Return to Virginia Business - January 2002

Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, based in Richmond, represents 62 members accounting for 100 hospitals, plus long-term care facilities and health plans
Key issues: Emergency preparedness and proper coordination among state agencies and hospitals; work force issues such as staffing shortages in hospitals; healthcare deregulation/Certificate of Public Need

Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, based in Richmond, represents 585 new car and truck dealers
Key issues: VADA doesn't have a specific agenda this session, but will monitor legislation that affects the business climate and economy

Home Builders Association of Virginia, based in Richmond, represents 4,500-plus member firms
Key issues: growth management; building permits

Medical Society of Virginia, based in Richmond, represents 8,000 physicians
Key issues: emergency preparedness; funding academic health centers; healthcare deregulation/Certificate of Public Need

Dominion, based in Richmond, represents 2 million Virginia customers
Key issues: implementation of electric utility deregulation; health care costs for business; K-12 and higher education improvement.

Virginia Education Association, based in Richmond, represents 60,000 teachers and retirees
Key issues: Raises for teachers; improving the multiplier in the Virginia Retirement Fund affecting teachers; K-12 education initiatives

National Rifle Association, based in Fairfax, represents 115,000 Virginia members; state affiliate Virginia Sports Shooting Association has 4,200 members with much crossover
Key issues: local preemption laws that affect state gun laws; easing restrictions on concealed weapons law

Verizon, Virginia operations based in Richmond, represents 2.8 million customers and 4.4 million access lines
Key issues: Monitoring any efforts to stimulate further deployment of broadband technology

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, based in Richmond, represents 36,000 farm families
Key issues: Funding for conservation and best management practices; cabinet-level post for agriculture and forestry secretary; funding for the agriculture vitality program.

Vectre Corp., based in Richmond, represents clients including Sentara Healthcare, American Home Products and Old Dominion Highway Contractors. Municipal clients include cities of Portsmouth and Virginia Beach
Key issues: State budget; Healthcare deregulation/COPN; pharmaceutical legislation; worker's compensation