Virginia achieves historic regulatory reform savings worth billions

On July 8, 2025, Virginia announced significant progress in regulatory reform, having surpassed a 25 percent reduction goal for regulatory requirements within its Administrative Code. This initiative is led by Governor Glenn Youngkin, who established the Office of Regulatory Management (ORM) in 2022 to implement these reforms. The 26.8 percent reduction has resulted in annual savings of more than $1.2 billion for the Commonwealth, highlighting a data-driven alternative to federal cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The reforms have led to various benefits, including faster licensing at the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, which reduced approval times from 33 days to just five days. This streamlining has generated an additional $179 million in earnings for workers. Moreover, revisions to stormwater permitting processes have produced savings of $124 million, while a new permitting framework by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission has reduced costs by another $47 million. These measures illustrate how targeted regulatory changes can foster economic growth and productivity. The implementation of these reforms has also been supported by an updated cost-benefit analysis framework, which lends credibility to their success and outcomes. One of the noteworthy aspects of this approach is the launch of the Virginia Permit Transparency (VPT) portal in 2024, allowing users to track over 100,000 permits issued annually. This level of transparency not only improves public oversight but also enables agencies to monitor application progress effectively, ultimately fostering a more accountable administrative process. While the DOGE has made headlines with its more aggressive cuts to staff and contracts, the Virginia ORM's strategy is rooted in systematic analysis and evidence-based decision-making. The thoughtful, methodical approach taken by Virginia in regulatory modernization serves as a potential model for both state and federal governments. By focusing on measurable gains and cost-saving opportunities, Virginia's ORM exemplifies how state initiatives can lead to substantial economic benefits and improved governance.