The Issues

Economic Freedom

Certificate of Need: A Bad Idea with Political Staying Power

Every so often Virginia undergoes a spasm of skepticism regarding the Certificate of Need (CON) law that subjects proposals for hospital expansions and equipment purchases to regulatory approval. The law gives proof...

Jefferson Forum
January 7, 2015

Virginia Economic Forecast 2015: Virginia’s Role in North American Energy Development

Sponsored by Cassaday and Company, this 15th Annual Economic Forecast offers not only a picture of what Virginia’s economy will look like in 2015, but also describes the important role...

Christine Chmura
January 5, 2015

Jefferson Journal: Reform Health ‘Need’ Regulations

Here’s one way to reduce health care costs: Eliminate this antiquated relic of health care mandates that stands in the way of competition, innovation and access to care for Virginians.

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Mike Thompson
December 19, 2014

Reform Health "Need" Regulations

In recent years the federal government has continued to impose burdensome new regulations on the states, especially in the area of health care. Strict new rules handed down as a...

Jefferson Forum
December 18, 2014

Reform Health "Need" Regulations

In recent years the federal government has continued to impose burdensome new regulations on the states, especially in the area of health care. Strict new rules handed down as a...

Jefferson Forum
December 18, 2014

Learning from Buena Vista’s Golf Course Default

In 2005, the City of Buena Vista in the Shenandoah Valley issued $9.2 million in bonds to pay for construction of the Vista Links golf course. To obtain financing, the...

Jefferson Forum
December 18, 2014

The Case For Long-Term Concessions

Long-term contractual arrangements between a state DOT and a consortium of companies to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain a highway, bridge, or tunnel represent a major paradigm shift in...

Jefferson Forum
December 18, 2014

Soft Skills Are Key to Better Jobs

The importance of science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, knowledge in our labor market is talked about a lot. Jobs requiring that knowledge in STEM fields often pay much...

Christine Chmura
December 3, 2014

Is Adding Highway Capacity Futile?

Some years ago, Anthony Downs of the Brookings Institution postulated that adding capacity to a congested highway leads to a “triple convergence” of responses: some drivers shift from other roads,...

Jefferson Forum
December 3, 2014

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.