2005
-
December 12 -
The
Gunst Guide to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness. Government
regs have made a mess of real estate development,
says the creator of Innsbrook. It's time to rewrite
the rules and start over. by
James A. Bacon
High
Stakes Pool. As
the national competition for scientific talent heats up,
Virginia enjoys bipartisan support for Gov.
Warner's proposal to fund more R&D at Virginia
universities. by
Doug Koelemay
At
Last, a Debate on Sprawl. Inefficient
patterns of development contribute to pollution, traffic
congestion and local fiscal stress. With
the election of Tim Kaine, suburban sprawl has
finally become a statewide issue. by
Patrick McSweeney
A
Better Way to Grow. Suburban
sprawl is the product of government subsidies. A free
market approach to development would be far more
efficient. by
Patrick McSweeney
Deconstructing
the Tower of Babel. The
words "suburb," "urban,"
and "city" mean different things to
everyone who hears them. Without a precise
vocabulary, writers can't communicate clearly on
the most pressing issues of the day.
by
EM Risse
The
Advance. Republicans
have a lot to think about when they lick their
wounds at the Homestead this weekend. A little
friendly advice: Think fiscal responsibility. by
Barnie Day
The
Mollycoddle Mystique. Mark
Warner is "the man" after helping Tim
Kaine win the gubernatorial race. He's got a PAC
and he's making national appearances. The
"Draft Warner" movement is gaining
momentum. by
Steven Sisson
Here's
Timmaayyy! Gov.-Elect
Tim Kaine has taken his transportation show on the road.
The Blue Dog dishes the dirt on who said what in the
Staunton hearing. by
Steven Sisson
Does
"Universal Pre-K" Work? Pre-school
programs help poor children but do little for kids
from middle class families. Tim Kaine's proposed
$300 million universal program would be largely a
waste of money. by
Chris Braunlich
That
Vision Thing. Virginia’s
Republicans are doomed to repeat past mistakes as
long as their legislative leaders pursue the same
visionless path. by
Philip Rodokanakis
Happy
Winter Solstice to You. It's
not enough to respect minority religions. It's not
enough to practice separation of church and state.
Now some York County educators are driving
Christmas out of the schools. James
Atticus Bowden
No
Easy Way Out. Rail
improvements can do only so much to get trucks off the
road. Fiddling with the state road funding formula isn't
on the table. And the federal government isn't riding to
the rescue. What's left? by
Steve Haner
Let's
Get Moving! Virginia's
economy cannot grow without a sound transportation
system. Our roads, rails and ports are increasingly
overloaded. So, let's stop debating and start taking
action. by
Samuel H. Kirby Jr.
--
November 28 --
Mission
Creep. VITA
isn't delivering the savings that were promised to
taxpayers. Perhaps that's because the agency has set higher
goals for itself: providing a more robust, secure IT
infrastructure. by
James A. Bacon
Faith
in the Future. A
new governor, a new legislature, a treasury flush
with revenue... Constrained expectations of recent
years are giving way to a sense of new
possibilities. by
Doug Koelemay
Beware
the Blog! Anyone
with a cause or a grudge can set up a blog on the
Web and publish opinions for all the world to see.
That makes the economic developer's job a lot
harder than it used to be. by
Debbie Kurtz, Sponsored Content
GOP
Must Look Forward. Rehashing
the reasons why Jerry Kilgore lost the election won't
get a Republican elected in 2009. Virginia's GOP needs
to figure out what it stands for. by
Patrick McSweeney
A
Republican Policy Agenda. Any
GOP agenda needs to start with asserting control over
state spending, otherwise the low-tax mantra has no
credibility. by
Patrick McSweeney
The
Foundation of Babble. In
the study of human settlement patterns, sloppy language
leads to sloppy thought. Take, for instance, the use of
the word "sprawl." by
EM Risse
Let's
Keep'em Both. Who
needs good sportsmanship? Losing stinks! With the
election so close between Bob McDonnell and Creigh
Deeds, why not make everyone happy? by
Barnie Day
In
Politics "Winning" is Relative. The
McDonnell-Deeds race for attorney general will
likely go down as the closest statewide race in
Virginia history. by
Barnie Day
Yoda,
Without the Ears. Bill Leighty, who deserves much of the credit for the
Warner administration's success, will help ensure
that the Kaine administration delivers four more
years of the same. by
Barnie Day
Mollycoddle
Manque. Mark
Warner is positioning himself to run for president in
2008, but a certain U.S. Senator from New York stands in
his way. by
Steven Sisson
Now
What? Tim
Kaine won the gubernatorial race. What comes next?
