As a former governor and senator for Virginia and working with business people in the private sector, I have had thousands of chances to see the strength of our commonwealth’s manufacturing sector and the competition they face in other states and countries.
Today, manufacturing employs some 230,000 hardworking Virginians in well-paying jobs. The work of these men and women contributes more than $42 billion to Virginia’s economy.
So when groups outside Virginia conspire to threaten our proud manufacturing tradition and competitiveness, I say it’s time to flash caution lights. We need to be prepared to fight back. What is this threat? Across America today — from Rhode Island to California and as nearby as neighboring Maryland — specialty trial lawyers and politicians are teaming up to sue manufacturers.