The Issues

Economic Freedom

Don’t Bet Against Virginia — But Don’t Coast on a #3 CNBC Ranking Either

Key Takeaways: Key Quote: “Virginia’s No. 3 ranking is a credit to the Commonwealth’s inherited strengths, not a blank check for Richmond to tax more, mandate more, and make it harder...

Derrick A. Max
July 9, 2026

Governor’s Paid Leave “Fix” Leaves the Biggest Problems Untouched

Cosmetic Amendments: Trims minor bureaucracy but leaves the expensive, massive program unchanged. Automatic Tax Hikes: Funded by mandatory payroll taxes that can rise automatically without a legislative vote. High Risk...

Derrick A. Max
April 15, 2026

First They Came for the Data Centers, But Will It Stop There?

Building Virginia into the leader of the data center industry for the United States and the world has been a bipartisan goal of several recent governors and General Assemblies. The...

Stephen D. Haner
March 1, 2026

House and Senate Budgets Propose No Major Tax or Spending Increases

The Senate and House of Delegates’ financial committees met on Sunday to approve competing sets of amendments to the next Virginia budget, neither proposing any general tax increases. The Senate...

Stephen D. Haner
February 23, 2026

Supreme Court Restores the Rule of Law and, for a Moment, Increased Economic Freedom

The Supreme Court’s decision in Learning Resources v. Trump is a landmark reaffirmation of one of the Constitution’s most fundamental principles: the power to tax belongs to Congress alone. Article I, Section 8...

Derrick A. Max
February 21, 2026

Stacked Local Taxes Are Making Virginia Less Affordable, Not More

Virginia’s restaurant and lodging sector is still in a fragile post-COVID recovery, yet local governments across the Commonwealth are piling on new and higher taxes that make affordability worse for...

Derrick A. Max
February 6, 2026

Revenue-Hungry Democrats Give Themselves a Buffet of Tax Increase Choices for 2026

Governor Abigail Spanberger so far is no more clear on her tax and spending priorities than Candidate Spanberger was, but her fellow Democrats in the General Assembly are laying out...

Stephen D. Haner
January 26, 2026

“Affordability” is a Feel-Good Slogan that Ignores Difficult Economic Tradeoffs  

“Affordability” has become the most powerful word in modern politics – and nowhere more than here in Virginia. Candidates promised “affordable housing,” “affordable health care,” “affordable energy,” and “affordable child care,” often without...

Derrick A. Max
January 16, 2026

Youngkin Proposes More Tax Relief in His Final Budget, Which Still Sets New Records for Revenue, Spending

Governor Glenn Youngkin has proposed that Virginia conform its tax rules to most of the changes in federal taxes adopted by Congress last summer, including recognizing a state tax deduction...

Stephen D. Haner
December 18, 2025

Jefferson Forum concentrates on policies that affect everyday life in Virginia

Economic Freedom

Lower taxes and fewer regulations

Education Freedom

More choices for Virginia families

Energy Freedom

Reliable, affordable energy

Worker Freedom

Protecting Virginia’s right-to-work tradition

These are the building blocks of a more competitive and prosperous Virginia.