Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces 2014 Governor’s Challenge Champions in Economics and Personal Finance

Map of Fairfax County and neighboring jurisdic...
Map of Fairfax County and neighboring jurisdictions (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Three Virginia High School Teams Crowned State Champions at Competition of Economics and Financial Skill

Richmond – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the winners of the 2014 Governor’s Challenge in Economics and Personal Finance.  Preliminary online rounds attracted a record number of participants, almost 3,000 high school students from across Virginia.  161 students qualified for the day-long championship competition at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on April 9th where the following teams prevailed:

Adam Smith Division (advanced economics)
  1st place: Chantilly High School, Fairfax County;  teacher: Joe Clement
  Runner up:  St.Stephen’s/St.Agnes School, Private;  teacher: Theresa Cullen Hill

David Ricardo Division (economics)
  1st Place: Dominion High School, Loudoun County;  teacher: Gregory Welling
  Runner up:  Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Multi-Divisions;  teacher: Emily Hardesty

Personal Finance Division
 1st Place: Rappahannock High School, Richmond County teacher: Brent Brown
  Runner up: Charlottesville High School, City of Charlottesville;  teacher: Katie Baugher


“Equipping Virginia students with real-world financial skills and an understanding of their role in a dynamic and global economy is crucial to their future success,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Governor’s Challenge highlights the excellent job that teachers are doing relaying the scope and relevance of economic education to their students.  These students will lead the way in strengthening Virginia’s workforce and are prepared to make informed financial decisions that will lead to stronger communities and a stronger economy.” 

The Governor’s Challenge is conducted in partnership with the Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE), a nonprofit public-private partnership focused on enhancing economics and financial education in grades K-12.  Students who graduate in 2015 will be the first class required to earn a credit in economics and personal finance in order to graduate.  VCEE has been a key partner in providing professional development and creative classroom resources to assist teachers who are teaching this new course.  The Governor’s Challenge is part of the Virginia High School Initiative designed to support teachers and school divisions with implementation of the new high school course.

“The knowledge level and engagement of our students is quite impressive,” said Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton.  “It is clear these students will leave high school better prepared for the jobs of the 21st Century and be more effective consumers, savers, and investors.” 

“Congratulations go to all the teachers who prepared their students and made the extra effort to provide them the opportunity to participate in the online and ‘live’ Governor’s Challenge,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Patricia I. Wright.

Thanks go to lead sponsor Capital One, and additional sponsors BCG Companies, Dominion Resources, and Virginia Credit Union who provided financial support to make the Governor’s Challenge possible.

Visit  http://www.education.virginia.gov/Initiatives/EconomicAndFinancialLiteracy/index.cfm andwww.vcee.org to learn more about the Governor’s Challenge and other efforts to promote economic and financial education for Virginia’s students.
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Governor McAuliffe Announces 70 New Jobs in City of Hopewell

The seals of the Commonwealth of Virginia
The seals of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~ Vireol Bio Energy LLC to Invest $26.2 Million, Purchase More than 21.7 Million Bushels of Virginia Grains Over Next Three Years ~

Governor McAuliffe encouraged Vireol to commit to production in Virginia rather than shipping facility overseas

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Vireol Bio Energy LLC will commission the former Osage Bio Energy facility and begin production of ethanol in the City of Hopewell.  The company, which will produce ethanol from corn, barley and other small grains, will invest more than $26.2 million to begin production at the facility, creating 70 new jobs in the process.  The new state of the art plant will be the largest ethanol plant on the East Coast of the United States.  Governor McAuliffe began playing a significant role in keeping this project in Virginia during the first month of his term, meeting with representatives from Vireol to discuss the economic advantages of locating in Virginia, including port and transportation facilities as well as rich grain production, and the various business incentive programs Virginia offers.  The Commonwealth of Virginia is partnering with the City of Hopewell and Vireol Bio Energy on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “In the first month of my administration, I was able to sit down with Vireol’s business and investment team to share with them my commitment to creating jobs and diversifying the Commonwealth’s economy and encourage them to begin their ethanol production here in Virginia.  Vireol’s decision to invest in Virginia rather than sending the plant’s assets overseas brings to life an impressive yet completely unutilized facility that will create good paying jobs right here in Virginia.  It is outstanding that we are able to bring a new company like Vireol to Virginia by leveraging an existing asset and Virginia’s outstanding climate for business.  As Vireol begins production, we’ll have new jobs in Hopewell as well as a new market in which Virginia farmers will be able to sell their grains.”

