Economic Opportunity

The 40-hour workweek and time-and-a-half for overtime work are cornerstones of a strong and fair economy. Unfortunately, overtime protections have been allowed to become badly out-of-date. On Wednesday, the Obama administration announced an update to the rule that will give millions more Americans overtime protections and clarify protections for millions more.

Productivity growth can be a driver of growing compensation and increased living standards. Increased employment can be an important way to make sure the gains of the economy are shared with more workers and families. Virginia’s economy is getting healthier, but it still needs consistent increased employment and increased productivity in a broad range of sectors to make up for missed growth over the last eight years.

There are finally more jobs in Virginia than before the recession started eight years ago. Today, workers in high-wage occupations, certain industries such as education and health services, and several of Virginia’s larger communities are better off than before the recession.

Virginia’s legislators often like to appear tough on crime, yet they rejected funding to properly investigate certain types of crimes and violations that occur in the workplace. Legislators rejected funding that the governor recommended to address a backlog of wage violation claims and to conduct necessary health, safety, and youth employment inspections.

WTVR-6 Two legislators from Northern Virginia want the state to provide driver’s licenses to qualified immigrants living in...