The Jefferson Journal

Commentary

Jefferson Forum
June 4, 2014

President Reagan was one of our country’s greatest leaders because he valued fair opportunities for the American people over political manipulations that waste taxpayer money.The “Great Communicator” listened and connected with Americans and then acted in the best interest of our nation. This is why Reagan and presidents from both...

Jefferson Forum
June 4, 2014

In the case of climate change, those making the assumptions demand that we act immediately to avert planetary crises based solely on their computer model predictions. It’s like demanding that governments enact laws to safeguard us from velociraptors, after Jurassic Park scientists found that dinosaur DNA could be extracted from...

Christian Braunlich
June 3, 2014

The 60th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board decision declaring state laws establishing separate schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional was accompanied by commentaries recognizing the importance of the case — but few also recognized the pivotal role Virginia played. For while the case is named...

Mike Thompson
June 2, 2014

Rarely, if ever, has the state budget been the vehicle to force a brand-new government program onto taxpayers. Normally, a proposal to dramatically expand Medicaid would be debated separately where issues can be discussed, experts brought in, ideas batted about and a piece of legislation can be crafted that can...

Jefferson Forum
May 22, 2014

(Editor’s Note: Many Virginia businesses are involved in international trade. This article deals with an issue directly impacting Virginia’s economy.) Today, exports are more important than ever to American businesses, manufacturers, and the overall strength of our nation’s economy. With 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside the United...

Jefferson Forum
May 22, 2014

This July Virginians will start spending billions to meet tough new storm-water regulations. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond) wants to demonstrate best practices that save the bay – and look really good doing it. About a decade ago the leadership of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, an institution known mainly for...

Jefferson Forum
May 22, 2014

EPA is defending their new proposal to define the ‘Waters of the United States’ in the Clean Water Act. At a competing website EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, in a guest editorial, defended her agency’s plan, writing: “Some in the agricultural community might think that this rule will broaden the reach of...

Christian Braunlich
May 22, 2014

The Metro Richmond’s economy was hit harder during the Great Recession than the state and nation, in part, because of its dependence on finance and insurance industries. Employment growth in Richmond is now outpacing all of the metropolitan areas in the state and is growing slightly faster than the nation...

Jefferson Forum
May 22, 2014

(Editor’s note: As Virginia contemplates more toll roads, and the interstate highway system needs substantial rebuilding, this article illustrates how today’s technology can help pay for our roads more efficiently than today.) Efforts are under way both nationally and regionally to bring about interoperability among all-electronic tolling systems. This involves...

Jefferson Forum
May 8, 2014

(Publisher’s note: As we in Virginia continue to debate whether to expand Medicaid coverage and rely on the federal government to pay 90% of the cost forever, it is important for us to understand that the entire health care program is still very unstable financially.) Here’s the news you heard:...