Ideally, it will be a focus on growing the
economy, reining in state spending and getting
moving on transportation. by
Geoffrey Segal
Focus
on Good Government. Democratic
Gov.-elect Tim Kaine and fiscal conservatives have
lots in common: a desire to make government work
more efficiently. Here are some ideas where we can
work together. by
Mike Thompson
Leadership
Vacuum. Some
commentators pin the GOP's setbacks in November's
election on conservative activists. In actuality,
ineffective leadership of the House Republican caucus is
the root of the problem. by
Philip Rodokanakis
Wanted:
A Conservative Hero. Moderates
need not apply. James
Atticus Bowden
This
New House. With
up to 17 newcomers it will be a very different
House of Delegates in January. Most of the
rookies have had careers in government, and few
have any real business experience. by
Steve Haner
Gameplan
for a Conservative
Renaissance. Let's
get real. The 2005 elections were a disaster for
low tax conservatives. Running principled
candidates is not enough. We need to organize,
raise money, and get our message out. by
Peter Ferrara
A
New Generation of Boondoggles. Has
Virginia learned nothing? State authorities have
approved three new highway projects that will cost
more than $1.8 billion and provide precious little
congestion relief in return. by
Trip Pollard
Can't
Have it Both Ways. Pro-growth
lobbyists criticize smart growth proposals
for disrupting the efficient workings of a free
market. Yet they are masters of manipulating the
political system for private advantage. by
Yakir M. Lubowsky
A
Hot Topic this Winter. The
City of Richmond employs temp workers to remove
leaves and pick up trash but doesn't pay them
close to a living wage. by
Jason Guard
Edgar
Cayce’s Legacy: Virginia’s Psychic Phenomena. by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
--
November 14 --
New
Man, New Ideas. Tim
Kaine's victory will transform Virginia's dead-end
debate over how to raise more money and build more
roads. The big new theme: How to manage travel
demand. by
James A. Bacon
Million
Vote Baby. Tim
Kaine joined an exclusive club on Election Day,
reaffirming political lessons that even a child
can grasp. by
Doug Koelemay
Power
Over Principle. Compromising
his principles on abortion and capital punishment may
have helped Tim Kaine win the election, but he's lost
any claim to moral authority. by
Patrick McSweeney
Just
Say "No". Hey,
Growth Control Freaks, here's a way to cut down on
all that congestion in Northern Virginia -- stop
recruiting so many new jobs! Turn off the economic
development machine! by
Barnie Day
Give
the Guy Some Credit. The
morning-after pundits are attributing Tim Kaine's
victory over Jerry Kilgore to everybody and
everything but Tim Kaine himself. Fact is, the
Timster ran a darn smart campaign. by
Barnie Day
All
Hail the Choir Boy. Tim
Kaine won the gubernatorial election by hiding his
liberal agenda. The next four years are going to
be ugly as the truth emerges. by
Steven Sisson
Winning
on Principles. Jerry
Kilgore ran an unprincipled campaign and lost.
Bill Bolling ran a principled campaign and won
despite Kilgore's top-of-the-ticket loss. by
Philip Rodokanakis
It
Could Be Worse. Tim
Kaine may be liberal, but he's also pragmatic. The
Commonwealth will survive the next four years
while Republicans figure out what they really
stand for. James
Atticus Bowden
Raise
Your Mug to Virginia's Lagers and Ales.
by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
--
October 31 --
Coping
with $60-per-Barrel Oil. Sen.
John Watkins wants to devise a long-term energy plan for
Virginia. Let's hope that plan includes free markets,
micro-power, conservation and land use reform. by
James A. Bacon
53,
25, 21. Those
digits show the percentage of economic growth accounted
for by technology compared to labor and capital. But
technological progress, Virginians now understand, does
not just happen. by
Doug Koelemay
$2.2
Billion Ain't Chump Change. Some
say the state revenue surplus is no big deal -- only
$3.3 cents on the dollar. It's exactly that kind
of attitude that has let spending run out of control. by
Patrick McSweeney
It
All Depends on your Perspective. Constitutions
are wonderful things. Let us just remember that
they're written by the powerful.
by
Barnie Day
Mobility
and Access: A Report Card. Philip
Shucet ran a tight ship at VDOT, but his 10
recommendations for transportation reform reflect
the tunnel vision of a highway engineer. He still
doesn't get the need for fundamental change in
human settlement patterns. by
EM Risse
The
Warner Report Card: Incomplete. Mark
Warner has made a positive impact on K-12
education in Virginia, but he's left much
undone.by
Chris Braunlich
Hot
Button Politics. Some
say Jerry Kilgore's death penalty ads backfired.
