The Issues

Economic Freedom

Never Too Late for Serious Tax Reform

The new chair of the House Finance Committee has introduced a major long-term tax reform proposal that will help most Virginia families, and the former chair of the same committee...

Stephen D. Haner
January 22, 2020

Virginia’s Cost-Benefit System Provides More Efficient Transportation System

Each year when we release the Annual Highway Report, I receive a flurry of calls asking how states can improve their highways. Maintaining a quality state highway system is obviously...

Baruch Feigenbaum
January 8, 2020

Forecast for 2020 Looks Better Than it Did a Year Ago

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time there was talk of recession, in part, because the stock market and yield curve were signaling warning signs. At...

Christine Chmura
January 8, 2020

Mason-Dixon Poll: Virginians Oppose New ‘Carbon Car Tax’

Polling data from a new poll conducted by the respect Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy shows that Virginians oppose the Transportation and Climate Initiative when they learn it will mean a...

Jefferson Forum
December 27, 2019

Should U.S. Consider Modern Monetary Theory to Improve Economy?

The U.S. budget deficit reached $984 billion in 2019. That’s 4.6% of gross domestic product. Such a large deficit should cause interest rates to rise, according to traditional economic theory,...

Jefferson Forum
December 21, 2019

Biden’s Disappointing Infrastructure Plan

With the 2020 presidential campaign ramping up, many of the Democratic candidates have released policy positions for primary voters. Transportation, which is not considered sexy, has received little attention thus...

Jefferson Forum
December 21, 2019

New ‘Carbon Car Tax’ Bad for Virginia

The proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) — a new “Carbon Car Tax” would be bad for Virginia, according to a new analysis by the Thomas Jefferson Institute. Starting at...

David Schnare
December 17, 2019

The Jefferson Journal: Bring Tax Reform Debate Back for Round Two

Sometimes you have to start the victory lap, even if you only get halfway around the track. A year ago, the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy was beating the...

Stephen D. Haner
December 10, 2019

“Conformity” Tax Reform Debate Should Return for 2020 Session

Virginia taxpayers will save almost $600 million over two years as a result of the increase in the state standard deduction, a step proposed last year by the Thomas Jefferson...

Jefferson Forum
December 4, 2019

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.