Latest news with #AndrewWheeler
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Regulatory Reform In The Old Dominion
Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia While the Trump administration is getting kudos for slowing the pace of new regulations, it is too soon to judge its efforts to roll back excessive rules from the past. In part, this is because revising rules takes time and cannot be regarded as complete until the dust settles on the ensuing litigation. As it continues its efforts, the administration might look for inspiration from Washington's neighbor to the south. The Commonwealth of Virginia is undertaking an ambitious regulatory reform agenda aimed at modernizing its regulatory framework, streamlining permitting, and ensuring regulations produce worthwhile public benefits. Yesterday, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the state had surpassed his target of cutting regulatory requirements by 25%. On taking office in 2022, Youngkin established a new Office of Regulatory Management (ORM), initially led by former federal Environmental Protection Agency head Andrew Wheeler and now directed by Reeve Bull. Bull served for more than 10 years as an attorney and research director with the Administrative Conference of the United States and brings deep federal experience to the role. ORM is patterned after the U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget; it is responsible for providing guidance to state agencies for conducting benefit-cost analysis of new regulations and for reviewing regulations before they are published to ensure they offer net public benefits. The requirement to conduct regulatory impact analysis of new regulations is a longstanding policy of the federal government and other developed countries and it's essential for sound, evidence-based policy. But it is not sufficient, in part because it evaluates new regulations one at a time without considering their cumulative impact, and in part because it is conducted before a regulation is issued, when estimates of benefits and costs are necessarily speculative. To address this problem of ever-accumulating regulations and lack of retrospective evaluation, ORM is working with agencies across the Commonwealth to identify outdated, duplicative or unnecessarily burdensome rules. This resulted in the 26.8% reduction in requirements the Governor announced yesterday. Virginia defines requirements as commands in regulatory text, such as 'shall,' 'must' or 'may not.' To illustrate, the event highlighted one regulatory change that allows businesses to harvest rainwater for non-potable uses, such as toilets, reducing costs and reducing reliance on scarce environmental resources. Not satisfied with a 26.8% reduction, Virginia is now harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to identify existing regulatory requirements that go beyond those established by authorizing statutes. While AI has occasionally been found guilty of hallucinating legal authorities, the same may be said for agencies, so this effort could identify further requirements to modify or update. Permitting reform is another cornerstone of Virginia's effort. The Virginia Permit Transparency website aims to make the permitting process more accessible and understandable to the public. By digitizing and centralizing permit information, the website makes it easier for individuals and businesses (especially small entities) to navigate regulatory requirements. A pilot by Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality reportedly reduced its average permit processing time by more than 65%. ORM estimates that its efforts to date have resulted in $1.2 billion in annual savings for Virginians, or an average of $380 per household. Virginia's approach may do more to reduce unnecessary existing red tape than President Trump's policy of eliminating 10 rules for every new one issued. As I have noted, his first term's two-for-one policy served more to slow the issuance of new regulations than actually remove many existing ones. Whether Virginia can maintain this momentum remains to be seen. Its governors can only serve one consecutive term, and Governor Youngkin has only six months left in office. The next governor could revoke his executive orders and reverse some of these policies. Indeed, the executive order that established ORM and requires regulatory analysis expires in June 2026. However, the success of the regulatory management institutions and practices may encourage future governors to continue them. At the federal level, presidents of both parties have reaffirmed the importance of benefit-cost analysis and cross-cutting regulatory oversight. ORM's emphasis on interagency collaboration, public engagement, and data-driven decision-making should have bipartisan appeal, especially if they deliver real value to citizens.
Axios
26-06-2025
- General
- Axios
Report: 80% of Des Moines river nitrates linked to farming
A new report commissioned by Polk County says that agriculture is the driving factor of high pollution levels in area rivers and streams, raising red flags about the region's drinking water and environmental health. Why it matters: The nearly 250-page "Currents of Change" report aims to deliver the most thorough river review in the metro's history. It occurs during the metro's first lawn-watering ban as high nitrate levels threaten the area's drinking water supply. Catch up quick: Polk County partnered with soil and water specialists in 2023, using $1 million in federal pandemic grant funds to review existing river data, identify research gaps and create a water quality improvement plan. It emphasizes how area waterways are vital to economic health and residents' well-being. Context: The study follows years of debate between environmental advocates and Iowa's key industry — agriculture. In 2015, DSM Water Works unsuccessfully sued three northwest Iowa counties and multiple drainage districts in federal court, accusing them of violating the Clean Water Act by not controlling nitrates more effectively. What they found: Rivers regularly contain fecal bacteria levels that go beyond safe swimming limits, according to the report. About 80% of nitrates in the DSM and Raccoon rivers are directly linked to agriculture, the report concludes. State of play: The report was expected to be released earlier this year, but the county has so far declined to make it public. Iowa Capital Dispatch obtained and first published a copy of it this week. Axios also independently obtained a copy. What they're saying: Polk County published a video about the report Thursday, noting that it will be released on July 1. "We hope that residents and community groups use this report as a guide to advocate and take positive actions to improve water quality at the local, state and national level," Polk County supervisors chairperson Matt McCoy said in a statement to Axios. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation will review the report and offer a response at a later date, spokesperson Andrew Wheeler tells Axios. Zoom in: The conclusion that the metro has a water quality issue is not new, Stephanie Oppel, executive director of the ongoing $125 million Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON) project, told the Dispatch. Yes, but: While the group doesn't dispute the data, it disagrees with its conclusion that the water might be unsafe for recreation. "All recreation is not without risk," Oppel said. The intrigue: The report recommends that local and state officials take several steps, including developing contingencies for water utilities to meet stricter nitrate drinking water standards.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New contract includes cancer screenings for firefighters