The Blue Dog says they did the job: highlighting
Tim Kaine's liberal leanings for a conservative
electorate. by
Steven Sisson
Death
Penalty Dodge? Tim
Kaine says he would enforce Virginia's laws regarding
the death penalty. Here, then, is the follow-up
question: If elected, would he work to enact a legal
moratorium on executions? by
Steven Sisson
A
Dripping Faucet. State
spending in Virginia is like a leaky faucet that you
can't turn off. Unfortunately, neither gubernatorial
candidate knows a fiscal wrench from a soldering iron. by
Philip Rodokanakis
Last
Call to Vote. There
are good reasons to vote the Republican ticket
Nov. 8. Get out there and do it! James
Atticus Bowden
Muddy
Water, Clear Politics. Some
candidates do everything they can to obscure the facts.
There's a good reason for that: The facts don't support
their positions. James
Atticus Bowden
Unintelligent
Design for Science.
If
evolution is only a "theory," so is the
"theory" that the earth revolves around the
sun. Must we we teach pre-Copernican astronomy in our
science classes? Steve
Haner
Pork
on Steroids. Transportation
spending at the federal level has become a raw money
grab, and it's getting that way in Virginia, too.
by
William Vincent
Breaking
the Codes: Virginia’s Multiplying Numbers. by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
October 17 -
Lost
in Suburbia. Virginia's
transportation "crisis" is really an urban
design crisis in masquerade. Broad Street in Henrico
County is a case in point: The ugly, dysfunctional
retail strip is truly a road from hell. by
James A. Bacon
Lost
in Translation. Can
Virginia's restructuring of higher education
remain bold and, therefore, effective? by
Doug Koelemay
Hither
the Surplus? A
crucial issue facing Virginia is how to dispose of $2
billion in surplus revenues that will be baked into the
2006 budget. It should be treated as a windfall,
not a permanent increase in revenue. by
Patrick McSweeney
Barnie's
Next Homework Assignment. Read
the state Constitution and write a paper explaining
why the General Assembly cannot obligate future
legislatures to spending hikes. by
Patrick McSweeney
Reality-Based
Regionalism. Most
people talk about "regionalism" with no clear
idea of what they mean. A regional
approach to solving problems is a good idea -- if
informed by Geographic Literacy. by
EM Risse
Wake
Up and Smell the Coffee. Contrary
to the view in some quarters, government isn't the
problem -- it's the solution. Only government can
invest in education, transportation and other
critical infrastructure. by
Barnie Day
Jingle
in Our Pocket. That
"huge" state budget surplus you hear about
amounts to a couple of pennies on the dollar. It's
not a big deal. by
Barnie Day
Opportunity
Lost? The
Council for Virginia's Future is developing
valuable performance measures for state programs.
But it's a long way from living up to its full
potential. by
Geoffrey Segal
What's
at Stake? If
you think that November's House elections don't
matter, try again. Virginia needs fresh thinking
about education, transportation, health care and a
host of other issues. by
Michael Thompson
Rumors
and Speculations. The
Blue Dog barks and growls about Russ Potts'
campaign aide, Larry Sabato's Center for Politics,
Gov. Warner's latest campaign ad, and the future
of Ben Affleck in Virginia politics. by
Steven Sisson
Quo
Vadis Kilgore? Jerry
Kilgore's middle-of-the-road campaign has
disappointed conservatives, who support candidates
who take principled stands. As a result, he risks
losing the election. by
Philip Rodokanakis
From
Gristmill to Hydro Power:
Virginia's Dams
by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
October 3 -
UVa
Under Siege -- from Within. Racial
incidents at the University of Virginia last August were
all too real. But the administration's over-reaction
needlessly fed black students' fears and alienation. by
James A. Bacon
Separate
but Equal at UVa. The
University of Virginia must work to overcome
Virginia's legacy of discrimination -- but
supporting the self-segregation of black students
is not the way to do it. by
Conaway Haskins
Pragmatic
Conservatives. The
characteristics of the 2006 General Assembly are
taking shape well ahead of the November elections.
