The Issues

Economic Freedom

Are Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express Really Worth $600 Million a Year to Virginia?

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) issued a press release on September 5 of this year claiming that “Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) boost state revenues by $ 600...

Jefferson Forum
December 27, 2017

Fewer Young People, More Geezers Working These Days

The percentage of young people (ages 16 to 25) participating in Virginia’s workforce has been sliding over the past 15 years, while the percentage of old-timers (65 years or older)...

Jefferson Forum
December 27, 2017

What Future for Electric Cars?

For many years, I’ve been skeptical of a vehicle future dominated by all-electric vehicles. Not that zero-emission cars wouldn’t be great (assuming a low- or zero-emission electricity supply). It’s just...

Jefferson Forum
December 27, 2017

Healthcare Handbook Offers Ideas on Medicaid Reforms, Healthcare Competition

A new “Healthcare Handbook” released by the Thomas Jefferson Institute offers a collection of 17 essays by practitioners and public policy specialists offering reforms for healthcare in Virginia. The essays...

Jefferson Forum
December 20, 2017

Holiday Sales Look Stronger This Year

The holiday selling season got off to a strong start on Black Friday but the results were mixed when comparing online versus in-store sales. Online spending for Black Friday, the...

Jefferson Forum
December 13, 2017

Before Expanding Medicaid, Examine the Program’s Outcomes

When Virginia lawmakers start cranking up the old Medicaid-expansion jalopy in January, they would be well advised to pay attention to a new study out of California — not exactly...

Jefferson Forum
December 13, 2017

Express Toll Lanes Expanding Rapidly

Despite populist opposition in Charlotte, NC and parts of Texas, 2017 has been a banner year for express toll lanes (ETLs). At least eight new facilities opened to traffic this...

Jefferson Forum
December 13, 2017

Taxes and the Budget at Year’s End

The tax reform plan that Congress is producing will not be perfect. Nothing is...The starting point for any inquiry should be the purpose of the legislation and whether the developing...
Jefferson Forum
November 29, 2017

Virginia Economic Development Partnership — Moving Forward Globally

Let’s discuss the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and set the record straight regarding what really happened with its management fiasco, along with its historic reform by the Virginia General...

Jefferson Forum
November 29, 2017

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.