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Laissez Les Bon Reforms Roulez – Government reform, Louisiana-style

Jefferson Forum
December 16, 2009
Anytime you see a multi-billion dollar budget deficit materialize in a state, it’s generally a good sign that it’s time for government downsizing. State policymakers should not aim low by setting their sights on merely rebalancing the budget; rather, they should put into place major budget and fiscal reforms....

Opportunities for the New Governor

Christian Braunlich
December 7, 2009

It’s the month before Christmas and all through the Statehouse, Governor Tim Kaine is crafting his final budget for public view. What does it mean for incoming Governor Bob McDonnell?

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Huge Opportunities for Our Incoming Governor

Jefferson Forum
December 2, 2009
The current recession is not likely to end quickly. A total “remake” of state and local government is required in face of this new reality. Government simply must cut back, evaluate its true core functions and take action to restrict the growth of government in the future....

Will Bipartisanship Rule in Building Charter Schools?

Christian Braunlich
November 12, 2009

A 17-point victory offers newly-elected Governor Bob McDonnell a mandate on those policies he made part of his platform. Developing quality public charter schools – particularly those that would serve as a turn-around mechanism – seems a good a place as any to start. But will bipartisanship rule, or will...

Will Bipartisanship Rule in Building Quality Charter Schools?

Jefferson Forum
November 11, 2009
A 17-point victory offers newly-elected Governor Bob McDonnell a mandate on those policies he made part of his platform. Developing quality public charter schools – particularly those that would serve as a turn-around mechanism – seems a good a place as any to start....

McDonnell Election Mandate Opens Exciting Possibilities

Jefferson Forum
November 11, 2009
Government seems to plod along in the same basic rut. Taxes are collected and the same old programs are funded without much thought as to why. Governor-elect McDonnell needs to take his electoral mandate and move government away from the past and into the future....

New Poll: Strong Support for Public Schools AND Education Choice Policies!

Jefferson Forum
November 10, 2009

While 62 percent of Virginia’s voters believe the state’s public school system is good or excellent, by similar margins those same voters also favor education choice reforms such as charter schools, tax-credit scholarships, and school vouchers. The poll was conducted by Braun Research, which has previously conducted polling for Gallup...

The Final Days

Jefferson Forum
October 28, 2009
The race to become governor of the Commonwealth may be drawing to a close, but for the winner, the journey is only beginning. Whoever is elected governor must see Virginia through an age of uncertainty and address serious issues in transportation, the budget and education....

Two Economists Diverged in a Yellow Wood

Jefferson Forum
October 28, 2009
There’s an old line: For every economist, there exists an equal and opposite economist, well Ms. Chmura finds her opposite in Dr. James F. Tucker, who provides his take on the current economic climate....

Logic and Passion and the Chesapeake Bay

Jefferson Forum
October 28, 2009
Molly Pugh, Executive Director of the Virginia Grain Producers Association, laid out facts and principles that, had they been the keystone of prior decades of Chesapeake Bay policy, would have resulted in a Bay much further along in its recovery....