The Issues

Economic Freedom

Northam Administration Still Avoiding Discussion of TCI

Why do Virginia’s leaders run away from the Transportation and Climate Initiative? Could it be because the first state legislature to consider it, in reliably Democratic Connecticut, just adjourned without...
Stephen D. Haner
June 15, 2021

With Tax Revenue Exploding, Virginia Should Boost Standard Deduction, Index for Inflation

One of the big financial winners with the May 1 Virginia minimum wage increase is the state itself, because the entire raise is subject to a 5 percent state income...

Stephen D. Haner
May 19, 2021

Northam Tax Harvest Expands Again

With the release yesterday of the April 2021 Virginia state revenue report, covering ten months of the fiscal year, a correction in an earlier report becomes necessary....
Stephen D. Haner
May 12, 2021

Virginia Tax Structure Better for Mature Firms than for Start-ups

Virginia is far more tax friendly to established businesses than it is to new ones. That is one major conclusion of a major state-by-state business tax comparison released Wednesday (here)...

Stephen D. Haner
May 5, 2021

Northam Tax Hikes Squeeze Virginia Businesses and Individuals

With Virginia’s fiscal year now three-quarters complete, and basically one year since the depths of the COVID-19 recession, state tax revenues are soaring. Despite reports that the boom results from...

Stephen D. Haner
May 4, 2021

Fuel Tax and Caps Detailed in TCI Model Rule, Now Open for Public Comment

Read the governing document for the Transportation and Climate Initiative and it becomes clear there is more going on than just an effort to reduce motor fuel use with a...
Stephen D. Haner
April 14, 2021

May Day Brings Virginia’s Labor Revolution

Four major changes in Virginia’s labor laws delayed at the beginning of the COVID-19 recession will all take effect May 1. All were approved by the 2020 General Assembly once...

Stephen D. Haner
March 31, 2021

Maryland Managed Lanes Have Developer, But Still Face Opponents

Last month, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), its State Highway Administration (SHA), and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) selected Accelerate Maryland Partners LLC as the public-private partnership (P3) developer/operator...

Baruch Feigenbaum
March 31, 2021

Will the Feds Take Over Local Zoning?

One of the Biden Administration’s first executive orders has revived the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule.” This rule was proposed by the Obama Administration,...

Paul Trampe
March 8, 2021

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.