuance of provisions authorized in paragraph F above may be implemented and disseminated by publication of administrative notice to all affected and interested parties by the authority I hereby delegate to the Secretary of Public Safety, after consultation with other affected Cabinet-level Secretaries.

H. The authorization of a maximum of $100,000 for matching funds for the Individuals and Household Program, authorized by The Stafford Act (when Presidentially authorized), to be paid from state funds.

I. The implementation by public agencies under my supervision and control of their emergency assignments as directed in the COVEOP without regard to normal procedures pertaining to performance of public work, entering into contracts, incurring of obligations, or other logistical and support measures of the Emergency Services and Disaster Laws, as provided in § 44-146.28(b) of the Code of Virginia. Section 44-146.24 of the Code of Virginia also applies to the disaster activities of state agencies.

J. Upon my approval, the costs incurred by state agencies and other agents in performing mission assignments through the VEOC of the Commonwealth as defined herein and in § 44-146.28 of the Code of Virginia, in performing these missions shall be paid from state funds and/or federal funds. In addition, up to $100,000 shall be made available for state response and recovery operations and incident documentation with the Department of Planning and Budget overseeing the release of these funds.

K. Designation of members and personnel of volunteer, auxiliary and reserve groups including search and rescue (SAR), Virginia Associations of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS), Civil Air Patrol (CAP), member organizations of the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES), volunteer fire fighters, Citizen Corps Programs such as Medical Reserve Corps (MRCs) and Citizen Emergency Response Teams (CERTS), and others identified and tasked by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management for specific disaster related mission assignments as representatives of the Commonwealth engaged in emergency services activities within the meaning of the immunity provisions of § 44-146.23(a) and (f) of the Code of Virginia, in the performance of their specific disaster-related mission assignments.

L. The authorization of appropriate oversight boards, commissions and agencies to ease building code restrictions, and to permit emergency demolition, hazardous waste disposal, debris removal, emergency landfill siting and operations and other activities necessary to address immediate health and safety needs without regard to time-consuming procedures or formalities and without regard to application or permit fees or royalties.

M. The activation of the statutory provisions in § 59.1-525 et seq. of the Code of Virginia related to price gouging. Price gouging at any time is unacceptable. Price gouging is even more reprehensible after a natural disaster. I have directed all applicable executive branch agencies to take immediate action to address any verified reports of price gouging of necessary goods or services. I make the same request of the Office of the Attorney General and appropriate local officials.

N. The following conditions apply to the deployment of the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force:

1. The Adjutant General of Virginia, after consultation with the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, shall make available on state active duty such units and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force and such equipment as may be necessary or desirable to assist in preparations and in alleviating the human suffering and damage to property.

2. Pursuant to § 52-6 of the Code of Virginia, I authorize the Superintendent of State Police to appoint any and all such Virginia Army and Air National Guard personnel called to state active duty as additional police officers as deemed necessary. These police officers shall have the same powers and perform the same duties as the State Police officers appointed by the Superintendent. However, they shall nevertheless remain members of the Virginia National Guard, subject to military command as members of the State Militia. Any bonds and/or insurance required by § 52-7 of the Code of Virginia shall be provided for them at the expense of the Commonwealth.

3. In all instances, members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force shall remain subject to military command as prescribed by § 44-78.1 of the Code of Virginia and not subject to the civilian authorities of county or municipal governments. This shall not be deemed to prohibit working in close cooperation with members of the Virginia Departments of State Police or Emergency Management or local law enforcement or emergency management authorities or receiving guidance from them in the performance of their duties.

4. Should service under this Executive Order result in the injury or death of any member of the Virginia National Guard, the following will be provided to the member and the member's dependents or survivors:

a. Workers' Compensation benefits provided to members of the National Guard by the Virginia Workers Compensation Act, subject to the requirements and limitations thereof; and, in addition,

b. The same benefits, or their equivalent, for injury, disability and/or death, as would be provided by the federal government if the member were serving on federal active duty at the time of the injury or death. Any such federal-type benefits due to a member and his or her dependents or survivors during any calendar month shall be reduced by any payments due under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act during the same month. If and when the time period for payment of Workers' Compensation benefits has elapsed, the member and his or her dependents or survivors shall thereafter receive full federal-type benefits for as long as they would have received such benefits if the member had been serving on federal active duty at the time of injury or death. Any federal-type benefits due shall be computed on the basis of military pay grade E-5 or the member's military grade at the time of injury or death, whichever produces the greater benefit amount. Pursuant to § 44-14 of the Code of Virginia, and subject to the availability of future appropriations which may be lawfully applied to this purpose, I now approve of future expenditures out of appropriations to the Department of Military Affairs for such federal-type benefits as being manifestly for the benefit of the military service.

