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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Governor Abigail Spanberger signed multiple executive orders on her first day in office, to “start building a stronger, more affordable future for all Virginians,” according to an official press release.
Why It Matters
Spanberger, sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor on January 17, 2026, at the Virginia State Capitol, marked her inaugural day by signing 10 executive orders.
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The press release states that these directives focus on affordability, education, and public safety, with actions spanning health care, housing, economic stabilization, and community well‑being.
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What To Know
Governor Spanberger signed the executive orders shortly after her inauguration, and the first three direct all executive branch agencies to:
- Identify immediate ways to reduce living expenses for families in Virginia—looking at housing, health care, energy, education, child care, and groceries—with agencies required to submit actionable plans within 90 days.
- Establish a cross-agency Interagency health financing task force to create a unified approach to health care spending, maximize federal funding, reduce duplicative spending, and enhance long‑term infrastructure and efficiency.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of housing development regulation and permitting practices to encourage more development and lower costs, effectively aiming to remove barriers and increase supply.
The additional seven Executive Orders address:
- Maintaining high academic standards by directing the Department of Education to strengthen core instructional systems in literacy and mathematics, improve school accountability, and launch a state-wide listening tour involving students, parents, and educators.
- Creating an economic resiliency task force to address federal workforce reductions, funding cuts, tariffs, and changes in federal law affecting programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Formally reviewing and evaluating the process for appointing members to the board of Virginia’s public higher education institutions, such as public colleges and universities.
- Establishing emergency decision protocols for the governor's chief of staff and designated officials if the governor is unreachable or incapacitated, with strict limitations and notification requirements
- Delegating administrative and budgetary authority to the governor’s chief of staff, while preserving the final decision‑making power for the governor.
- Implementing a non-discrimination policy for state government in employment, appointments, procurement, and public services, with protections for veterans and people with disabilities and disciplinary consequences for violations.
- Rescinding Executive Order 47, which had previously directed Virginia law enforcement to cooperate with federal civil immigration enforcement, shifting law enforcement focus to public safety priorities.
What Governor Abigail panberger Said
During the signing ceremony, Spanberger said: "Today, we are responding to the moment. We are setting the tone for what Virginians can expect over the next four years: pragmatic leadership focused on lowering costs and delivering results. My administration is getting to work on Day One to address the top-of-mind challenges facing families by lowering costs for Virginians in every community, building a stronger economy for every worker, and making sure that every student in the commonwealth receives a high-quality education that sets them up for success. These executive orders represent the first steps in our work to create a stronger, safer, and—critically—more affordable future for our commonwealth."
What Happens Next
Many of Spanberger’s executive orders require agencies to submit reports, recommendations, or reviews, meaning further updates on compliance and any resulting legislative proposals are expected to emerge over the coming months.
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