The Issues

Economic Freedom

Invest in Virginia Workers, Not Corporate Subsidies

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), once one of the most respected economic development teams in the country, has been taking it on the chin. A year ago, a Chinese...

Jefferson Forum
January 18, 2017

Jefferson Journal: Hospitals Continue to Do Well Here in Virginia

The recently released annual analysis of Virginia hospitals by the Thomas Jefferson Institute once again confirms that the hospital industry as a whole here in Virginia continues to do well...

Mike Thompson
January 13, 2017

Hospital Finances Healthy, Despite Sluggish Economy

A new study issued by the Thomas Jefferson Institute shows that the overall finances of Virginia hospitals are healthy. While hospital profits remained flat since last year, hospital net worth...

Mike Thompson
January 10, 2017

Economic Impact: President-elect Trump’s plans should support economic growth

Based on the increase in stock prices since the election, investors believe the Trump administration is going to usher in faster economic growth. Are they being too optimistic? Tax cuts...

Jefferson Forum
January 4, 2017

A Careful Look at the Trump Infrastructure Proposal

Since the November 8th election, a flurry of media attention has been devoted to the “Trump infrastructure plan.” As I pointed out in my column in the November Public Works...

Bob Poole
December 14, 2016

Cigarette Taxes Do Not Usually Produce Projected Income

Taxes are a funny thing. They can’t be relied on to produce the amount of money governments hope to collect from those who pay. Over and over again, it has...

Mike Thompson
December 1, 2016

Workforce training that focuses on unfilled jobs

The Martinsville area, a manufacturinging powerhouse as recently as the 1980s, has become the poster child for Virginia’s rust belt. Unemployment hit 20% during the bottom of the last recession,...

Jefferson Forum
December 1, 2016

Now is the time for immigration deal

With the election over and Republicans keeping control of Congress while also securing the White House, our nation has an opportunity to finally fix our broken immigration system, secure our...

Jefferson Forum
November 30, 2016

New Study: Cigarette Taxes Go Up in Smoke!

Do increased cigarette taxes at the municipal level increase revenues to localities? And what is the longer term effect of such increases? A new study from the Thomas Jefferson Institute...

Jefferson Forum
November 13, 2016

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.