by
Doug Koelemay
Hide
the Pea. Virginia
has a sad history of politicians who tell voters they
oppose taxes then break their promise once elected. Will
November 2005 bring us more of the same? by
Patrick McSweeney
Here
We Go Again. The
state budget is brimming with surplus revenues, but
legislators are sowing the seeds of Virginia's next
fiscal crisis by embracing new, long-term spending
commitments. by
Patrick McSweeney
A
View from the Heartland. Scattered,
low-density settlement patterns make us sitting ducks
for energy shocks and natural disasters. by
EM Risse
"Take
Me Now, Lord, I
Don't Want to See No More"
That
was the week that was -- in quotations. by
Barnie Day
Political
Imperatives in 2006. It's
time for General Assembly Republicans to get serious
about governing -- and time for Democrats to stop
bailing them out from their mistakes. by
Barnie Day
The
China Challenge. The
United States may dominate the global economy today, but
China is coming up fast. As developing countries surpass
us in scientific and engineering talent, we lose our
biggest competitive advantage in the global economy. Sponsored
Content
Banging
the Potts. Russ
Potts is one tough blogger. The Blue Dog and his friends
pulled no punches in their blog conference, but Potts
gave as good as he got. by
Steven Sisson
The
$9.5 Billion Man. Chuck
Caputo is campaigning as a consensus- building
candidate. But his agenda calls for an
unprecedented $9.5 billion in new state spending. by
Philip Rodokanakis
Questions
for the AG Candidates. There
are two kinds of questions to ask candidates for
Attorney General: Those that voters care about --
and those that actually pertain to the AG's job. by
Steve Haner
-
September 19 -
It's
the Global Economy, Stupid. A
"flat" world is opening Virginia's economy to
ferocious foreign competition. Business people worry
about it every day. Our candidates for statewide office
appear to be clueless. by
James A. Bacon
Twin
Hopes. Virginians
hope that their candidates listen to them -- and
that they don’t. by
Doug Koelemay
Baliles
Sharpens the Debate. Jerry
Baliles has proposed a bold plan to increase
transportation funding. Trouble is, it would just inject
more money into the same failed transportation policies
of the past. by
Patrick McSweeney
Warner
Blinked. In
his bid for the U.S. presidency, Mark Warner made a
serious error in ruling out a 2006 run against
George Allen. by
Patrick McSweeney
Post
Labor Day Funk. Political
campaigns are supposed to pick up in September.
But the yack-fest that passes for debate in
Virginia has only distracted voters from the fundamental issues.
by
EM Risse
The
Big Lie in the Big Easy. The
Bush administration failed New Orleans and thousands
of people died. It's time for accountability, not
spin control. by
Barnie Day
Lock-Box
These Campaigns! Sound
bites and e-mail blasts are no substitute for
serious thought. Virginians deserve better from
their gubernatorial candidates. by
Barnie Day
What's
Our Disaster Response? New
Orleans children aren't the only ones suffering
from disaster. Forty-one failed Virginia schools
have inflicted a man-made catastrophe upon the
20,000 pupils they fail to educate. by
Chris Braunlich
A
Walk in the Park. The
Blue Dog schmoozes his way through the Buena Vista Labor
Day parade. by
Steven Sisson
A
Walk in the Park II. Jerry
Kilgore and Russ Potts will blog with the Blue Dog
-- why won't Tim Kaine? by
Steven Sisson
Supersize
Me! Jerry
Kilgore's diet for Virginia's clogged
transportation arteries is like eating a salad
with a helping of ice cream. Tim Kaine's nutritional plan is
worse: all
burgers and fries. by
Philip Rodokanakis
Questions
for a Faux Independent. Randy
Gilliland, a 91st House district candidate, is a
Democrat in an Independent's clothing. Here are 10
questions he should answer. by
James Atticus Bowden
Herding
Candidates. Contenders
for House of Delegates this year offer loads of
solutions for solving Virginia's road woes. The
ideas have little in common except promising to get
someone else to pay for the improvements. by
Steve Haner
The
Lessons of Katrina. Virginians
don't have to worry about broken levees, but
Hurricane Katrina still gave
us plenty to think about. by
Fred Williamson and Joanna Hanks
Medicaid
Reform for Virginia. A