5. The following conditions apply to service by the Virginia Defense Force:

1. Compensation shall be at a daily rate that is equivalent of base pay only for a National Guard Unit Training Assembly, commensurate with the grade and years of service of the member, not to exceed 20 years of service;

2. Lodging and meals shall be provided by the Adjutant General or reimbursed at standard state per diem rates;

3. All privately owned equipment, including, but not limited to, vehicles, boats, and aircraft, will be reimbursed for expense of fuel. Damage or loss of said equipment will be reimbursed, minus reimbursement from personal insurance, if said equipment was authorized for use by the Adjutant General in accordance with § 44-54.12 of the Code of Virginia; and

4. In the event of death or injury, benefits shall be provided in accordance with the Virginia Workers Compensation Act, subject to the requirements and limitations thereof.

Upon my approval, the costs incurred by state agencies and other agents in performing mission assignments through the VEOC of the Commonwealth as defined herein and in § 44-146.28 of the Code of Virginia, other than costs defined in the paragraphs above pertaining to the Virginia National Guard and the Virginia Defense Force, in performing these missions shall be paid from state funds.

This Executive Order shall be effective February 26, 2010 and shall remain in full force and effect until June 30, 2011 unless sooner amended or rescinded by further executive order. Termination of the Executive Order is not intended to terminate any federal-type benefits granted or to be granted due to injury or death as a result of service under this Executive Order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this first Day of March 2010.

/s/ Robert F. McDonnell

Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 9 (2010)

Establishing the: "Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment"

Importance of the Issue

The current period of economic challenge facing our Commonwealth and Nation comes during an era of rapid technological advancement and intensifying international competition, requiring an increasingly knowledgeable workforce and engaged citizenry. There is a well-documented general correlation between the degree or certificate a person gains and the income he or she earns-between a state's educational attainment and its per capita income. Higher education is among the state programs generating the highest return in terms of job creation, economic growth, and ultimately tax revenues.

With great national universities, a higher education system distinguished by both its quality and diversity, and a vibrant knowledge-based economy, Virginia has a unique opportunity to show the way to a new era of American leadership in advanced education, ground-breaking research, and economic growth. Our country's security, our state's prosperity, and our citizens' opportunity all depend on a sustained commitment to higher education excellence and access.

During the first decade of this century, Virginia's state support for public colleges and universities was cut nearly in half on a per-student, constant-dollar basis. The result was an unprecedented cost shift to students and their families and a potential threat to quality and access. Tuition has nearly doubled in the past decade. Colleges and universities must continue to find ways to reduce operating costs and focus on the disciplines that lead to the high paying jobs of the future. Greater efficiencies and more productivity in the state system must be found.

There is a pressing need for the Commonwealth to establish a long-term policy of reform, innovation and investment that will ensure instructional excellence, create affordable pathways to college degree attainment for many thousands more Virginians, prepare our citizens for employment in the high-income, high-demand fields of the new economy, foster socio-economically important research and development, and ensure affordable access to appropriate post-secondary education, training, and re-training for all Virginians.

Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment

Accordingly, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to § 2.2-134 of the Code of Virginia, and subject always to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby establish the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment ("Commission").

The Commission shall consist of up to 30 members appointed by the Governor and serving at his pleasure. The Governor shall designate a Chairman and one or more Vice-Chairmen from among the members. The Commission shall include the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Technology, the Secretary of Finance or designate, and the Vice-Chairman of the Council on Virginia's Future and other state leaders as determined by the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and Senior Economic Advisor shall serve as ex officio members.

The Commission shall consider the current state of public and private higher education in Virginia and the best practices in other states and countries, and shall make findings and recommendations for addressing the following priorities:

· Preserving and enhancing the instructional excellence of Virginia's leading universities and of the higher education system as a whole;

· Increasing significantly the percentage of college-age Virginians enrolling in institutions of higher education and attaining degrees;

· Attracting and preparing young people for the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) areas and other disciplines (e.g., healthcare and advanced manufacturing) where skill shortages now exist and/or unmet demand is anticipated;

· Forging new effective public-private partnerships and regional strategies for business recruitment, workforce preparation, and university-based research;

· Making Virginia a national leader in providing higher education opportunities to military personnel and veterans;

· Crafting a sustainable higher education funding model that will systematically move Virginia toward higher levels of educational attainment and economic competitiveness over the next decade-and-a-half;

· Developing innovative ways to deliver quality instruction, cost-saving reform strategies, and affordable new pathways to degree attainment for capable and motivated Virginians regardless of income or background;

· Evaluating strategies to reduce costs through additional college placement testing and accelerated degree completion; and

· Creating effective workforce development programs through expanded use of the Community College System in coordination with the Commission on Economic Development and Job Creation.