ASHLAND City commissioners passed the first reading of new contract with the local International Association of Firefighters chapter that will provide city firefighters with additional benefits, including coverage for annual full-body cancer screenings and the same health insurance benefits already offered to other city employees. With statistics showing increasing cancer rates among career firefighters related to to their exposure to hazardous materials and carcinogens on the job, the contract between the City of Ashland and Ashland City Firefighters Local 706 will provide fire personnel with preventative full-body cancer screenings yearly. According to Tuesday evening's City Commission Agenda, the screenings can catch any disease before it progresses in most cases. The contract appears to include items to equalize the city's fire personnel with other city departments, while conditions like annual cancer screenings also aim to save the city money in the long run, City Attorney Andrew Wheeler said. The three-year contract re-establishes a $850 allowance for required uniforms for new employees, the same as the Ashland Police Department, and the contract provides the same health insurance premiums and policies for fire fighters as those of other city employees. Changes from the prior contract also include updated vacation policies to increase scheduling flexibility, updated promotional process and trade policies. In other action: • City commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance permitting encroachment of the city's right-of-way to allow Sawstone Brewing space for outdoor dining outside their business at 224 15th Street. • An ordinance eliminating certain city positions and reassigning job duties to different departments passed, which Commissioner Tim Renfroe was a sign the commission is 'still trying to save every dime we can.' Positions eliminated include revenue administrator and its salary and benefits of $118,226 — now replaced with Accounting Assistant, resulting in nearly $20,000 in savings. According to the agenda, the ordinance includes various administrative changes in job descriptions. • Although Commissioner Sonny Martin said the 'yea' vote was 'with much reservation,' the board voted to pass the remaining change orders for engineering costs on the Winchester Avenue Streetscape Project. Michelle Veach, City Finance Director, said the good news, however, was those items are the final change orders associated with the project. Veach said the city is expecting two more invoices followed by construction invoices and 'then we'll be done with downtown.' Of the change orders and incoming invoices, the city expects to be reimbursed for all but $20,000.
New York Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
8 Comics to Read This Pride Month
Suburban moms, international locales, caped-and-cowled heroes and villains and a couple of autobiographical tales are all part of the mix in this collection of comic books and graphic novels celebrating L.G.B.T.Q.+ champions. Happy Pride! Hey, Mary! A teenage boy, Mark Dudyk, is struggling to reconcile his sexual identity with his Christianity. The story is thoughtful and also takes provocative leaps: Mark envisions conversations with saints whose sexuality was erased in interpretations of the Bible. The soldiers and martyrs Sergius and Bacchus, who are drawn here with the chiseled good looks of runway models, present a simple truth: 'There have always been queer people, since before we had the language for it.' Written by Andrew Wheeler and drawn by Rye Hickman. (Oni Press. Available now.) Love Languages Sarah Huxley and Ping Loh have their meet-cute moment in Paris when Sarah, trying to avoid two aggressive mimes, stumbles on a street and Ping comes to her aid. An unlikely relationship begins — one that has to surmount a language barrier: The women communicate haltingly in English, French and Cantonese. (The word balloons include English translations of what is being spoken.) There is a joyous moment for the women when Sarah finally gets the hang of Cantonese. By James Albon. (Top Shelf. Available Now.) Motherlover Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paragon Films announces expansion into Mexico
US-based stretch films maker Paragon Films has unveiled plans to extend its manufacturing operations into Mexico. The company will acquire a new plant in San Luis Potosí to enhance its production capabilities and bolster its presence in crucial markets throughout Mexico and the wider continent. Equipped with Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) machinery, the new facility will enhance Paragon Films' production efficiency. This new plant will complement Paragon Films' existing sites in Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Washington in the US. The new location will also streamline logistics and cut transportation costs within the region. The expansion is expected to have a positive economic impact by generating multiple job opportunities in San Luis Potosí. Paragon Films says it is committed to integrating environmentally friendly practices at the new plant. This supports the company's broader sustainability goals across its global operations. The new facility is expected to be fully operational by December 2025. Paragon Films CEO Darin Tang said: 'We are thrilled to expand our operations into Mexico. 'This new facility will not only allow us to better serve our growing customer base but also demonstrates our dedication to investing in the latest W&H technology to maintain our position as an industry leader.' Headquartered in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Paragon Films continues to focus on developing stretch film technologies that aid customers in meeting their sustainability objectives. W&H North America president Andrew Wheeler said: 'W&H is excited to support Paragon Films in enhancing their position within the stretch film industry.' "Paragon Films announces expansion into Mexico" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
