Provide incentives for electronic medical records
"As governor, Bob McDonnell will work with the health care community to identify and execute incentives to promote increased use of electronic medical records and electronic Medicaid submissions."
Audit the Department of Medical Assistance Services
"As governor, Bob McDonnell will require an independent performance audit of the Department of Medical Assistance Services seeking cost savings while streamlining bureaucratic red tape and eliminating waste."
Increase resources to fight Medicaid fraud
"We will increase resources for the Commonwealth's Medicaid Fraud Unit at the attorney general's office."
Reduce still births, low birth weights and improve child health care
"By maintaining (Medicaid) eligibility for pregnant mothers at current levels and promoting education and care for pregnant mothers, we will reduce low birth weights, still births, and long-term health issues for children who will be enrolled after birth in Medicaid programs."
Expand the Rainy Day Fund
"I will call for an increase in the allowable size of the Rainy Day Fund, to help buttress the Commonwealth against the difficult times that we must always be prepared for."
Establish an inspector general
"Bob McDonnell will transform the state internal auditor into an inspector general with enhanced authority to proactively pursue citizen complaints concerning fraud, waste and abuse in state government."
Establish tax credit for green jobs
"Bob McDonnell will establish Virgina as a "Green Jobs Zone' to incentivize companies to create quality green jobs. Qualified businesses would be eligible to receive an income tax credit equal to $500 per position created per year for the first five years (up to 350 jobs annually).'
Expand monitoring of sexual predators
Will require intensive lifetime monitoring of violent sexual predators not eligible for civil commitment.
Seek tougher sentences for drug dealers
McDonnell will propose tougher mandatory minimum sentences for repeat drug dealers who deal controlled substances...Second-time offenders would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. Third-time offenders will face a more significant mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Seek increase in crime conviction fees
Governor McDonnell will propose an increase to the mandatory statutory fee for conviction of crimes. The fee for a misdemeanor will increase from $5 to $15, and the fee for a felony will increase from $15 to $40.
Seek adult trials for violent youths
McDonnell will propose expanding the juvenile transfer statute to require juveniles charged with repeat violent felonies to be tried as adults in circuit court.
Seek tougher penalties for crimes against elderly
McDonnell will propose legislation to create a greater deterrent for, and to punish more harshly, those crimes where the victims are ruthlessly selected due to their age and perceived vulnerability.
Seek tougher identity theft laws
McDonnell will propose legislation to toughen Virginia’s identity theft laws. Individuals who obtain identities with the intent to sell or distribute them will be subject to a Class 4 felony. Further, in addition to any other offenses (grand larceny, for example), thieves who use stolen identities to buy merchandise, to impersonate a law enforcement officer, or to impede a criminal investigation, will be subject to a Class 5 felony.
Consolidate asset forfeiture laws
Seek law establishing "gang-free zones"
Bob McDonnell will propose the expansion of “gang-free school zones,” into “gang-free zones,” similar to the “drug-free zones,” currently in our state laws.
Seek tougher penalties for gang recruitment
To adequately punish those engaged in recruiting members into gangs, McDonnell will propose that this offense be increased to a Class 6 felony. Additionally, while the current holds that an adult who solicits, invites, recruits or encourages a juvenile to actively participate or become a member of a gang is guilty of a Class 6 felony, McDonnell will propose that the General Assembly elevate this offense to a Class 5 felony.
Double the number of Governor's Career and Technical Academies
We will double the number of Governor's Career and Technical Academies that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math and career technical skills.
Consolidate workforce training programs
We will consolidate the 23 different workforce training programs we have that are currently spread across nine state agencies and make our community colleges the hub of our workforce training efforts.
Propose new methods for establishing charter schools
As governor, Bob McDonnell will propose alternative methods of establishing charter schools in Virginia, such as allowing the state Board of Education to approve applications.
Issue transportation bonds
While the General Assembly authorized $3 billion in bonds in 2007, not a single dollar of that money has been issued as of today. McDonnell will assure these bonds are issued beginning in 2010...As the economy recovers, Bob McDonnell will further seek the issuance of new bonds for highly congested areas, with a goal of issuing at least another $1 billion for priority state projects.
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