2007
-
December 27 -
Education
for the 21st Century. As
Virginians embrace lifelong learning, children
will no longer progress in chronological lockstep,
study a mere nine months a year and confine their
education to school buildings. by
James A. Bacon
The
Rise and Fall of Journalism. The
age of traditional journalism is ending as media
Enterprises lose their grip on information markets
and advertising revenues decline. The big
question: Can citizen-generation information take
its place? by
EM Risse
Why
Metro-to-Tysons Is a Mess. The
reason the Metro-to-Dulles project is in danger of
collapsing can be traced to unbalanced
development, conflicting interests among
landowners and developers, and the politics of
Business As Usual. by
EM Risse
Making
Government Work. Innovation
in state government is not an oxymoron. The
Productivity Investment Fund acts like an in-house
venture capitalist to underwrite projects that
spur superior efficiency and service. by
Michael Thompson
The
Rhetoric of the Tax Debate. Mark
Warner knew how to beguile Republicans lawmakers
who didn't like to raise taxes. Tim Kaine doesn't
have the same knack: He's just getting them mad. by
Norm Leahy
Rethinking
North Anna. Sure,
Dominion’s third nuclear unit would have a small
carbon footprint and be politically correct. But
there are plenty of unanswered questions, from
safety, to unproven new technologies, to cost, to
fuel. by Peter Galuszka
Cleaner,
Cheaper, Better. Simple
changes in rate-making philosophy could encourage
Virginia's natural gas utilities to promote
conservation of their clean, efficient fuel --
helping consumers and the environment alike. by
Jim Kibler
Nice
& Curious Questions. Timing
Is Everything: Stoplights in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
December 10 -
Conservation
Capitalism. Want
to increase energy efficiency, ward off global
warming and save the planet? Then send in the
capitalists. They have the creativity, resources
and drive to get the job done. by
James A. Bacon
400
Years Behind. For
all the resources it has expended, Virginia has
made marginal progress cleaning up the Bay. The
key data point: Three million more people live in
the Chesapeake watershed than did 25 years ago. by
Doug Koelemay
The
Estates Matrix. Estates,
the organizing constructs of human society, have
undergone dramatic conversions over the past 700
years. In the process, the Fourth estate has
relinquished its once-decisive role. by
EM Risse
Let
the Greenway Bloom. Tolls
from the Dulles Greenway are funding road
improvements that government can't afford to make,
and investors are watching to see how fairly
Virginia regulators treat private risk capital. by
Leonard Gilroy
Heed
the Guy Who Stayed Home. Jim
Gilmore has a near-lock on the GOP nomination for
U.S. Senate next year. But he would be wise to
listen to Chris Saxman, the up-and-comer who chose
not to challenge him. by Norm Leahy
Forget
Passenger Rail. Norfolk
Southern's CEO provides clarity regarding the high
cost of infrastructure and the lack of political
will to pay for it. So much for the dreamy-eyed
fantasies of those pricey consultants. by
Peter Galuszka
Citizen,
Heal Thyself. Poor
health in coalfield communities is a national
disgrace. Citizens need to mobilize schools,
churches and government agencies to instruct
children in healthier lifestyles. by
Frank Kilgore
Nice
& Curious Questions.
It's
Not My Neighbor's Water: Turning on the Tap in
Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
November 26 -
Vision
Impaired. Jim
Crupi is right about one thing: Richmond's
regional leaders lack strategic vision. They can
correct that deficiency by throwing out Crupi's
policy prescriptions and doing their own thinking.
by James A. Bacon
Giving
Thanks for Times Shared. Those
missing remain a part of Thanksgiving. by Doug
Koelemay
Introduction
to "The Estates Matrix". by
EM Risse
The
Morphed Estate. The
Fourth Estate has abdicated its responsibilities.
Citizens can no longer rely upon the MainStream
Media to provide the news they need to participate
in a democratic polity and market economy. by
EM Risse
Gold
Stars for Virginia. Virginia,
with Fairfax County leading the way, has one of
the highest rates in the country of students who
take advanced high school courses -- and score
well on exams. by Chris Braunlich
The
Invisible Working Class. Blogger
Bageant reveals the bleak prospects for
Virginia’s working class, using Winchester as
his laboratory. Why don’t elites care? by
Peter Galuszka
Turning
Capitalism Loose on Roads. Government
can barely maintain the roads it has. To expand
highway infrastructure, the nation is turning by
default to tolls and private investment. by
Kenneth Orski
Transmission
Travesty. Virginia
regulators are taking a go-slow approach to
Dominion's proposed high-voltage transmission
line. But the feds are creating a mechanism that
could bypass state authority. by Barbara
Kessinger
Nice
& Curious Questions. Haunted
Virginia: Ghosts in the Old Dominion. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
November 12 -
Hidden
Advantage. Flexible
labor markets are Virginia's unappreciated competitive
edge. They speed the redeployment of workers from low
value-added businesses to high-performance enterprises. by
James A. Bacon
Blow
Against the Wind?
