Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Business Law
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • Coronavirus 2020
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Vote Now for Women in Leadership
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read the issue
    • Order a copy
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Nominate execs for 2021

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Home News Northam seeks to include part-time workers in state IRA fund

Northam seeks to include part-time workers in state IRA fund

Other bills expanding rail service, broadband and alcohol service signed into law

Published March 26, 2021 by Kate Andrews

Del. Luke Torian will lead the newly organized Virginia Minority Business Commission.
Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has proposed a change to a bill to allow part-time employees to participate in a newly created state-administered retirement fund for workers without 401(k) access, the governor’s office announced Friday.

Northam also has signed legislation expanding an existing broadband pilot program to increase internet access in underserved areas of the state, and another measure codifying restaurants’ right to serve alcohol outside and during permitted events, which became policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor also signed into law a measure creating an authority to support passenger rail expansion west of Roanoke.

Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, sponsored HB 2174, which directs the Virginia College Savings Plan to create the VirginiaSaves individual retirement account for eligible nongovernmental employees of small businesses who don’t have access to retirement plans. Under the current legislation, the program was available only to people employed at least 30 hours a week — a requirement the governor suggested striking. The House of Delegates will have to take up the recommended change when it reconvenes on April 7.

In response, Nicole Riley, director of the Virginia chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, released a statement: “Small business owners across Virginia are deeply concerned with this move by the governor. Here’s why this bill is bad for small business: It would require our already struggling small business owners to participate in a government-mandated program at a time when they are already burdened with COVID-19 mandates and revenue losses.

“Our members ask legislators to reject the governor’s amendment and support employees’ choice as well as mitigate the administrative burden on small businesses,” Riley added.

Northam signed a measure that creates the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority, which would support passenger rail expansion west of Roanoke in Planning District 4, legislation sponsored by Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, and Del. Chris Hurst, D-Roanoke. He also signed legislation sponsored by Del. Hala Ayala, D-Prince William, and Edwards to expand the broadband pilot program authorizing Dominion Energy Inc. and Appalachian Power to make capacity available to internet service providers. The current program is restricted to nongovernmental internet service providers.

Finally, the governor signed into law a current pandemic policy allowing restaurants more leeway to serve alcohol outside, which was included in state policy to help restaurants suffering financially. Identical bills sponsored by Ayala and Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, allow the board of directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to increase the number of events held by a business per year — currently limited to 16 — if a locality adopts an ordinance seeking expansion. The law also increases state and local license fees for such outdoor events.

Subscribe to Virginia Business.

Get our daily e-newsletter.

 

Related Stories

Tuition-free program for eligible community college students becomes law

"Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back" provides grants for low- and middle-income students

Del. Guzman, D-Woodbridge, stands with Biden supporters raising support for workers rights for essential workers. (Photo courtesy Elizabeth Guzman)

Virginia House advances paid leave bill for essential workers

Bill would require one paid hour off for every 30 worked

marijuana

Lawmakers OK recreational marijuana, cultivation

As of July 1, Virginians over 21 will be able to possess up to 1 ounce for personal use

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk