The Issues

Worker Freedom

Spanberger’s Veto of Collective Bargaining Would be the Right Call for Virginia

5/14/2026 — Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, the sponsor of a sweeping public-sector collective bargaining bill (Senate Bill 378), said Governor Spanberger told him Wednesday that she planned to...

Derrick A. Max
May 14, 2026

Bargaining Bill Would Trampling Public Employee Rights

Tuesday’s column discussed some of the reasons Governor Spanberger should amend or veto the public employee collective bargaining bill headed to her desk:  the local and state taxpayer costs, the creation...

Christian Braunlich
April 9, 2026

Is Union “Dues Skim” Coming to Virginia?

There are many reasons why Governor Abigail Spanberger should veto the collective bargaining bill headed to her desk, a bill requiring local and state governments to bargain with union bosses...

Christian Braunlich
April 7, 2026

Progressive Bills Youngkin Vetoed Will Kickstart Agenda if Spanberger Wins

Predicting how Democrats will transform Virginia should they gain full control of state government in November’s election is easy. Just look through the list of 400 plus bills vetoed by...

Stephen D. Haner
October 14, 2025

State Legislation on AI: How a Courageous Governor’s Veto Averted Regulatory Crisis

Artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing rapidly and powering solutions previously unimaginable. At the same time, AI legislation is on the rise and a patchwork of state restrictions looms over the...

Jefferson Forum
March 28, 2025

Inspection Without Impact: Why Virginia Should End Mandatory Car Inspections

Virginia’s mandatory vehicle safety inspection program is less than a decade away from its centennial anniversary. Established in 1932, Virginia’s inspection program is the oldest continuous program in the country. In 1975,...

Joshua Devamithran
December 6, 2024

Minimum Wages, Paid Leave, Vendor Preferences Lead Surviving 2024 Progressive Agenda Items

The aggressive progressive agenda working its way through the 2024 General Assembly has lost some steam at the halfway point, but at least four of the major Democratic goals discussed...

Stephen D. Haner
February 15, 2024

Mason-Dixon Poll: Voters Want Employee Protections

As local governments take steps towards permitting collective bargaining agreements with public employee unions, voters overwhelmingly want to make sure public employees are informed of their rights, their privacy is...

Jefferson Forum
February 9, 2023

Virginia drops from A+ to C in worker freedom largest decrease in the country

Virginia’s ranking fell more than any other state in the in the Commonwealth Foundation’s 50 State Labor Report “The Battle for Worker Freedom in the States: Grading State Labor Laws.”...

F. Vincent Vernuccio
November 1, 2022

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.

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.