Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

Youngkin Largely Opts for Stability in State Government Management

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Dick Hall-Sizemore
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by Dick Hall-Sizemore

Virginia has a tradition of continuity in state government.  Generally, incumbent agency heads are reappointed, even if the new governor is of a different party than the outgoing governor and new Cabinet members are put in place. There have been many agency heads who have served multiple governors, of both parties, over the course of their careers. There is invariably some turnover. New governors often are looking for a change in direction in some high-profile agencies; some longtime agency heads are ready to retire and do not seek reappointment. But, by and large, there is stability.

With his appointments so far, Governor Youngkin is on track to maintain that tradition. Of the 34 agency head appointments announced, 20 were reappointments and 14 are new to their jobs.

These are the agencies getting new leadership:

  • Dept. of Education
  • Dept. of Aviation
  • Dept. of Juvenile Justice
  • Dept. of Veterans Services
  • Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Dept. of Housing and Community Development
  • Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation
  • Dept. of Labor and Industry
  • Dept. of Environmental Quality
  • Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
  • Dept. of Emergency Management
  • Virginia Parole Board
  • Virginia Information Technologies Agency (the governor’s appointee stepped down after less than a month)

These are the agencies whose directors were reappointed:

  • Dept of Transportation
  • Dept. of Health Professions
  • Dept of the Treasury
  • Dept. of Corrections
  • Dept of General Services
  • Dept. of Human Resources Management
  • Dept. of Forestry
  • Dept. of Taxation
  • Dept. for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
  • Dept. for the Blind and Vision Handicapped
  • Dept. of Medical Assistance Services
  • Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation
  • Dept. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Dept. of State Police
  • Dept. of Criminal Justice Services
  • Dept. of Accounts
  • Dept. of Military Affairs
  • Gunston Hall
  • Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth
  • Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority

All the appointments for the agencies listed above are awaiting confirmation by the General Assembly. The confirming resolution (SJR 83) was passed unanimously by the Senate and is on the floor of the House. There are still some agencies remaining for which no announcement has been made. Until Youngkin makes an appointment, they will continue to be run by the directors in place at the beginning of his term.

Finally, there are two agencies with acting directors, the Department of Health and the Department of Planning and Budget (DPB). In the case of DPB, Jon Howe was appointed acting director when Dan Timberlake announced his retirement in early January. Howe is a long-time employee of DPB and was a senior manager when he was designated acting director. If “acting” is removed from his title, that could be considered as opting for continuity.

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26 responses to “Youngkin Largely Opts for Stability in State Government Management”

  1. Stephen Haner Avatar
    Stephen Haner

    Often the question is, does the incoming Governor have somebody else in mind or some supporter asking for a particular appointment? Somebody that they need to consider? In that case the incumbent might get a hard look for possible replacement. But in general, I agree, there is stability in those jobs (and sometimes even at the cabinet level) and that serves the state well.

  2. James Wyatt Whitehead Avatar
    James Wyatt Whitehead

    I had no idea that George Mason’s Gunston Hall reported directly to the Governor. I would love to know the back story to that.

    1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
      Dick Hall-Sizemore

      Here is some of the back story from Wikipedia:

      The mansion stayed in the Mason family until 1867.[17] From 1868 to 1891, it was owned by Edward Daniels, a Virginia newspaper publisher and Reconstruction Era politician, who was a former Union cavalry officer and ardent abolitionist. In 1912, it was bought by retired Marshall Field & Company executive, Louis Hertle, whose second wife, Eleanor Daughaday, was a member of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America.[18]
      They set about restoring the mansion to its original plan and hostedmany prominent guests. In 1949, Hertle in his will gave the property to the Commonwealth of Virginia as a museum to be run by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America.

  3. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    Is flipping 40+% of agency heads really considered stability? Does this line up historically? I have no idea how to judge that figure…

    1. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      The human uses 10% of the brain. So, wiping out 4% probably ain’t all that bad… a night of drunken debauchery, so to speak.

    2. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
      Dick Hall-Sizemore

      It is a good question. Northam is not a good comparision because the Governor’s Mansion did not change parties. A better point of comparison would be McAuliffe, a Democrat succeed a Republican. In looking at those numbers, I was surprised at the turnover. Of 43 agency head appointments, 24 were new. Therefore, so far, Youngkin has been less likely to replace agency heads than McAuliffe was. In the end, this shows that most Virginia agencies are led by professionals, rather than political ideologues.

