RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed 10 Executive Orders targeted to make Virginia more affordable on her first day in office. On Saturday, Jan. 17, Spanberger was sworn into office as Virginia's first female governor. On day one, she signed 10 Executive Orders at the state capito l to mark the beginning of her term, according to a press release. Spanberger's first three orders included directing the executive branches and the governor's secretaries to find ways to reduce Virginia's living expenses for families, creating an Interagency Health Financing Task Force to reduce healthcare costs and requiring a review of regulations and practices that support housing development and decrease housing costs. Other orders that were signed include continuing Virginia's growth in public schools, assisting workers and businesses in Virginia with the cutback on federal workers, tarriffs and healthcare cuts and ensuring Virginia's communities stay safe. “Today, we are responding to the moment. We are setting the tone for what Virginians can expect over the next four years: pragmatic leadership focused on lowering costs and delivering results,” said Spanberger. “My administration is getting to work on Day One to address the top-of-mind challenges facing families by lowering costs for Virginians in every community, building a stronger economy for every worker, and making sure that every student in the Commonwealth receives a high-quality education that sets them up for success. These executive orders represent the first steps in our work to create a stronger, safer, and — critically — more affordable future for our Commonwealth.” Spanberger's day one Executive Orders include: Statewide Affordability Directive This order required the Governor's Secretaries and all executive branch agencies to submit, within 90 days, a report that would reduce living costs in Virginia. This includes savings in areas such as housing, healthcare, energy, education, childcare and everyday expenses. Interagency Health Financing Task Force This established the cross-agency Interagency Health Financing Task Force, which is located within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. It will create a unified financial strategy to "maximize federal funding, reduce duplicative spending and strengthen Virginia’s long-term healthcare infrastructure," per the release. This new task force was created to locate any initiatives and services that are at the highest risk of losing funds. The task force is also directed to work with the Chief Transformation Office and the Secretary of Administration to review systems in order to avoid duplication in technology platforms, licensing and procurement. Housing Development Regulation Review This order created a review of regulations and practices that affect housing developments to get rid of unnecessary requirements, streamline approvals and reduce restrictions on housing production. It also established a Commission on Unlocking Housing Protection to assist the governor on ways to increase housing supplies. This commission will work with agencies to recommend legislative, regulatory and administrative changes to improve Virginia's housing supply. High Quality Public Education Directive This order is targeted to improve academics in Virginia by directing the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to strengthen schools in literacy, mathematics, school accountability and assessment. Workgroups will be implemented to improve the Virginia Literacy Act and expand efforts for advanced mathematics. VDOE will also review data from the 2025 JLARC report to improve schools for students, educators and families. This order also affirms the rights and protections for students, parents and teachers to produce the best educational experience for the community, regardless of background. As well as directing state leaders to assist local school divisions with promoting accessibility, preventing discrimination, closing opportunity gaps and supporting student well-being, according to the release. The Secretary of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction will also conduct a statewide listening tour to learn directly from students, parents, educators, superintendents and school leaders about classroom success and challenges. Federal Impact Assessment This order established the Economic Resiliency Task Force, which will respond to federal workforce firings, funding cuts, tariffs and immigration impacts. It also directs agencies to implement the H.R. 1 changes to Medicaid and SNAP, while also protecting access, expanding job placement for displaced federal workers and contractors and creating ways to grow agriculture and forestry exports within Virginia. Board of Visitors Appointment Process Reviews This order directed VDOE and the Secretary of the Commonwealth to review and discuss any appointed member for higher education's governing boards. It will also require a report to the governor on "potential legislative or policy changes to terms, reappointments, start dates and the evaluation process for appointees," per the release. State of Emergency Authority This order created a group consisting of the Chief of Staff and select designated cabinet officials, with the authority to declare a state of emergency and activate the Virginia National Guard if the governor is unavailable. However, the order allows the governor to continue having full authority at any time. Chief of Staff Authority and Responsibility This order states that planning, budgetary, personnel and administrative authority is vested in the Chief of Staff, but the governor will still make the final decision on key matters. As well as allowing the Chief of Staff to act on major policy, budget and personnel issues and run the governor's office when they are unavailable. Equal Opportunity Policy It created a non-discrimination policy across the state government that prohibits discrimination in employment, appointments, procurement and public services on a broad range of certain characteristics, as well as veterans and people with disabilities. Law Enforcement This order revoked Executive Order 47, which required and encouraged state and local law enforcement to use resources to enforce federal immigration laws. It encouraged public safety across Virginia by requiring law enforcement to focus on criminal activity, staffing jails and community engagement, per the release. ...read more read less