Spanberger signs 10 Executive Orders on first day as Governor

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed ten executive orders Saturday at the Virginia State Capitol, outlining her administration’s priorities on affordability, education, public safety, and state government operations on her first day in office.

Several of the orders direct state agencies to review costs facing Virginians, including housing, healthcare, energy, and education, and to recommend potential regulatory or policy changes within set timeframes. One order establishes an Interagency Health Financing Task Force to examine healthcare spending, reduce duplication, and assess risks tied to federal funding changes.

Another executive order calls for a statewide review of regulations affecting housing development and creates a commission to recommend strategies to increase housing supply.

In education, Spanberger directed the Virginia Department of Education to strengthen literacy and mathematics instruction, review accountability systems, and implement recommendations from a 2025 JLARC report. The order also calls for a statewide listening tour with students, parents, and educators.

The Governor also created an Economic Resiliency Task Force to assess the impact of federal workforce reductions, funding cuts, tariffs, and immigration policy changes on Virginia’s economy and workforce.

Additional orders address the appointment process for boards of visitors at public universities, establish non-discrimination policies across state government, delegate administrative authority within the Governor’s Office, and outline standby authority in the event the Governor is unreachable.

Spanberger also rescinded Executive Order 47, which encouraged state and local law enforcement to assist with federal civil immigration enforcement, stating that law enforcement should remain focused on criminal activity, jail operations, and community engagement.

Many of the directives require further review and recommendations before resulting in specific policy changes.