Governor Youngkin advances efforts to make government services faster and more accessible for all Virginians
Richmond, Virginia – In a significant step toward enhancing efficiency in government services, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced Executive Order 39, focusing on improving transparency and efficiency in the state’s permitting, licensing, certification, and registration processes. The goal of the order is to reduce wait times, cut costs, and simplify application procedures for residents and businesses in Virginia.
Commitment to Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape
“Since day one, we have made it a top priority to improve government efficiency for Virginians. We’ve reduced red tape, streamlined 50,000 regulatory requirements, and saved Virginia citizens over $1.2 billion,” said Governor Youngkin. The governor emphasized that the new order builds on these efforts, further positioning Virginia as a state committed to making it easier for residents to apply for permits and licenses while fostering economic growth.
The new executive order introduces the first-in-the-nation government-wide approval tracking system, allowing applicants to follow the status of their submissions in real time. “We are making it clearer, easier, and more efficient to apply for these critical approvals,” Governor Youngkin added.
Enhancing Efficiency Across Agencies
Director of the Office of Regulatory Management (ORM) Reeve Bull highlighted the unique nature of Virginia’s reforms. “Virginia is the only state that has built a government-wide platform that includes permit applications,” Bull explained. He noted that Executive Order 39 directs state agencies to incorporate additional permit types into the platform while accelerating processing times.
Governor Youngkin emphasized that the push for streamlined processes does not compromise environmental protections. Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles echoed this sentiment, stating, “We can, and will, do both – create an increasingly prosperous and unencumbered economy, and an increasingly clean environment.”
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has already seen notable success through process improvements and the launch of the Permitting Enhancement and Evaluation Platform. DEQ Director Mike Rolband reported that permit processing times have improved by 70%, with the public now able to monitor permit schedules through an online tracking system.
Facilitating Vocational Growth and Economic Development
The new reforms also focus on accelerating professional licensing, ensuring residents can enter the workforce promptly. Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater stressed the importance of getting qualified individuals to work as soon as possible. “We need to make sure that we get people to work quickly, so they can start serving the public and providing for their families,” Slater said.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick emphasized the impact these changes will have on business development. “Increasing transparency, process efficiencies, and digitization of the permit and license application process is a critical component to supporting business growth,” Merrick explained.
Continued Progress in Regulatory Reform
The Office of Regulatory Management, established in 2022, has played a central role in driving these improvements. By eliminating over 50,000 regulatory requirements, ORM has reduced the total number of regulations by 17.5%. Additionally, the Virginia Permit Transparency (VPT) permitting dashboard now tracks over 100,000 applications annually across six agencies.
The new executive order directs agencies to eliminate outdated approvals, streamline multi-step processes, and further enhance the digital application experience. With these measures, Governor Youngkin aims to fulfill his commitment to ensuring Virginia becomes the best state to live, work, and raise a family.
As Virginia moves forward with these transformative reforms, the emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and economic opportunity remains central to the state’s vision for the future. The latest changes reflect Governor Youngkin’s belief that a more efficient government will lead to a stronger economy and better outcomes for all Virginians.