    3. WayneS Avatar
      WayneS

      I found a “Blue Virginia” article dated 12/19/2017 in which seven appointments (three of them reappointments) by gov-elect Northam were announced.

      https://bluevirginia.us/2017/12/governor-elect-ralph-northam-announces-administration-appointments

      I found a second “Blue Virginia” article dated 12/22/2017 which announced 16 more appointments (ten of them reappointments).

      https://bluevirginia.us/2017/12/gov-elect-northam-announces-16-more-administration-appointments

      That’s a total of 23 appointees with 13 reappointments and 10 new faces (a little more than 43% ‘turnover’) .

      Those are obviously not all the appointments Mr. Northam made, but it’s a pretty good sample. It’s also the limits of the time I’m willing to spend on the issue.
      If you want to delve deeper or find data on other past governors feel free to do your own research.

      I’m going to trust Mr. Hall -Sizemore when he says our new governor is on track to maintain the tradition of stability in state government.

      1. Eric the half a troll Avatar
        Eric the half a troll

        Thanks – that answers my question and I think it supports your conclusions.

  4. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    Institutional Memory — A terrible thing to waste.

    1. WayneS Avatar
      WayneS

      It depends on which institution you were in…

      1. Nancy Naive Avatar
        Nancy Naive

        Marriage is a fine institution, if you don’t mind living in an institution.

        Loss of institutional memory results in 2nd marriages.

  5. Kathleen Smith Avatar
    Kathleen Smith

    I don’t see the Virginia Employment Commission. Why? I really don’t know, thought you might?

    1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
      Dick Hall-Sizemore

      You are correct and my face is flushed with embarassment. It was on my list and I overlooked it when I was writing the article. So, that is 35 agencies; 20 incumbents and 15 newbies.

      1. Stephen Haner Avatar
        Stephen Haner

        But again, to your point, some of the “newbies” have plenty of prior state service, often in the same agency. Some of those who departed took the transition as a time to retire.

  6. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    AUCTION! AUCTION! AUCTION!

    C’mon down to Crazy Zelenshyy’s and drive away with a lightly used Russian-made truck!

    Rubles on the penny! Plenty to choose from.

    Bring your own gas.

    1. WayneS Avatar
      WayneS

      Do you think he could set me up with a lightly used AK-12?

      1. Nancy Naive Avatar
        Nancy Naive

        Alas, no. That’s how he gets the trucks.

  7. John Bello Avatar
    John Bello

    You left the Virginia Marine Resource Commission out of your article. The previous Commissioner, who did an excellent job, retired. Any insights on his potential replacement?

    1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
      Dick Hall-Sizemore

      I left out those agencies for which an appointment has not been announced–there are several.

      No, I am in no position to speculate on who may be appointed to head VMRC. That is an agency totally out of my experience, although I did know a former commissioner, Bill Pruitt. I see that Justin Worrell has been appointed acting commissioner. I did not realize that or I would have included it in the article.

  8. DJRippert Avatar
    DJRippert

    Given that Virginia (in its infinite wisdom) is the only state where the governor can’t run for a second consecutive term I’d say that maintaining stability inside the state government is a good idea.

    1. James Wyatt Whitehead Avatar
      James Wyatt Whitehead

      I like Virginia’s one term rule Mr. DJ. I can’t think of one governor in my lifetime that was worthy of a second term. I would consider 1 term for 6 years. That is enough time for one executive to move the needle.

      1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
        Dick Hall-Sizemore

        Limited to one four-year term is a bad idea. A governor really does not have enough time to get his agenda established. He only gets to prepare one budget himself and he doesn’t even get to see it through, for example. His senior staff and Cabinet members start bailing out after about 3 1/2 years. Warner and Kaine would have been good to have around for second terms.

        1. James Wyatt Whitehead Avatar
          James Wyatt Whitehead

          To me this is a good example of limiting the executive branch on purpose. Never liked Warner, Kaine, Allen, Gilmore, or any of them for more than 4 years.

  9. John Bello Avatar
    John Bello

    I didnt see the Virginia Marine Resource Commission listed. The previous commissioner retired. There was no mention in your article. Any insights?

  10. James C. Sherlock Avatar
    James C. Sherlock

    The Health Commissioner is a big job with a very important Department to lead and manage. I, like you, do not know if the Acting Commissioner is meant as a full time replacement for the weak predecessor. We’ll see.

  11. James Avatar
    James

    Several of those Agency heads on the reappointed list are there only through 120 days temporary reappointment. I think you will see more changes post GA

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