The
political pros know that running with the numbers
is better than running with the issues.
by
Doug Koelemay
One
More? Two More? How
many more years of political fraud must we endure? Here
are some proposals to make the political system more
responsive to the needs of a 21st-century polity. by
EM Risse
It
Was Closer Than It Looked. The
Democrats are crowing after their triumph over General
Assembly Republicans. But their margin of victory was a
lot closer than the newspaper headlines let on. by
Michael Thompson
Truth
in Packaging. The
CW says Republicans lost General Assembly seats
last week because their candidates were too
conservative. But look closely:
"Moderates" were evicted, while those
who stuck to their principles survived. by
Norm Leahy
The
70 percent solution. Virginians
look to local government for solid data on issues like
illegal immigration. But there is no evidence supporting
Chesterfield County's estimate that seven of 10
Hispanics in the county are there illegally. by
Peter Galuszka
If
He Wasn't Whining, Would
We Notice Him At All?
Tom
Davis is living proof that the "big tent"
strategy is a loser for Republicans if it means
conservatives are filing out the back door. by
John Taylor
Nice
& Curious Questions. Weigh
Stations in Virginia: Or
How Heavy is That 18-Wheeler? by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
October 29 -
The
Ruling Party. Forget
Dems and Republicans. The people who run Virginia
are the vested interests that hire the lobbyists
and pass out campaign donations. Their
never-changing mission: to buttress the status
quo. by
James A. Bacon
It's
the Network. Skip
the political rhetoric and apply a tech truism to
transportation for a clearer view of the
challenge. by
Doug Koelemay
A
Waste of Energy. Most
"energy conservation" initiatives fall
short because they don't address dysfunctional
human settlement patterns, the root cause of
excess consumption. by
EM Risse
Wolf
in Sheep's Clothing. By
bashing the Dulles Greenway, Congressman Frank
Wolf purports to stand up for Virginia's weak and
defenseless commuters. In reality, he could be
driving off private investment in the state's
highways. by
Leonard Gilroy
Still
Time for Surprises. The
U.S. Senate race is shaping up as a match between
Jim Gilmore and Mark-not-John Warner. But Gilmore
doesn't have a lock on the nomination yet: There
is running room to his right. by
Norm Leahy
Jo
Ann Davis. 1950
- 2007. by
James Atticus Bowden
Alternate
Universe. There's
one world that participates in a globally
connected economy. Then there's Virginia, which is
making a name for itself as a hotbed of nativism. by
Peter Galuszka
Harvesting
Rainwater. Rain
cisterns are an ancient solution to a still-
pervasive problem. Widespread use would stretch
urban water resources and temper the impact of
storm-water run off. by
Richard Thornton
-
October 15 -
Taxes,
Government and Prosperity. Virginia
can't tax its way to prosperity, but starving critical assets like roads and
schools won't create wealth either. The solution: Demand
productivity and innovation from state and municipal
government. by
James A. Bacon
A
Bottle of Exhaust. An
innovative Virginia could use a state R&D tax credit
and a global view. by
Doug Koelemay
Tulips
and the Maritime Highway. Moving
goods on water rather than roads can be a good
thing, but it's only a tiny part of the solution.
Creating a sustainable trajectory for civilization
requires shipping goods shorter distances. by
EM Risse
There
They Go Again. The
Fairfax County staff used every trick in the book
rebutting the Thomas Jefferson Institute's analysis of
the county budget, but there's no hiding the fact that
spending needs outside oversight. by
Michael Thompson
Election
Pre-Mortem. It's
looking grim for General Assembly Republicans in this
November's election. Here's why they're likely to lose
-- and how losing can be the best thing that happens to
them. by
Norm Leahy
Plato's
Cave. Some
may rejoice at the decline of the "Mainstream
Media" but cuts in news staffs threaten to
leave us ill informed about what's happening
around the world. No number of blogs can make up
for it. by
Peter Galuszka
Nice
& Curious Questions. Anglers
in Virginia: From Roanoke Bass to Green Sunfish. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
October
1, 2007
Dead
End. Virginia's
corporate recruitment strategy still delivers
results. That's the problem. By neglecting
home-grown entrepreneurial companies, Virginia is
falling short of its economic potential. by
James A. Bacon
Swallow
a Toad. Observations
on the November 6 elections are getting more
colorful. by Doug Koelemay
Perhaps
We Should Call Them "Safe Street" Fees.
