The Jefferson Journal

Commentary

Jefferson Forum
October 17, 2018

As the old saying goes, you find what you look for. And in its examination of occupational licensing in Virginia the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) largely found what it was looking for — inefficiencies and overcharges. Conducting the review was worthwhile, but the exercise was small ball...

Jefferson Forum
October 17, 2018

Families in the Richmond region saw the rate of their inflation-adjusted incomes having the second fastest growth among all 383 metro areas in the nation. Median household income rose 5.3 percent in the Richmond metro area in 2017 compared with 2016, according to data released in mid-September by the U.S....

Jefferson Forum
October 17, 2018

There is no question that personal transportation will undergo significant changes in coming decades. Three such changes will be the advent of affordable electric vehicles, fully autonomous vehicles, and mobility as a service (MaaS) in which people opt to rely on shared vehicles rather than individually owned vehicles. These are...

Jefferson Forum
October 17, 2018

A U.S. District Court in South Carolina last month revived President Obama’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in 26 states (now 23 states due to another decision.) The decision is a temporary setback. This, from the court: “The court reiterates that the issue currently before the court is...

Stephen D. Haner
October 4, 2018

When the General Assembly meets in January, it should fully conform Virginia’s tax system to the new federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but it shouldnot stop there. It should also take immediate steps to reduce the state tax increases that conforming the tax code will automatically create for many...

Jefferson Forum
October 3, 2018

When the General Assembly meets in January 2019, it should fully conform Virginia’s tax system to the new federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but it should not stop there.  It should also take immediate steps to reduce the tax increases that conforming the tax code will automatically create for...

Jefferson Forum
October 3, 2018

The Richmond Public School System is in crisis, roiled by two independent audits and the publication of new state data showing that the administration is hobbled by rampant inefficiency, there are deep and pervasive achievement gaps between white students and black and Hispanic students, and the high school dropout rate...

Christine Chmura
October 3, 2018

Families in the Richmond region saw the rate of their inflation-adjusted incomes having the second-fastest growth among all 383 metro areas in the nation. Median household income rose 5.3 percent in the Richmond metro area in 2017 compared with 2016, according to data released in mid-September by the U.S. Census...

Jefferson Forum
October 3, 2018

On Sept 12 a U.S. District Court judge in Galveston, TX issued an order which once again shows the power of the states in stopping overreaching EPA regulation. Many, including myself, have written volumes about the term “Water of the United States” (WOTUS), an effort by the Obama administration to...

Jefferson Forum
October 3, 2018

Two more states may follow the lead of Rhode Island by imposing tolls (or increased toll rates) on heavy trucks, so as to invest the proceeds in highway improvements that will benefit all highway users. A study under way by Virginia DOT on improvements to I-81 has suggested up to...