           In addition to the investment and jobs created in Hopewell, Vireol Bio Energy will spend more than $100 million to purchase from Virginia producers approximately 21.7 million bushels of grains that the company will need over the next three years, providing new opportunities for Virginia’s farmers.  Vireol Bio Energy plans to produce over 170 million gallons of ethanol over a three year period, utilizing corn, wheat and barley, which will ultimately be blended with gasoline for fuel. 

            “The Vireol Bio Energy project creates good jobs at its facility while providing new opportunities for agricultural producers throughout Virginia, the very reason we created the AFID program two years ago,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  “Vireol’s commitment to source at least 30% of their grain needs from Virginia, as required by the AFID grant, creates a substantial opportunity for grain producers in our rural communities while also generating additional activity in our transportation and aggregation sectors.  The byproducts from this facility, like the dried distiller grains, a much sought after component of animal feed, also provide new domestic usage and export opportunities for Virginia.

"Many thanks for the grant.  This is great for the City of Hopewell, great for the Commonwealth of Virginia and great for our farmers." said Delegate Riley Ingram (R – 62nd District). 

            “Several jurisdictions within District 16, including Hopewell, Prince George, Dinwiddie and Chesterfield, have significant agricultural activity and will benefit from AFID grants,” said Senator Henry Marsh (D – 16th District).  “I am excited that the Governor has issued the first two grants and look forward to expansion of the program across the Commonwealth.”

The company will improve the facility’s ethanol production capabilities as well as expand and construct new value-added processes at the site.  One major co-produce byproduct of Vireol Bio Energy’s ethanol production are dried distiller grains (DDGs), a high protein feed ingredient, sought out by poultry and livestock producers.  The company is also investing in a facility to capture the high-quality carbon dioxide that is created during fermentation that is utilized for beverage carbonation and food preservation.

           “The City of Hopewell eagerly anticipates the potential opening of the Vireol operation here in our great city,” said Hopewell mayor, Michael C. Bujakowski.  “We are appreciative of the Governor, our State Representatives, and our State Senator for the support they have shown toward both Vireol and Hopewell.  We anticipate a long and prosperous relationship with our new business partners from across the Atlantic.”

A $250,000 AFID grant is being awarded to the City of Hopewell to assist the Vireol Bio Energy in the restart and expansion of the ethanol plant.  Hopewell is providing a rebate of their local machinery and tool tax, an incentive offered to businesses in their Enterprise Zone, as the required local match for the grant.  The company will also receive Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) employee training incentives, various state Enterprise Zone incentives and qualifies for the Biofuels Production Incentive Grant, recently passed by the General Assembly.

           Peter McGenity, Chief Executive at Vireol Bio Energy LLC stated, “We’re delighted to announce that we will be starting production of renewable ethanol this month and we are looking forward to a long and successful future for Vireol in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We greatly appreciate the wide-ranging support from our US partners, including the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Hopewell. Governor McAuliffe and the Commonwealth have recognized the potential of this opportunity and have provided us with the perfect springboard to launch into the US. Their support has been central to the decision to invest on the other side of the Atlantic.”
           
            According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia's largest industries, with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually.  Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion. The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund
The AFID Fund was created during the 2012 session of the General Assembly and is being embraced by the McAuliffe Administration as an important tool in growing the Commonwealth’s agriculture and forestry sector and helping to make Virginia the leading exporter of agricultural and forest products on the East Coast.  More information about the AFID grant, which has the flexibility to assist projects large and small throughout Virginia can be found athttp://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml).
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Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order to Continue the Governor’s Task Force on Improving Mental Health Services and Crisis Response

Mental Health Awareness Ribbon
Mental Health Awareness Ribbon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor McAuliffe signed Executive Order #12 yesterday, which continues the Governor’s Task Force on Improving Mental Health Services and Crisis Response.

Speaking about the Executive Order, Governor McAuliffe stated, “I am glad to sign Executive Order 12, which ensures that Virginia leaders continue to focus on access to mental health services and improvements in Virginia’s mental health system as we work to build better communities and grow the Commonwealth’s economy. I am encouraged at the progress we made legislatively this year on reforming our mental health system, but there is still significant work to be done to prevent future tragedies from occurring and to make sure our mental health system works for all Virginians.

“I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam for agreeing to chair the Task Force along with Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel and Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran who will co-chair. I also thank all of the Virginia leaders who are working tirelessly to improve our Commonwealth’s mental health system and the outcomes it delivers for the Virginians we all serve.”

