Just minutes after being sworn in as Virginia 71st governor, Robert McDonnell wasted no time getting down to business by signing two executive orders on Saturday.
The first creates the post of Chief Job Creation Officer, which will be filled by Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling. The second establishes the Governor’s Economic Development and Job Creation Commission.
McDonnell spoke a crowd of more than 5,000 supporters during his inauguration speech about his intentions to bring jobs to the state.
“We will make Virginia the energy capital of the East Coast,” McDonnell told a crowd of supporters in Richmond. “We will champion environmentally safe off-shore energy oil exploration and production, bringing with it thousands of new jobs.”
Getting Virginians back to work is a big step toward improving the overall economy. McDonnell has inherited a $4 billion budget deficit.
McDonnell’s inauguration speech also took aim at leaders Washington.
“The founders recognized that government closest to the people works best.”
In an effort to curb the growth of government, McDonnell quickly created a commission on government reform and restructuring.
According to McDonnell’s staff, the goal of the Virginia Reform Commission is to review ways to make government more efficient, transparent and effective. They have six months to submit initial recommendations.
