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McDonnell calls for austere government, greater volunteerism
January 17, 2010 by Chair · Leave a Comment
Gov. Robert Francis McDonnell called on Virginians yesterday to make Virginia a “commonwealth of opportunity” by emphasizing an austere government, more innovation and greater volunteerism.
“Where opportunity is absent, we must create it. Where opportunity is limited, we must expand it. Where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone,” he declared in a 22-minute inaugural address.
“I’ve had people tell me they fear that America may no longer be the land of opportunity it has always been and that Virginia’s history in playing a leading role in the life of our nation may be just that — history,” he declared. “They are wrong.”
Appearing relaxed, McDonnell uttered the word “opportunity” or “opportunities” 33 times.
McDonnell delivered his speech after taking the 40-word oath of office from Justice Barbara Keenan of the Virginia Supreme Court, after a 19-gun salute by Howitzers placed at the south end of Capitol Square and after a noisy flyover by four F-22 Raptor jets. He took the oath on a Latin Vulgate Bible that was presented to his great-grandparents in Ireland on their wedding day in 1876.
Keenan is the first woman to swear in a Virginia governor. President Barack Obama has nominated Keenan for a judgeship on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Seven of Virginia’s eight living former governors were on hand to witness the inauguration of Virginia’s 71st governor, the first Republican governor in eight years and in McDonnell’s words “an average middle-class kid from Fairfax County, a grandson of Irish immigrants.”
Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., Virginia’s governor from 2002 to 2006, was unable to attend because of “a family medical issue,” said Kevin Hall, the senator’s spokesman.
Warner called McDonnell at midweek to explain and to extend his best wishes and McDonnell “was gracious and understanding,” Hall said.
Just after the oath was administered, Timothy M. Kaine, no longer governor, and Anne Holton, no longer first lady, walked quietly up the steps of the reviewing stand.
. . .
McDonnell and Virginia legislators face the task of closing a projected $4.2 billion shortfall in the 2010-12 budget.
McDonnell acknowledged the tough economic times and said he would make jobs creation his top goal.
To emphasize this he signed his first executive order after the ceremony, creating a Cabinet-level jobs-creation officer. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will fill the post.
McDonnell’s second executive order created a Governor’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring to identify efficiencies in state government and look for ways to privatize government operations.
“Without reform, the continued growth of government threatens our very prosperity,” McDonnell said.
“We must properly fund the core priorities of government, but — equally important — we must utilize innovation, privatization and consolidations to deliver government services more effectively,” McDonnell told the crowd of about 8,000 people assembled in grandstands on the south side of the Capitol.
“And as we enact these reforms we must remember this: that government cannot guarantee individual outcomes, but equality of opportunity must be guaranteed for all,” he declared.
The state appropriated $240,000 to pay for the grandstand, morning suits for legislators, invitations and the like.
McDonnell’s swearing-in followed the swearing in of Ken Cuccinelli as attorney general and Bolling, who begins his second four-year term as lieutenant governor. Neither made a speech. Their oaths were 41 words long — one word longer than McDonnell’s — because their job titles include two words.
McDonnell, a 55-year-old lawyer, urged the crowd to involve themselves in volunteer activities, including sending donations to Haiti.
“I urge business owners to look for opportunities to sponsor a Little League team, help a charity and promote corporate responsibility in the communities in which you live and work,” he declared. “I urge all the leaders of our faith communities to expand your selfless work of helping the homeless, feeding the poor and comforting the broken-hearted.”
He added:
“No government program can possibly substitute for the incredible good done through voluntary actions performed freely by caring individuals every day.”
Returning to the themes of his winning campaign, McDonnell said he wanted to make Virginia the energy capital of the East Cost, by drilling for oil off the coast, by growing the natural gas and coal industries and expanding the use of alternative energy sources.
“We will work with President Obama to expand high-quality charter schools and institute performance pay to our great teachers,” he said.
He called for expanding college education and promoting math and science training in Virginia’s schools.
“No child in Virginia should have her future determined by her place of birth or ZIP code,” he said.
As he did in the campaign, McDonnell urged improvements in the transportation system, without raising taxes.
“A better transportation system will create new opportunities for Virginians across the state,” he said.
McDonnell will swear in his Cabinet today. A first lady’s luncheon and an open house at the Executive Mansion will follow this.
McDonnell will outline his program in more detail in a State of the Commonwealth message to the General Assembly tomorrow night.
