The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) is a self-described “non-partisan research organization” dedicated to providing “accurate, timely, and straightforward information” about tax policies. In a new report on state and local taxes, ITEP declares that “virtually every state’s tax system is fundamentally unfair,” because they take “a much...
The potential loss of at least $300 million in state transportation funds from the failed Route 460 Project (from Hampton Roads to Richmond) served as the catalyst for 2015 reforms to Virginia’s Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA). Legislation (HB 1886) endorsed by both Governor McAuliffe and the leadership of the Virginia...
Sarah Burd-Sharps and Kristen Lewis, authors of “Geographies of Opportunity,” provide a state-by-state and congressional district-by-congressional district measurement of “well-being” across the United States. Overall, Virginia fares reasonably well in the report, scoring 11th overall. Well-being is determined by a set of measures for life expectancy, education and median income. But...
According to an article by Susan Buse in the annual Tolling Review produced by Thinking Highways, as of the end of 2014 there were 28 tolled managed lane projects in operation in 10 states plus Puerto Rico, with another 18 either under construction or nearing construction. The projects already in...
(Editor’s Note: Virginia’s farmers could well be impacted by this law suit.) Des Moines, Iowa Water Works has filed a federal lawsuit against three Iowa counties, several drainage districts and Iowa’s farmers. DMWW claims the drainage districts are point sources under the Clean Water Act. DMWW seems to forget about the CWA’s “agriculture storm...
While the political season seems to never end, with presidential elections looming we are starting to hear again that “the rich aren’t paying their fair share.” We could spend a lot of time arguing over what is fair. I am not one who believes progressively higher taxation with higher income...
Although the expansion of Medicaid has been defeated in Virginia, advocates of Obamacare and for expansion of Medicaid under this program vow to keep the issue alive. One argument: That hospitals need the expansion to stay alive. But this new study shows otherwise.
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Although the expansion of Medicaid has been defeated in the Virginia General Assembly, the advocates of Obamacare and for expansion of Medicaid under this program vow to keep this issue alive. It could well be an issue in this fall’s state elections. Last September the Thomas Jefferson Institute published a...
Last December, Rolling Stone magazine published a lengthy article entitled “A Rape on Campus” that described in graphic detail a horrific 2012 gang-rape at a University of Virginia fraternity house. The story went viral globally, damaging the reputation of one of the most respected public universities in the nation. Almost...
Jefferson Journal: Keep Private Money in Road Projects
Congestion relief is badly needed in the Interstate 66 corridor, and it seems clear that a well-designed and executed HOT Lanes project is the way to go. When it comes to financing that project, though, let’s make certain Virginia recognizes that repeating the mistakes of the failed Route 460 Project...