Chamber Day at the Capitol
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2023 Chamber Day at the Capitol. This was the first in-person meeting since 2020! Throughout the morning, we heard from Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears, Speaker of the House Todd Gilbert, and Senator Monty Mason. The keynote was Attorney General Jason Miyares.
The Attorney General said his first goal is to make Virginia the most attractive state for businesses and people. He said, “litigation, taxation, and regulation strangle businesses”. Miyares also added that “business owners are ‘poverty destroyers.'” The Attorney General encouraged businesses to offer internships to get young people involved.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears
Our Lieutenant Governor delivered an enthusiastic speech as our first speaker of the day. Winsome Earle Sears’ historic election for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia has won her the national spotlight as the first black woman to win statewide office in the Commonwealth.
The Lieutenant Governor is “all about business and without business there is nothing”. She spoke about a conservative budget and said that education is key; children are our future and our future workforce. She brought up the need for transparency and efficiency in government. She discussed Virginia HB1508 allowing parents to pick the schools their children attend. Students are getting their education in Virginia and migrating to other states. She spoke about the importance of enhancing internships.
Sears spoke about the Govenor’s reduction in taxes for individuals and businesses from 6% to 5%. We are competing with North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Florida.
Capitol Reception
The VA West Business & Legislative Coalition hosted its annual Capital Reception on Monday evening. It was a great opportunity to mix and mingle with our region’s legislators! I had a chance to catch up with Eric Sichau, President & CEO of Roanoke Regional
Chamber of Commerce, and Terry Durkin, Vice President of Public Policy at Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.