The Jefferson Journal
Commentary
The Fairfax County Executive’s 2007 attack on the Thomas Jefferson Institute’s Fairfax County budget study is based on faulty financial figures and attacks the methodology used in the analysis, says Jefferson President Michael W. Thompson. But the study — and all the others published over the years — merely duplicates...
In testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee for the Environment and Public Works, Jefferson Institute Senior Fellow Dr. David Schnare argues that responses to climate change and the exclusive strategy of reducing greenhouse gases has significant implications for the Chesapeake Bay. Instead, he recommends examining “geo-engineering” that will lower global...
Is there a “business case” for universal preschool? Advocates argue that there is a long-term “Return On Investment,” paying back the early costs of preschool through decreased K-12 education costs and “positive effects on adult crime, earnings, wealth,” and other components. But this paper demonstrates that such claims are overblown....
Working with legislators, key government officials and business leaders, the Thomas Jefferson Institute continued to bring creative and workable ideas for solving some of Virginia’s most critical challenges. This report outlines efforts to bring a more business-like approach to running state and local government, more parental choice and accountability to...
A Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program would allow Virginia students with disabilities to attend the public or private school of their parents’ choice. But opponents attack this aid for disabled students, charging that it would drain public schools of funding. In fact, however, this study demonstrates that local school systems...
Forty million Americans — a million right here in Virginia — have such low reading skills that they are fundamentally illiterate. Can we upgrade the skills of our workforce and imporve the efficiency and effectiveness of Virginia’s investment in public education? Yes, we can, says this new report. In Virginia...
Senator Walter Stosch has introduced SB 1419, a bill providing Tuition Assistance Grants for Students With Disabilities. Because both the bill and Senator Stosch have been the subject of ad hominem attacks and distortions from those who oppose this additional educational opportunity for children with disabilities, this set of Serious...
The recommendations of Governor Kaine’s Start Strong Council include some with merit, such as establishment of a pilot program and collection of data. But there are missing pieces to each that should be included before they are funded by the General Assembly. More important is the fundamental flaw in the...
Last year the Thomas Jefferson Institute proved that the reputation it has achieved helped bring positive change to public policy in Virginia, based on our Mission Statement in support of limited government, free enterprise and individual responsibility … and we continue to bring innovative ideas to the public policy debate....
Disagreements over the Commonwealth’s budget may be grabbing the headlines, but under the radar of news reporting ideas are percolating throughout Virginia’s government that could have a much larger impact on the future.
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