(The Jefferson Policy Journal is running a column from Just Facts Daily and hope these issues generate a robust conversation with our readers. You can read other “facts” from this publication here.) While arguing that safety-net programs should be strengthened because they don’t do an adequate job of protecting the...
“Open government” and “transparent government” are the current code words for “good government.” Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors, however, seem to lack a basic understanding that in today’s world taxpayers’ money should be budgeted and not available as a “slush fund” to be used as the Supervisors want. This...
In today’s age we hear a lot about energy efficiency and sustainability. As consumers, we are encouraged to be environmentally conscious and as an enticement we even get tax credits for purchasing energy efficient (Energy Star) devices. Environmental responsibility is important and both individuals and public entities must be proactive...
Advocates of economic growth have often locked horns with environmental organizations. Typically the green groups claim to be concerned about water sources, suburban sprawl, or some other local matter. But growth advocates in Virginia have recently confronted something entirely new: environmental groups claiming Virginians are harming not the local environment...
On May 27, 2010, Governor Bob McDonnell announced that Yorktown-based Orion Air Group, “one of the world’s leading operators of business aircraft,” would invest $4 million to consolidate its operations in Newport News. The project would create 51 new jobs within the next 12 months with an average salary of...
Democrats in the Virginia State Senate are holding the state budget hostage over their bruised feelings following November’s losses. The Washington Post reported February 23 that “Democrats have tried to use the state budget to regain power in the evenly split Senate, which Republicans have been able to control with...
(This column ran in the Richmond Times Dispatch on February 13, 2012.) Frantically, many Virginia Retirement System (VRS) stakeholders have asked me: “Are we really in a financial danger zone?” With the potential McDonnell infusion of $2.21 billion to VRS, my response elevates to “not likely.” When I began a...
(Editor’s note: Jim Bacon is one of our state’s best out of the box, yet practical thinkers. This column first ran in the Virginia Pilot on Christmas Day 2011.) While Virginia’s Public Private Partnership Act may be experiencing growing pains as projects from the Midtown and Downtown tunnels to HOT...
(This article first ran in the Richmond Times Dispatch on February 6, 2012) We’ve heard a lot about the need for college degrees. Individuals with college degrees on average get paid more and have skills that transfer to more occupations than their non-degreed counterparts. Taken together, higher skills lead to...
(This article first ran in the Richmond Times Dispatch on February 6, 2012) We’ve heard a lot about the need for college degrees. Individuals with college degrees on average get paid more and have skills that transfer to more occupations than their non-degreed counterparts. Taken together, higher skills lead to...
