The Issues

Economic Freedom

Virginia Tax Collections and Spending Just Keep Climbing

Virginia’s state budget grew 90% in the past decade, far faster than in previous decades. After adjusting for inflation and population changes, spending still jumped 4% each year, a high...

Stephen D. Haner
October 18, 2023

Coming Soon: Higher Prices in the Form of Taxes

Subscribers to Netflix will soon see rate increases because of the Screen Actors Guild-AFTRA Hollywood strikes. Buyers of new and used cars will, as a result of the United Auto Workers strike,...

Christian Braunlich
October 16, 2023

To Win Policy, Is it Time Conservatives Invested in Infrastructure?

Governor Glenn Youngkin can take satisfaction from passage of the long-delayed Virginia budget. As my colleague, Steve Haner points out, during his term of office Youngkin’s fight to increase the standard...

Christian Braunlich
September 27, 2023

Virginia’s “Runaway” Budget Negotiators

Fear of commitment is a common theme in Hollywood — where romantic comedies are replete with characters that sidestep long-term commitment primarily out of fear that someone better may come...

Derrick A. Max
September 13, 2023

Tax Reductions Under Youngkin Have Been Significant

Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) and the legislators of both parties who have given him at least some of the tax reforms he asked for need to stop being shy and...

Stephen D. Haner
September 7, 2023

Virginians Want Their Change Back

The latest preliminary figures from the Virginia Department of Revenue put the current general fund budget surplus at more than $5.1 billion for fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30. This is...

Barbara Hollingsworth
August 9, 2023

Senators Claim “Voodoo Estimating” in Battle Over Tax Cuts

Not only are the leading Virginia Senate budget negotiators adamantly opposed to providing Virginians with additional tax relief in this election year, but they are now hinting at partial roll...

Stephen D. Haner
August 1, 2023

A New Tax Reform Plan? Explain It and Sell It!

The following paragraph was written five months ago.  It is reproduced now with some emphasis added.  The 2023 Virginia General Assembly tax debate is just another revival of an old political show....

Stephen D. Haner
June 30, 2023

The $3.6 Billion Decision – Give it Back

Just a week after the hotly contested primaries in Virginia, where the more progressive candidates won in the Democratic primaries and where the Youngkin-endorsed candidates won in the Republican primaries —...

Derrick A. Max
June 28, 2023

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.