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The Virginia Manufacturer - Focusing on Manufacturing Issues of Today and Tomorrow

Virginia Manufacturer's Association
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President's Corner

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"Politics has become so expensive that it takes a lot of money even to be defeated." 
               - Will Rogers

Money is to a political race what sponsors are to a racing team.  You can try to compete without a sponsor, but it is unlikely you will win on your racing skills alone.  Election day is tomorrow, so I wanted to give members a bit of insight into the "drivers" and their "team sponsors" competing in Tuesday's race.

I encourage all members to educate themselves and their employees about who is funding statewide elections.  A terrific impartial resource is the Virginia Public Access Project and its election overview is available by clicking here. For example, in the Gubernatorial race, Gillespie has raised $24.5 million and Northam has raised $33.8 million.This year the manufacturing sector gave $1.3 million in total funds to all races.  For comparative purposes, organized labor alone gave $6.8 million. 

What is particularly interesting is that Northam and Gillespie have raised 50% and 48% respectively from outside groups.  Outside groups are non-Virginia partisan groups, labor unions or single-interest organizations, including those with a Virginia pass through affiliate.  So, does outside group money positively or negatively impact Virginia's elections?  We have seen a new low in civility with the Latino Victory Fund video scandal.  We have seen a new high with the amount of money raised for the Attorney General's race - $6.9 million for Adams and $8.8 for Herring. You be the judge...

In closing, the best way to assure that Virginia's elections produce leaders that will assure the Commonwealth competes to win the race for economic growth is entirely up to you.  If you do your homework (read candidate surveys and interviews, review their policies and their track record), you don't need "team sponsors" telling you how to vote.  So, get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7!


Sincerely,

Brett A. Vassey
President & CEO


                  2017 ELECTION EDITION - NOVEMBER 6, 2017
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR

 

 

  GILLESPIE COMPLETES VMAPAC SURVEY
 
 

Every four years the VMAPAC publishes a Gubernatorial candidate survey in order to help members understand the priorities of each candidate.  The questions are developed by the VMA, VMAPAC Board of Directors, and VMA Government Affairs Council.  They are specific to the manufacturing sector and industrial businesses in the Commonwealth.  The survey is non-partisan and intended to elicit more information than the standard questionnaires answered by candidates for the press or political organizations.

 

This year's survey contained 38 questions ranging from "Yes" and "No" choices to open ended responses.  Gillespie answered 87% of the questions.  Northam did not complete the survey.  Compared to the last Gubernatorial election, both candidates completed the entire survey.

 

The Gillespie responses are particularly strong in the areas of tax, workforce and regulation.  Members will have to review the Northam campaign site to assess his positions on the questions asked in the VMAPAC Gubernatorial candidate survey.

 

                    Gillespie Survey Response Here >>


VMAPAC ISSUES 2017 INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH LEADERSHIP
 AWARDS


DELEGATE DAVID BULOVA HONORED AT VA INDUSTRY FORUM
Hermes best

                 
The Virginia Manufacturers Association Political Action Committee (VMAPAC) and Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) awarded this year's VMAPAC Industrial Strength Leadership Award to the Honorable Rich Anderson, The Honorable David Bulova, The Honorable Tag Greason, The Honorable Bryce Reeves, and The Honorable Roxann Robinson.  Delegate David Bulova received his award during a special recognition ceremony at the Virginia Industry Forum in Newport News.
 
The VMA Industrial Strength Leadership Award was created in 2003 to recognize Virginia Delegates and Senators who demonstrate exceptional support for a pro-manufacturing agenda by virtue of their most recent legislative session voting record.  The Award is not a blanket endorsement of any candidate or political party; rather, it is an honored designation for a legislator at a specific point in time for all manufacturers and allies to recognize.  All members of the Virginia House and Senate are considered.
 
Distinction is given to members of the legislature that carry a VMA Priority Bill. Further distinction is given to members of the legislature who successfully carry VMA Priority Bills. Adjustments are also made for those selected members that may be sponsors of VMA Defensive Priority Bills. The Delegates and Senators receiving the highest combined Vote Score earn the award.
 
Winners are presented with a distinctive award bearing the award icon, an image of Hermes, the Greek god of commerce. Hermes was chosen as the award icon because his duties included the making of treaties, promotion of commerce, and maintenance of free rights-of-way for travelers. He was believed to be responsible for both good luck and wealth. Finally, his distinguishing qualities were cunning, ingenuity, knowledge and creativity. These are all factors representative of industrial strength leadership.

                   

                       
                 
GET OUT THE MFG VOTE


ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES TO VOTE

The Virginia House of Delegates and all statewide offices are up for election this year.  As such, voter turnout will be a principal factor in the results of the election.  We have 230,000 workers across the Commonwealth that can help shape this election and the future direction of the Commonwealth.  Let's set our own record this election - let's turn out the most MFG voters in modern history.

 

Talk to your teams and share this newsletter.  The VMA challenges all members to get out the MFG vote tomorrow!