Governor Kaine Signs Six Executive Orders

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine signed six Executive Orders today, immediately upon taking the oath of office as the Commonwealth’s 70th Governor.

Executive Order Number 1 (2006) prohibits the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia from discriminating on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, veterans’ status, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

“Equal opportunity for all is at the foundation of Virginia’s greatness,” Governor Kaine said. “Our administration will be inclusive and diverse, and our appointees and hardworking state employees have a right to work in an environment that is free of discrimination in all its forms.”

Executive Order Number 2 (2006), called the Community Integration for Virginians with Disabilities, states the Commonwealth’s moral and legal obligation to provide appropriate opportunities for people with disabilities to become fully integrated into the community, if they choose to do so. Specifically, the Order continues the Community Integration Implementation Team and the Governor’s Olmstead Community Integration Oversight Board, and establishes a Director of Community Integration for People with Disabilities to direct and coordinate all Olmstead implementation and oversight activities. The United States Supreme Court’s 1999 ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. requires states, when appropriate, to provide community-based services rather than institutional placements for individuals with disabilities.

“As Chairman of the Virginia Disability Commission, I worked with members of the disability community to make it easier for disabled Virginians to lead fulfilling and productive lives,” Governor Kaine said. “This Executive Order will ensure that we continue to lead the way in offering the promise of Virginia to all citizens, regardless of ability.”

Executive Order Number 3 (2006) will continue the Civil Rights Memorial Commission created under Governor Mark R. Warner. The commission, which Governor Kaine will chair, is charged with working with the General Assembly leadership in facilitating the establishment of a memorial in Capitol Square that will commemorate the courage of Virginians during the civil rights movement.

“Many of the most important legal victories of the civil rights era originated in Virginia, including landmark decisions that desegregated public transportation and accommodations, juries, courtrooms, and public schools,” Governor Kaine said. “A civil rights memorial in our Capitol is appropriate and overdue, and I am proud to continue this worthy effort.”

Governor Kaine also signed Executive Order Number 4 (2006), establishing the authority and responsibility of the Governor’s Chief of Staff; Executive Order Number 5 (2006), affirming and delegating to the Secretary of Finance certain authority conferred by the General Obligation Bond Acts; and Executive Order Number 6 (2006), delegating to the Chief of Staff the Governor’s authority to declare a state of emergency and to call the Virginia National Guard to active service for emergencies or other disasters when the Governor is out of the Commonwealth of Virginia or cannot otherwise be reached.

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