The Issues

Economic Freedom

Virginia’s Progressive Assembly Turns to Tax Policy

The COVID-19 recession barely dented Virginia’s state budget. The massive spending growth adopted in the pre-COVID budget a year ago is largely back on track. Yet some legislators think the...

Stephen D. Haner
March 3, 2021

Legislators Shift Green Energy Costs By Taxing All Other Customers, Employers

Lower income Virginians who are customers of the two largest electricity providers may begin to receive subsidies on their residential bills in March 2022 under legislation moving forward in the...

Stephen D. Haner
February 16, 2021

Subsidies for Electric Cars, Buses and Charging Will Accompany TCI’s Taxes and Rationing

The ultimate goal of the Transportation and Climate Initiative with its tax and rationing scheme is to eliminate fossil fuels for transportation and get us into electric vehicles.  That is something advocates have...

Stephen D. Haner
February 13, 2021

Senate Taxes PPP Less House Version “Wholly Inadequate”

Majorities in both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly agree with Governor Ralph Northam and have voted to tax the federal Payroll Protection Plan grants that saved Virginia jobs in...

Stephen D. Haner
February 8, 2021

A Win-Win for Virginia

Candidates love to be on the side of the gods – and supporting reduced pollution and greater economic growth is a “win-win.”  After all, if Virginia can use new technologies...

Christian Braunlich
February 2, 2021

Northam Compromise Still Taxes Most PPP Money That Saved Jobs

A week ago, Governor Ralph Northam’s Administration was adamant that it would be unfair, in fact a double tax benefit, to allow Virginia employers with forgiven Paycheck Protection Plan loans...

Stephen D. Haner
January 29, 2021

Employer Escape From Green Energy Costs Blocked

Virginia’s major energy-intensive industries will not get a requested path to avoid some of the coming cost shock from the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). The bill that sought them a...

Stephen D. Haner
January 27, 2021

Carbon Taxes, Gasoline Rationing Remain Unpopular Policies

The Transportation and Climate Initiative plan to tax and ration motor fuels suffered a major setback just before Christmas, when eight of the eleven states considering it decided not to...

Stephen D. Haner
January 6, 2021

An Opportunity Agenda for Virginia

The greatest ideological division in the United States today separates those who support policies geared to creating equal opportunities for all and those who support policies geared to creating equal...

Jim Bacon
January 6, 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.