The Trade Policies of Both Candidates are Bad for Virginia
One issue that is not getting enough attention in this election, especially for its impact on Virginia, is the growing “anti-trade” mentality of both major parties. In Tuesday’s debate, former President Donald Trump stated, “other countries are going to finally, after 75 years, pay us back for all that we’ve done for the world, and the tariff […]
Two Tax Reforms a Stalemated General Assembly Could Agree To
During his four-year term, tax reductions approved by Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) will save Virginians just under $8 billion, and approximately $1.5 billion or more in additional annual savings after he departs. Most of the rule changes that have produced these benefits occurred in the 2022 and 2023 General Assembly sessions. Then in 2024 the […]
The Movie ‘Reagan’
By Edwin J. Feulner, Ph.D. Those of us who had the privilege of working with Ronald Reagan know he was utterly unique—a true American original. So it’s a delight to find Dennis Quaid, in the new movie “Reagan,” accomplishing a seemingly impossible task: bringing our 40th president to life in a way that makes you feel […]
Ranked Choice Voting is Spreading Time to Decide If We Want It
For several years I have served as the ballot officer in my local precinct, handing out and tracking the paper ballots and dealing with any questions from voters about how to mark them. Every year a fair number spoil their ballots by either using an X or a circle rather than filling in the bubble, or […]
Virginia Clean Economy Act Increases Costs In Both Expected and Unexpected Ways
The Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), with its demand to eliminate hydrocarbon fuels for electricity in Virginia, will soon take a deeper bite out of bank accounts for many Virginia families and businesses. As of September 1, Dominion Energy Virginia residential bills will rise 11%. Adding to that, next summer the cost of back-up generation […]
At Last, Hollywood Does Reagan Right
It has been 30 years since Ronald Reagan walked off the American political stage; two decades since he was laid to rest in the lengthening shadows of Simi Valley’s “golden hour.” But with the coming August 30 release of the big budget biographical film Reagan, he will again spring to life, albeit on screen. Americans will have an opportunity to remind themselves of […]
Governor Youngkin Keeping Elections Secure
Renowned playwright Tom Stoppard famously wrote, “It’s not the voting that’s democracy; it’s the counting.” His point is both pithy and insightful — without fair and accurate counting of votes, we can’t be sure every voter’s voice is heard. Transparency and election integrity is key to a truly democratic system. One need only ask “voters” in Venezuela’s recent sham […]
Time to Give Charter Schools a Chance in Virginia
The Youngkin Administration is trying to jumpstart the creation of independent public charter schools in Virginia, in order to provide students additional high-quality options for their education. This effort is long overdue. But the road to quality choices in Virginia is a steep climb. First established in Minnesota 32 years ago, more than 7,800 public […]
Don’t Politicize Cell Phone-Free Education
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order for developing policies restricting or eliminating cell phones in schools – a concept garnering widespread support among parents, with 61 percent favoring requiring students to leave their phones in secured locations during the day – responds to a clear and rising mental health, academic and behavioral problem. Seventy-two percent of […]
Virginia in Real Danger of Running Out of Other People’s Power
An electricity drought is looming, not only for Virginia but also for much of the United States, if the political hostility toward the most reliable forms of electricity generation is not reversed. Warnings that wind and solar power alone will not be sufficient resonated like a drumbeat from the podium of a two-day conference on Virginia’s energy future […]