House Republican task force is exploring
innovative strategies for bringing Medicaid
spending under control while preserving the
quality of care for the poor. by
Del. Phillip Hamilton
-
September 5 -
Carpool
Comeback. Thanks
to $3-per-gallon gasoline and NuRide's online,
ride-sharing service, carpooling could stage a big
rebound. by
James A. Bacon
The
Last Hurricane Party. When
New Orleans needed competence from the feds, it
got lame excuses, political spin and an avoidable
catastrophe. Without changes, we're next. by
Doug Koelemay
What
Was Kaine Thinking? By
agreeing to debate Russ Potts, Tim Kaine is taking a
huge risk. Potts could well drain more votes from
Kaine than Jerry Kilgore. by
Patrick McSweeney
Warner's
Credibility Gap. Mark
Warner bamboozled voters twice regarding his
intention to raise taxes. Now he wants people to
trust him as he negotiates $3 billion in VITA
contracts. by
Patrick McSweeney
Down
Memory Lane with Katrina. Hurricane
Katrina was anything but a "natural"
disaster. New Orleans' vulnerability to a Cat 5
hurricane has been well documented since the
1970s, if not earlier. by
EM Risse
The
M&M Factor. Virginia
normally leans Republican. But the 2005 election
isn't normal. Electoral Math + Mark Warner tips the
odds to Tim Kaine. by
Barnie Day
Baliles
Weighs In. Former
Gov. Jerry
Baliles has altered the terms of the transportation
debate with a bold new proposal: Raise $1 billion a
year through tolls on Virginia Interstates. by
Barnie Day
Spending
the Surplus. There's
a good chance that the state is heading for a $2
billion surplus. Let's spend it on one-time
projects that won't run up future government
obligations. by
Michael Thompson
Blue
Moon Over Venezuela. Pat
Robertson was wrong to advocate the assassination of
Huge Chavez, but he was right to label the Venezuelan
strongman as a threat to the United States -- and his
own people. by
Steven Sisson
Feelings
vs. Facts. The
case for extending Metro rail to Dulles plays upon
the emotions. The case against it is based upon
facts and logic. by
Philip Rodokanakis
Sand
in the Gear.
The
moneyed interests and political establish- ment
have failed for years to get rid of true-blue
conservative Tom Gear, R-Hampton. In 2005, they're
giving it one more shot. by
James Atticus Bowden
Your
Budget's So Big... How
big was Virginia's 2005 budget surplus? It was so
big that 2006 revenues could shrink and the state still
would run a surplus. by
Steve Haner
Amendment
or Legislation? Until
Virginians amend the state Constitution, property
owners have no lasting security. Private property
remains subject to the caprice of local officials
and each new General Assembly. by
Jeremy P. Hopkins
The
Black Vote in 2005. African
Americans will favor Tim Kaine this November, but
perhaps not by the same margin that Democratic
candidates are accustomed to. by
Conaway Haskins
Virginia
Pundit Watch. Another
Campaign Overshadowed. by
Will Vehrs
Down
the Drain or Waste Not, Want Not: Wastewater
Treatment in Virginia. by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
August 22 -
Does
Not Compute. VDOT's
forecasting model is the best yet devised, but it's
still grievously flawed. Virginia does not face $108 billion in
unmet transportation needs over the next 20 years. by
James A. Bacon
Hypocrisy
Helps. To
feign and dissemble are human, but it doesn't
bring progress. Endangered species, gas prices and
illegal immigrants could all use some straight
talk. by
Doug Koelemay
Bidding
War. Tim
Kaine and Jerry Kilgore are vying to see who can promise
the most new spending for education. It's more of the
same policy that's been failing us for the past 50
years. by
Patrick McSweeney
No
Dog-Whistle Campaigning. There
is no fudging in the abortion debate. Either
Virginia's gubernatorial candidates clarify their
positions or they risk losing big chunks of the
electorate. by
Patrick McSweeney
Balanced
Communities. Developing
Balanced Communities is critical to
achieving sustainable New Urban Regions in a
globally competitive economy. Herewith is a primer
on what they are and how to create them. by
EM Risse
The
Sprint to November. A
10-Point Survivor's Guide to the Winner's Circle. by
Barnie Day
Hard
Times. Richmond,
1865.... Henrico, 2005... The barbarian still lurks within us.
