The VMA has been working on its MFG Makes VA campaign to mobilize our members, their employees and retirees, and our suppliers to support pro-manufacturing candidates for elected office this fall. We will be releasing new tools and resources weekly until election day. The stakes could not be higher this time: Right-to-Work, Affordable Energy, and Regulatory Balance are all on the line this election.

Speaking of election day, please encourage your colleagues, employees, retirees, and suppliers to vote early. Early voting begins September 17 in the Commonwealth of Virginia and full details on absentee ballots, mail-in ballots, and in-person early voting are available here. In fact, I challenge each member to motivate five people to vote early, because this will determine the outcome of many races.

In a recent member poll, 71% indicated that the recent political changes are resulting in public policies that make VA manufacturers less competitive. In the same poll, members ranked their public policy concerns as: 1) environmental regulation; 2) employment and labor regulation (e.g., Right-to-Work, COVID-19, Marijuana); 3) energy affordability; 4) workforce development; and 5) taxation. To help members draw contrasts between candidates for elected office, the VMAPAC has developed a comprehensive candidate survey. The survey asks 31 questions in six areas of interest (workforce, environment/health/safety, taxation, economic development, transportation, and association cooperation). The first question asked is as follows:

Results will be published on the new MFG Makes VA campaign website.

We have also published the 2021 Legislative Competitiveness Scorecard for the VA General Assembly. Vote scores are counted for 56 bills in 2020 and 45 bills in 2021. Legislators are given credit for voting for the VMA position and penalized for voting against it. All legislators receive a grade (A-F). Legislators scoring 70% or better receive the VMAPAC Legislative Competitiveness Certificate. The top 3 vote scores in the House and Senate receive the distinguished VMAPAC Industrial Strength Leadership Award and financial contribution to their political campaign. To host an event at your business for a Certificate or Award recipient, please contact Kimberly Noonan, VMA Member Services Director. Click here to view this year's report.

Finally, Virginia's manufacturing sector ranks dead last in political giving among all sectors. We can and must do better this year! If we lose Right-to-Work, there is no turning back. So, the VMAPAC has set a goal of raising $100,000 for worthy candidates during this year's election. We have helped directly and indirectly raise over $30,000, and we need your help to get across the finish line. So, if you are willing to donate to the VMAPAC, we can take personal, corporate, or PAC contributions. The funds will be used to support pro-manufacturing candidates. Contact Kelly Stevens, VMA Accounting & Finance Director, for more information.

In closing, the next seven weeks will determine the future of the Commonwealth. Do we want to become just like the states in the Northeast or West Coast? Or, do we want to help put Virginia on a different path toward greater economic prosperity for all citizens without the massive regulatory, tax, and organized labor costs imposed on our businesses, families, employees, and retirees? There's an old axiom, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got." Let's do something different this election: let's actively support pro-manufacturing candidates, let's get our employee network engaged with the MFG Makes Virginia campaign, and let's get out the vote!

The Virginia Safety & Health Codes Board adopted revisions to 16VAC25-220 on June 29, 2021, and August 26, 2021. The FPS was published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and became effective September 8, 2021. A detailed Bulletin & Alert has been distributed to VMA members for the purpose of highlighting significant amendments and remaining challenges with the 16VAC25-220 FPS.

The highlighted amendments in the B&A do not detail every change to the FPS. To review every change, please click here. To access the FPS, please click here.

OSHA will issue a new national Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) as announced by President Joe Biden. It will mandate all workplaces with 100+ employees to require employee vaccination or conduct weekly testing of those not fully vaccinated. Employees must also be paid for time-off to test. President Biden also issued an Executive Order requiring Federal contractors to vaccinate their employees. Full details of “President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan” are here.

In light of President Biden's recent Executive Order on Federal contractors and announcement that OSHA will be developing an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that will mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees working for employers of 100 or more employees, the VMA Board of Directors adopted a new COVID-19 Vaccination Public Policy to clarify our position on the subject and help member companies with their own statements. The VMA policy is as follows:

Formerly "Friends of Manufacturing," NAM's community of manufacturing supporters is stronger and more diverse than ever. From shopfloor machine operators and small business owners to those who simply support the vital role of manufacturing in their communities, Manufacutrers United's collective strength and commitment to action takes their advocacy campaign to the next level. Learn more about how to take action with Manufacturers United here.

VMAPAC published the 2020-2021 Legislative Competitiveness Scorecard in August

This document counts Virginia General Assembly vote scores on 56 bills in 2020 and 45 bills in 2021. Legislators are given credit for voting for the VMA position and penalized for voting against it.

Click on the cover to read through the scorecard, see who the top legislators were in 2021, and find out how your Delegate and Senator voted alongside the VMA position in both years.

VMAPAC encourages all VMA members to "Support Those That Support Us" this election. The goal is to raise $100,000 for top candidates this year. To contribute $50 or $50,000, contact Brett Vassey.

Join us for the VMA’s premiere event of the year, where Virginia industry environmental leaders, regulators, legislators and allies join together for sharing information, best practices and technology. Participants also explore the affordability and sustainability of regulations on the Virginia economy. The 2021 VEHS Conference will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 21st through Thursday, September 23rd, with an in-person networking event on the evening of September 23rd at Triple Crossing Beer (Fulton location).

Share your nominations with Kimberly Noonan at knoonan@vamanufacturers to have your nominees recognized at this year's WiM Leadership Conference.

View the nomination guide for more details on eligibility, selection process and key dates, and submit your nominations here before the Oct. 1 deadline.

The Manufacturers Premier program offers comprehensive coverage and flexible options tailored to meet the specific needs of the manufacturing industry.

Underwritten by FCCI and administered by Bankers Insurance LLC, this tailored coverage for manufacturers offers:

With questions about the Manufacturers Premier program, or other available VMA Business Services, contact VMA Member Services Coordinator Kate Kapottos for more information.

Click Here to Register for individual sessions, or the entire series.