The Commission's report shall set forth a comprehensive strategy for increased educational attainment, skills development, and lifelong learning that will equip Virginians to succeed at the highest levels of global economic competition. The strategy shall include a renewed commitment to public-private collaboration, predictable state operational support, and managerial flexibility at the institutional level. The strategy shall simultaneously challenge, encourage, and empower the institutions to attract resources, emphasize STEM and other priority disciplines, while deemphasizing low-demand programs, and using new technology and pedagogy to replace outmoded methods of service delivery with cost-effective instructional programming. The strategy shall embrace the full array of Virginia's higher education assets-public and private, for-profit and not-for-private, residential and non-residential, physical and virtual-for the purpose of ensuring that all Virginians have affordable access to appropriate post-secondary education, training, and re-training opportunities.

The Commission shall accomplish its work through committees appointed by the Chairman and corresponding to the following three major objectives, together with such additional committees, subcommittees and working groups as the Chairman may establish:

(1) Increased Degree Attainment, Financial Aid and Workforce Training

· Plan for achieving the goal of 100,000 cumulative additional associate and bachelor's degrees over the next 15 years;

· Concentration of increased educational attainment in the STEM areas and other high-demand and high-income fields;

· Plan to support increased enrollment of Virginia students;

· Suitable financial aid for low and middle income families;

· Alignment of policies, resources and incentives to promote study in areas where shortages of skilled workers exist or are anticipated;

· Provision of enhanced higher education opportunities to military personnel and veterans; and

· Coordination with the Job Creation Officer, Office of Commerce and Trade, and Governor's Economic Development and Job Creation Commission on workforce development initiatives and recommendations.

(2) Implement Innovation and Cost Containment

· Model for higher education funding and service delivery that embodies a long-term commitment to high-quality instruction and affordable access, and that incorporates the degree attainment goals set out in (1) above;

· Rigorous cost-benefit analysis to identify and phase out low-demand programs and reduce/prevent wasteful central office administrative spending and eliminate redundancy within and across higher educational institutions;

· Optimal development and utilization of private and federal resources;

· Increased collaboration among high schools, community colleges, four-year institutions, and private providers to reduce the time and cost of obtaining a college degree;

· Use of new technology for delivering instruction, including course re-design for online learning, use of electronic instructional materials in lieu of textbooks, etc.; and

· Analysis of the principles and objectives of the Higher Education Restructuring Act of 2005, and enhancements thereto.

(3) Regional Strategies/Partnerships for Research and Economic Development

· Plan to dramatically increase the leveraging of private and federal research funding by Virginia's colleges and universities;

· Coordination with development of a Virginia Energy Institute and other energy-related research initiatives;

· Coordination with the Office of Commerce and Trade to develop region-specific strategies and partnerships through which public and private colleges and community colleges participate actively in economic development, workforce training, development of research parks, and related activities; and

· Identification of funding streams through which financial incentives for regional collaboration and public-private partnerships may be introduced.

The Commission shall submit to the Governor its findings and recommendations on matters potentially impacting the development of the Executive Budget no later than September 30, 2010. The Commission shall submit to the Governor a final report of its activities, findings and recommendations no later than November 30, 2010.

Staff support as necessary for the conduct of the Commission's work during the term of its existence shall be provided by the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Secretary of Education, the Offices of the other Governor's Secretaries represented on the Commission, the Department of Planning and Budget, the Council on Virginia's Future, and such other agencies as the Governor may designate. All executive branch agencies shall cooperate fully with the Commission and render such assistance as may be requested by it.

An estimated 2,000 hours of staff time will be required to support the Commission. Such funding as is necessary for the term of the Commission's existence shall be provided from sources, including both private and appropriated funds, contributed or appropriated for purposes related to the work of the Commission, as authorized by Section 2.2-135(B) of the Code of Virginia. Direct expenditures for the Commission's work are estimated to be $15,000, exclusive of staff support.

/s/ Robert F. McDonnell

Governor