Full Text of the Executive Order is Below:

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER TWELVE (2014)

CONTINUING THE GOVERNOR’S TASK FORCE ON IMPROVING

Importance of the Taskforce

Virginians have experienced tremendous heartache as a result of mental health tragedies. It is incumbent upon us to reevaluate how we can better serve our fellow Virginians with mental health needs and examine ways to improve the system by filling in gaps in services and making impactful investments. Collaborative groups of experts, advocates, policy-makers and others have assessed certain aspects of the system and affected critical changes over the years. In particular, following the tragedy at Virginia Tech, Virginia’s leaders drew upon work done by the Virginia Tech Review Panel and the Commission on Mental Health Law Reform to study and investigate the tragedy in order to strengthen the civil commitment process through legislation so that individuals with serious mental illness could receive needed help in a timely manner. The 2008 budget included an infusion of funds to build core community services such as emergency services, case management, and outpatient treatment. Unfortunately, many of these gains were lost as a result of the economic downturn. Last year, targeted investments were made to Virginia’s mental health system upon recommendations from the Governor’s Taskforce on School and Campus Safety.

            While bolstering our ability to respond to mental health crises when they occur, we must continue to seek ways to intervene early and prevent crises from developing. Virginia has crisis prevention services in place, such as outpatient psychiatric consultation, suicide prevention, Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) services, and rehabilitation services. These services are in high demand, and are not consistently available across the Commonwealth.
           
            Virginia’s mental health system has moved away from the days of overcrowded state mental institutions toward a community-based system for individuals to receive treatment in their homes and communities. However, the mental health system remains extremely complex and difficult to navigate for families seeking assistance and for workers within the system. Though state law helps guide the process, practices and services are locally developed. This system allows flexibility to implement the policies that work best for particular regions, though the protocols have not always been in writing and variations have existed across the Commonwealth.

The mental health system for emergency services is dependent upon cooperation and communication from a variety of partners, including community services boards, law enforcement, the judicial system and private hospitals. Effective collaboration among these many parties ensures the most favorable outcomes for people in crisis. While emergency mental health services work for most people, it is critical that the mental health safety net responds effectively to all individuals and families in crisis.
           
            Since taking office, my administration and I have been committed to finding and supporting measures to assure the care and safety of persons suffering mental health crises along with their families, neighbors, and members of the community. Lawmakers acted quickly this session to make numerous changes to Virginia’s mental health laws. Among the changes is extending the emergency custody order (ECO) period from a maximum of six to a total of eight possible hours. This change will give clinicians more time to locate an available psychiatric bed during the ECO period. Our legislators also extended the temporary detention order period from 48 to 72 hours to help ensure individuals have enough treatment time to stabilize prior to the court hearing which determines involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital.

To help Virginia improve its mental health crisis response, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has taken steps since the beginning of 2014 to outline clear and specific statewide expectations for securing a private or a state psychiatric bed when an individual qualifies for a temporary detention order. In turn, partners across Virginia’s seven DBHDS Partnership Planning Regions, including community services boards and state and private hospitals, have incorporated state guidance into tightened and clarified admission procedures for the regions’ private and state psychiatric beds. In addition, in a collaborative effort among DBHDS, Virginia Health Information, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and the 40 local community services boards, Virginia launched an online psychiatric bed registry to help clinicians locate available beds in an emergency situation. While the changes that have been made in recent months have been critical, more solutions are needed to improve Virginia’s complicated and chronically underfunded mental health system. Because the system is multifaceted, the solutions must be as well.

Through this Executive Order, I am calling on leaders in the mental health field, law enforcement communities, the judicial system, private hospitals, and individuals receiving mental health services, to seek and recommend solutions that will improve Virginia’s mental health crisis services and help prevent crises from developing.

To accomplish this, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to §§ 2.2-134 and 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, and subject to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby continue the Governor’s Task Force on Improving Mental Health Services and Crisis Response.

Governor’s Task Force on Improving Mental Health Services and Crisis Response

The Task Force’s responsibilities shall include the following:

·       Recommend refinements and clarifications of protocols and procedures for community services boards, state hospitals, law enforcement and receiving hospitals.

·       Review for possible expansion the programs and services that assure prompt response to individuals in mental health crises and their families such as emergency services teams, law enforcement crisis intervention teams (CIT), secure assessment centers, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization centers and mental health first aid.

·       Examine extensions or adjustments to the emergency custody order and the temporary detention order period.

·       Explore technological resources and capabilities, equipment, training and procedures to maximize the use of telepsychiatry.

·       Examine the cooperation that exists among the courts, law enforcement and mental health systems in communities that have incorporated crisis intervention teams and cross systems mapping.

