The Issues

Economic Freedom

The Minimum Wage Hurts Teens

When Congress raised the minimum wage by more than two dollars an hour in 2007, it worsened employment among teenagers. It also furthered a troubling, long-term trend in which fewer...

Jefferson Forum
August 23, 2012

Pending Budget and Tax Decisions Could Sink Virginia’s Economy

(This article first ran in the Richmond Times Dispatch). Could the potential impact of automatic federal spending cuts and the expiration of Bush tax cuts set to begin in January...

Christine Chmura
August 23, 2012

The Metro Rail Debate Continues

 (This response continues the dialogue from June 12, July 16, and August 9 issues of the Jefferson Policy Journal.) Yes, we fail to follow Mr. Roth’s arguments against the Dulles...

Jefferson Forum
August 23, 2012

Medicaid Expansion in Virginia? Maybe Not.

The Obamacare ruling from the Supreme Court in late June is best known for upholding the requirement that people buy health insurance. But it also gave cash-strapped states a significant...

Jefferson Forum
August 9, 2012

Unemployment Figure Not as Bad as It Looks

(This column first ran in the Richmond Times Dispatch on August 6, 2012). The unemployment rate in theRichmond metro area rose to 6.5 percent in June from 6.2 percent in...

Jefferson Forum
August 9, 2012

Public Private Partnership Bridges and Tunnels Proliferate

(This column first ran in Surface Transportation Innovations. Virginia has many bridges and many needed road projects. This column offers ideas for our policy leaders to consider.) From large to...

Bob Poole
August 9, 2012

Rail to Dulles Issue Continued – Response to “Transportation Conservatives”

(This response from Gabe Roth is part of the articles that have been carried in the Jefferson Policy Journal on June 21 (here) and July 16, 2012 (here). I do...

Jefferson Forum
August 9, 2012

Virginians Work 204 Days Just to Pay for Government

Every year, the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation and the Cost of Government Center release the Cost of Government Day Report. The report measures the calendar day until which the...

Jefferson Forum
July 26, 2012

Are U.S. Managed Lanes Self-Supporting?

(This article first appeared in Reason Foundation’s Surface Transportation Innovations newsletter.) One of the most successful recent managed lanes projects is the one on I-95 in Miami, helped into existence...

Jefferson Forum
July 26, 2012

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.