by
Barnie Day
Starting
with A Clean Slate. What
would local government look like if you could
design it from the ground up? Thanks to Sandy
Springs, Ga., we'll soon find out. by
Geoffrey Segal
Blue
Dog Muzzled. Tim
Kaine is the only statewide candidate who won't
give the Blue Dog an interview -- all because of a
little satire. Chill out, guys, the Blue Dog barks
at everyone. by
Steven Sisson
Illegals
and the Nanny State. The
Cheap Labor lobby accuses Virginians of racism for
opposing the influx of illegal immigrants into the
state. We're not racist - we just oppose subsidies
for lawbreakers. by
Steven Sisson
Virginia's
Fiscal Windmill. Virginia's
politicians have proven themselves incapable of
reining in state spending. The only recourse is
enacting constitutional spending limits, A
Taxpayer Bill of Rights. by
Philip Rodokanakis
A
Record of Reform. VDOT
isn't the only star in state government. The
Warner administration has built a strong record of
cutting costs and improving performance. by
William Leighty
Virginia
Pundit Watch. Teeing
Off on Virginia. by
Will Vehrs
Tunnel
Vision: Blasting through Rock, Burrowing under
the Bay
by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
August 8 -
The
Shucet Effect. If
the rest of state government had kept pace with VDOT
over the past three years, Virginia could have cut
spending by nearly $900 million. Don't tell me there's
no waste left in government! by
James A. Bacon
We
Are What We Finance. Virginia
pension funds, not just private companies, could
grow on "profits" from credit-worthy
infrastructure projects. by
Doug Koelemay
In
Search of a Budget Strategy. The
state's swelling budget surplus should embarrass
Gov. Warner, but it doesn't. He says we need it to
pay for Virginia's bottomless needs. In other words,
spending is out of control. by
Patrick McSweeney
Voters
Want Substance. Transportation
will dominate next year's General Assembly session,
yet the press treatment of the issue goes no deeper
than campaign platitudes and media handouts. by
Patrick McSweeney
"Collapse,"
an Appreciation. Jared
Diamond's master work surveys the collapse of
unsustainable societies from the ancient Mayans to the
Greenland Norse. There are lessons there for 21st
century Virginians. by
EM Risse
Reading
the Mason-Dixon Poll. Mark
Warner is the most popular governor in the history
of the Mason Dixon poll, and voters aren't buying
the GOP flat-earth agenda. Things are looking up for
Tim Kaine. by
Barnie Day
A
Castle for Your Cottage. Thanks
to the Supreme Court, municipalities have more
leeway than ever to condemn your property in the
name of the "public good." The General
Assembly needs to set things right. by
Chris Braunlich
Cultural
Lightning Rods. The
Supreme Court selection process will spill into
Virginia's gubernatorial contest by highlighting
the controversies over abortion, gay marriage and
stem cell research. by
Steven Sisson
PG-13
Library Cards. Libraries
are for the edification of the masses, not their
entertainment. Can we please sweep them clean
of CDs, DVDs and Internet pornography? by
Steven Sisson
Republican
Mutes. No
one expects Democrats to tell the truth about Gov.
Warner’s fiscal record, but why are the
Republicans so silent? by
Philip Rodokanakis
Principles
for Tax Reform. The
abomination labeled "tax reform" in 2004 was
anything but. The basic principles underlying Virginia's
tax code should include fairness, appropriateness and
minimalism. by
James Atticus Bowden
Virginia
Pundit Watch. Hands
Down, It's Hinkle. by
Will Vehrs
Nice
& Curious Questions.
Limestone
and Karst: Caves
in Virginia. by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
July 25 -
Rush
Hour Will Never Be the Same. Technology
is liberating workers from the tyranny of the central workplace, scrambling commuting patterns in
the process. Our transportation policies are still
catching up. by
James A. Bacon
Smell
the Red Herrings. Virginians
will be the losers if the election debate focuses
on the world according to the political
consultants.
by
Doug Koelemay
Shades
of 1989. Hearings
over U.S. Supreme Court appointments could influence
Virginia elections this year by elevating the
visibility social issues. by
Patrick McSweeney
Tolls
Versus Taxes. Tolls
beat taxes as a funding mechanism for transportation
projects because those with money at risk have
reason to make realistic assumptions about costs
and traffic.
by
Patrick McSweeney
The
Shelter Crisis. The
price of housing is getting out of reach for a
majority of Virginians. The solution isn't more
government subsidies, which are part of the
problem, but putting houses in the right
locations. by
EM Risse
Discordant
Trio. Adam
Smith, Andrew Jackson and Henry Ford originated
powerful strains of thought in American democracy.
