The Issues

Economic Freedom

Jefferson Journal: Do Newport News Courts Threaten Virginia’s Pro-Business Reputation?

Virginia consistently ranks as one of the most business-friendly states in America. But are the courts in Newport News threatening that ranking? They’re not a “hell-hole” yet, but they’re certainly...

Mike Thompson
March 6, 2015

Do Newport News Courts Threaten Virginia’s Pro-Business Reputation?

Virginia consistently ranks as one of the most business-friendly states in America, although lately we have been slipping. According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, since 2001, manufacturing companies have...

Mike Thompson
March 4, 2015

Are Do-Gooders Making Food Insecurity Worse?

Food deserts are back in the news here in Richmond with the premier of a documentary, “Living in a Food Desert,” at the Richmond International Film Festival. First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe,...

Jefferson Forum
March 4, 2015

The Value of Innovation in Toll Concession Projects

Most discussions of the pros and cons of P3 concessions cite as benefits the availability of investment from new sources (e.g., pension funds and developer equity), shifting various risks (such...

Jefferson Forum
March 4, 2015

Job Growth in Virginia Wasn’t Stellar Last Year.

Virginia gained only 12,900 jobs in 2014, or a 0.3 percent increase from the previous year. That increase was the worst year-over-year performance the state has had since 2010, when...

Jefferson Forum
February 18, 2015

The Self-Inflicted Infrastructure “Crisis”

We continually hear about an “infrastructure crisis” in the United States, a malady from which Virginia has not been spared. Talk of pot-holed streets, tottering bridges and crumbling highways invariably...

Jefferson Forum
February 18, 2015

Virginia House Bills Put Roads Over Rails

(Editor’s note: This article from Watchdog.org’s Virginia Bureau on February 17th is reprinted because the idea that legislation needs to be passed to make sure the transportation funding’s top priority...

Jefferson Forum
February 18, 2015

Certificate Of Need Reform Needed To Move Virginians Forward

When I joined the nursing profession 6 years ago, I made it my goal to provide the best health care possible to all of my patients. And part of that...

Jefferson Forum
February 4, 2015

A Level Financial Playing Field For P3 Projects

One of the perennial arguments raised against long-term public-private partnerships (P3s) for transportation infrastructure is that the financing cost will be higher, because revenue bonds issued by the private sector...

Jefferson Forum
February 4, 2015

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.