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 Virginia survived the 2007-09 recession relatively unscathed.
Close to the nation's capital, it is home to many federal
contractors and military installations. But in recent years,
congressional budget fights and federal spending cuts have hit the
state's labor force and economy.
"What remains to be seen is how we respond to the new reality that
the days when Virginia could simply rely on federal spending to buoy
our economy, in good times and bad, are over," he said. "If we are
going to preserve Virginia’s position as a global economic leader,
we must open new avenues for growth that are not dependent on
federal spending."
He outlined initiatives to break into other industries and draw new
businesses to the state, including setting aside funds to compete
for housing a new electron ion collider project and saying he would
introduce legislation to create an energy development fund.
 McAuliffe also pushed for more economic development, saying that for
every dollar invested in the Virginia Economic Development
Partnership the state receives nine dollars in budget revenue, and
touted the state's agricultural exports.
While McAuliffe promoted infrastructure as an economic booster,
noting he and state lawmakers had drafted legislation for funding
transportation projects without raising taxes, he also raised
questions about privatization. He called for reforms to state's
public-private partnership program to ensure greater accountability.
McAuliffe, who became the state's chief executive last year, has
enjoyed a high profile among Democrats for nearly 20 years that
included chairing Democratic National Committee. Republicans,
though, control Virginia's legislature, and many of his policy
proposals could face resistance.
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His speech touched on many of his party's key issues, including gun
control, abortion, education and healthcare. He also took on unequal
pay among men and women, saying he will introduce legislation "that
will increase the penalties for companies that fail to pay every
worker equally."
Recently, the commonwealth's image has suffered two major stains,
with former Governor Bob McDonnell sentenced to federal prison on
corruption charges and Rolling Stone publishing an article about
rape allegations at the University of Virginia.
McAuliffe suggested capping gifts to lawmakers and proposed
developing a unified sexual misconduct policy for all of Virginia’s
public colleges and universities.
(Reporting By Lisa Lambert; Editing by Robert Birsel)
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