Each one has its merits. But working in
concert, they create an unsustainable society. by
EM Risse
Guru
of Gridlock. Tim
Lomax, co-author
of the 2005 Urban Mobility Study, says there’s
no simple remedy for traffic congestion --
Americans need to try a wide range of strategies.
His thinking could pave the way for the Network of
Space. Sponsored
content
Short-Changing
Virginia's Vets. Virginia's
90,000 veterans receive lower disability benefits
than their counterparts in 49 other states. Someone
needs to hold Washington accountable. by
Barnie Day
Give
It Back! The
state's budget surplus is approaching $2 billion a
year. It's time to rebate some of it back to the
taxpayers. by
Michael Thompson
Faith
of Our Fathers. The
"Separation of Church and State"
doctrine originated as a reaction to the Anglican
Church's close ties to the colonial government,
not a rejection of all religion in the government
sphere. by
Steven Sisson
Ten
Commandments Purgatory. A
recent Supreme Court ruling has put the Ten
Commandments issue back in the public eye. Here's
how the candidates parse the ruling. by
Steven Sisson
Accountable
Government. There's
more to "fiscal responsibility" than
raising taxes. Virginia needs to restrain
spending, and appointing an independent Inspector
General is a good place to start. by
Philip Rodokanakis
The
Odd Couple. Bill
Howell and John Chichester find themselves at odds
over tax policy. But in a throwback to a past
political era, the two senior legislators manage
to stay friends. by
John Goolrick
Virginia
Pundit Watch. Polls
Trump Debate? by
Will Vehrs
Nice
& Curious Questions.
No
More Free Rides: Toll Roads in Virginia. by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
July 11 -
The
Maintenance Mantra. The
Road Gang wants you to believe that the surging
maintenance budget for Virginia's roads justifies another tax
increase. Take a closer look at the numbers before you
buy their story. by
James A. Bacon
May
the Healthforce Be With You.
Without
waiting for government to study the problem yet
again, Northern Virginians are expanding their
healthcare workforce. by
Doug Koelemay
A
Budget Impasse in 2006? Government
shutdowns are the nuclear option of state politics.
Virginia could be heading for just such a calamity
over transportation taxes. by
Patrick McSweeney
Kelo
v. the Constitution. The
Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain has
galvanized the property rights movement in Virginia.
Even the politicians are hopping aboard. by
Patrick McSweeney
Cranky
Cranwell. Gov.
Warner counsels rapprochement with Republicans in
Virginia. But the Democrats' new party chair has
swung into attack mode. by
Patrick McSweeney
Transport
in the November Election. Politicians
are fixated on finding more money for Virginia's
ailing transportation system, whether through
taxes, tolls or private investment. But
without Balanced Communities, there will never
be enough money. by
EM Risse
Where
There's Smoke... MZM,
the Washington-based security contractor in hot
water with the feds, has extensive ties to Virginia
Republicans. Who knows where the threads will lead
to? by
Barnie Day
The
Debate Debate. Jerry
Kilgore is making a fatal mistake refusing to debate
Russ Potts. Love him or hate him, Potts is a
legitimate candidate, and it makes Kilgore look weak
to avoid him. by
Barnie Day
Your
Money... or Your Home. Now
there's another reason to limit local government
spending: to curtail municipalities' appetite not
only for our money but our property.by
Geoffrey Segal
Byrned
Out? If
Leslie Byrne isn't the most liberal candidate to
run for statewide office in Virginia, you can be
darn sure the Bolling campaign will paint her that
way. by
Steven Sisson
The
Blue Dog Muzzled. What
happened to freedom of religion? Even in the
conservative Shenandoah Valley, the public-prayer police
are ever vigilant against the public expression of
religious sentiment. by
Steven Sisson
Accidental
Pirates. In
a world of evolving technology, outdated laws could
criminalize innocent acts like using a Wi-Fi network.
Virginia needs to give its state code an overhaul. by
Philip Rodokanakis
Virginia's
Finitudes. Let's
explore a new principle of state/local taxation:
People should pay based upon how hard they use and
abuse Virginia's finite resources of land, water
and air. by
James Atticus Bowden
Virginia
Pundit Watch. "Beach,
baseball and brewskis." by
Will Vehrs
Nice
& Curious Questions.
Don’t
Wash a Mule on the Sidewalk: Odd Laws, Obsolete
Ordinances. by
Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
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June 20 -
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