Virginia’s Paid Family Medical Leave Act Would be Among the Most Expansive and Expensive in the Country
Governor Abigail Spanberger campaigned on a promise to sign “paid family and medical leave” when it reaches her desk. But popular vote-getting concepts often ignore the damaging impact such policies have once they are implemented. Virginia’s proposed paid family and medical leave program (SB2)/(HB1207) is a case study in how expansive design choices can turn a popular benefit idea […]
Congratulations to Governor Abigail Spanberger on Her Historic Inauguration — A Call for Collaboration and Principled Debate
For Immediate Release By the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy Date: January 17, 2026 Today, the Thomas Jefferson Institute congratulates Governor Abigail Spanberger on her historic inauguration as the 75th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia — and the first woman in the nearly 250-year history of the Commonwealth to hold this office. Her […]
“Affordability” is a Feel-Good Slogan that Ignores Difficult Economic Tradeoffs
“Affordability” has become the most powerful word in modern politics – and nowhere more than here in Virginia. Candidates promised “affordable housing,” “affordable health care,” “affordable energy,” and “affordable child care,” often without defining what affordability means or acknowledging the tradeoffs required to achieve it. Now in office, the progressives in the General Assembly have even crafted a slick video to show […]
Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth Highlights Virginia’s Commonsense Renaissance
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s final State of the Commonwealth address last night offered more than a farewell, it served as an empirical rebuttal to the claim that conservative, pro-growth governance, like those supported by the Thomas Jefferson Institute, cannot deliver tangible results. By every meaningful metric — jobs, investment, education outcomes, revenue growth, and regulatory efficiency […]
Trump’s Pause on Offshore Wind: A Chance for Reform, or a Step Towards Cancellation
President Trump’s decision to suspend Dominion Energy’s massive Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project is sure to stir up another gale of political fights across the Commonwealth. While some will hail it as a triumph for fiscal and national security; others will see it as an assault on clean energy. Both sides are worthy of debate before […]
No Energy Crisis Debate? A Last Minute Redistricting Amendment? Virginians Deserved Better Before Today’s Vote
With election day now upon us, Virginia voters were short-changed this election cycle while Democracy is literally being threatened! Virginians were limited to one, short, poorly controlled debate for Governor, one equally short, but slightly more substantive debate for Attorney General, and zero debates for Lt. Governor – unless, of course, you count the surreal […]
Don’t Bet Against Virginia: Why the State’s Economy Is Stronger Than the Headlines Suggest and Progressives Shout
If you only read the headlines, you might think Virginia’s economy is teetering on the brink. A recent Cardinal News story declared that the Commonwealth’s GDP growth has fallen from 6.2 percent to 1.7 percent, and touted warning signs spelled out in “three new (economic) reports” that claim to show serious trouble ahead. Setting aside the fact […]
The Most Watched AG Debate in History?
Last night’s only debate for Attorney General of Virginia between incumbent AG Jason Miyares and Delegate Jay Jones was spirited, well-moderated, and covered dozens of key topics. Sadly, the debate occurred after over 600,000 Virginians had already cast their ballots and before over half of those early voters had heard of the news of the […]
Clear Losers in Last Night’s Gubernatorial Debate and a Summary of Key Positions Taken
Last night’s first and final Virginia gubernatorial debate between Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger had one clear loser — the approximately 446,000 Commonwealth voters who had already cast their early ballots. For a state that has such a storied civic heritage, relying on a single, late-stage debate fails the test of responsible governance. The increase […]
Today’s Directive by Governor Youngkin to the Board of Health on School Bathrooms is Right: School Bathrooms are a Serious and Growing Health Issue
The debate over school bathrooms has taken center stage in Virginia’s campaign for Governor. More than a political flashpoint, however, school restrooms are a little-understood source of profound anxiety, embarrassment, and even physical illness that directly undermines student learning. Today, Governor Youngkin issued a directive to the Virginia Board of Health to promulgate regulations addressing this serious health concern […]