·       Identify and examine the availability of and improvements to mental health resources for Virginia’s veterans, service members, and their families and children.

·       Assess state and private provider capacity for psychiatric inpatient care, the assessment process hospitals use to select which patients are appropriate for such care, and explore whether psychiatric bed registries and/or census management teams improve the process for locating beds.

·       Review for possible expansion those services that will provide ongoing support for individuals with mental illness and reduce the frequency and intensity of mental health crises. These services may include rapid, consistent access to outpatient treatment and psychiatric services, as well as co-located primary care and behavioral health services, critical supportive services such as wrap-around stabilizing services, peer support services, PACT services, housing, employment and case management.

·       Recommend how families and friends of a loved one facing a mental health crisis can improve the environment and safety of an individual in crisis.

·       Examine the mental health workforce capacity and scope of practice and recommend any improvements to ensure an adequate mental health workforce.

Task Force Membership

·       The Task Force shall be chaired by the Lieutenant Governor.
·       The Task Force shall be co-chaired by the Secretaries of Health and Human Resources and
Public Safety and Homeland Security;

Membership shall include the following individuals or their designees:

·       The Attorney General of Virginia;
·       Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs;
·       Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia;
·       Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services;
·       Commissioner of the Department of Social Services;
·       Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services;
·       Superintendent of the Virginia State Police;
·       At least three community services board emergency services directors;
·       At least three law enforcement officers, including at least one sheriff;  
·       At least two executive directors of community services boards;
·       At least two magistrates;
·       At least two private hospital emergency department physicians;
·       At least two psychiatrists;
·       At least one representative of a state mental health facility;
·       At least two representatives from Virginia’s private hospital systems;
·       At least two individuals receiving mental health services;
·       At least one member from a statewide veterans organization;
·       At least two family members of individuals receiving services; and
·       Two members of the House of Delegates and two members of the Senate of Virginia.
The Governor may appoint other members as he deems necessary.
Task Force Staffing and Funding
Necessary staff support for the Task Force's work during its existence shall be furnished by the Office of the Governor, and the Offices of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, as well as other agencies and offices designated by the Governor. An estimated 750 hours of staff time will be required to support the work of the Task Force.
Necessary funding to support the Commission and its staff shall be provided from federal funds, private contributions, and state funds appropriated for the same purposes as the Task Force, as authorized by § 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, as well as any other private sources of funding that may be identified. Estimated direct costs for this Commission are $5,000 per year.
The Task Force shall commence its work promptly and suggest legislative and budgetary proposals that will enable the implementation of identified recommendations. The Task Force shall make recommendations on an ongoing basis and shall provide a final report to the Governor no later than October 1, 2014. The Task Force shall issue such other reports and recommendations as necessary or as requested by the Governor.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order replaces Executive Order No. 68 (2013) issued on December 10, 2013, by Governor Robert F. McDonnell. This Executive Order shall be effective upon signing and, pursuant to §§ 2.2-134 and 2.2-135 of the Code of Virginia, shall remain in force and effect for one year from its signing unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 8th day of April, 2014.
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Governor McAuliffe Announces Environmental Excellence Award Winners

Official seal of City of Newport News
Official seal of City of Newport News (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND, VA. – Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced the winners of the 2014 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, which were presented at the Environment Virginia Symposium at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. 

The awards recognize significant environmental contributions in two categories: sustainability and land conservation. They are given to businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies.

“These award winners demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the environment for the benefit of all Virginians,” Governor McAuliffe said. “This recognition is well-deserved, and I look forward to ongoing improvements from these winners and other environmental and conservation leaders.” 

The Gold Medal winners are:

·       City of Newport News for its comprehensive sustainability program, a product of citizen input and local government leadership, which maps out a long-term strategic approach to becoming a greener community.
·       Elizabeth River Project for its Dominion Virginia Power Learning Barge, a mobile environmental education center known as the world’s first floating wetlands classroom and America’s “Greenest Vessel” designed to offer a closer look at the challenges facing the watershed.
·       Luck Companies for their commitment to sustainability across all business units, resulting in significant improvements in water conservation, land preservation, waste generation and energy savings.
·       Locust Grove Farm Conservation Easement, which protects more than 16,500 linear feet of forested and vegetated buffers on the Mattaponi River in King and Queen County on property that has been owned by the same family for about 350 years.

Award winners were chosen based on criteria including environmental benefit, stakeholder involvement, public outreach, transferability and innovativeness.

The awards are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Additional information on the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards is available on the DEQ website at:

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