Totally
lost in the controversy over "abuser
fees" is the fact that they work. Stiff
penalties for reckless driving has resulted in...
less reckless driving!
by
Michael Thompson
Virginia
is for Gulags. A
plan for a special prison for illegal aliens is
jolting. Is it really needed, or is its purpose to
draw attention from GOP failures? by
Peter Galuszka
VIVA
Downtown Markham! Suburban
Toronto's New Markham project, a mixed use
community served by Bus Rapid Transit, could serve
as a new model for development in Northern
Virginia. by
Bill Vincent
Nice
& Curious Questions. Outside
School Walls: Home schooling in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
September 17 -
A
Bug in the Ointment. The
relocation of Volkswagen USA to Fairfax County is a P.R.
bonanza for Virginia. But is the region, already
buckling under growth, prepared to handle the
influx of 400 more jobs? by
James A. Bacon
Measuring
Prosperity. There
are two ways to increase the standard of living:
Increase income and reduce the cost of living. Virginia
policy makers focus on the one and not the other. by
James A. Bacon
Chambers
of Secrets. A
first-hand look at the old and new in London and in
Richmond illustrates why legislative bodies remain
living things. by
Doug Koelemay
Loosening
the Beltway. Congestion
on the Washington Beltway will ease at last when a
private consortium builds new lanes, upgrades the
roadway and uses variable- pricing tolls to
establish free-flowing traffic. by
Leonard Gilroy
Virginia
Values. State
Republicans don't have to apologize for
"Virginia values" like liberty, limited
government and the primacy of civil society. They
just have to articulate them in a way that
resonates with voters. by
Norman Leahy
The
Highwaymen.
The
politicians have turned traffic cops into a scourge.
They plague Virginia's roads, arresting citizens for
arbitrary laws and plundering their wealth under the
guise of "abuser fees." by
Mike Smith
-
September 4 -
Economy
4.0: Introduction. Virginia
needs fresh thinking about how to build more
prosperous, livable and sustainable communities in
a globally competitive economy. The "Economy
4.0" series is a start. by
James A. Bacon
Peak
Performance in a Flat World. There
is no easy path to prosperity and sustainability
in a globally competitive economy, only the
relentless pursuit of productivity and innovation.
Virginia must bend every institution to that end. by
James A. Bacon
A
Second Stroll with Katrina. We
haven't made much progress preparing New Orleans
for another hurricane, but at least we have a
clearer idea of what went wrong. Dysfunctional
human settlement patterns + Business As Usual
governance = disaster. by
EM Risse
Love
Hurts. Christian
Americans are conflicted on the issue of illegal
immigration: torn between compassion for poor,
struggling newcomers and respect for the Rule of
Law. by James Atticus Bowden
Don't
Write Off "Reading First". The
Reading First program has led to dramatic gains
among pupils in high-poverty school systems. Why
does Rep. David Obey want to cut it back? by
Chris Braunlich
Nasty,
Brutish and Short. The
life of the pit bull is marked by violent struggle
and death. The only creatures more bloodthirsty --
a long line of them, since the time of the Romans
-- are the humans who fight dogs for sport. by
Norman Leahy
Castles
of Sand. America's
love of sea and sand is leading to rapid
over-development of the East Coast barrier
islands. Mother Nature is fighting back. by
Norman Leahy
HOT
Commodity. HOT
lanes on Interstate 95 could make way for
public-private partnerships and congestion pricing
across Virginia. But questions about the project
linger, and public support is fragile. by Lyle
Solla-Yates
Berkeley
the Butcher. Gov.
William Berkeley, suppresser of Bacon's Rebellion,
instituted race-based slavery in Virginia and
organized the Cherokee raids that enslaved
thousands of Native Americans. by Richard L.
Thornton
Nice
& Curious Questions. School
Days Governing the Academy in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
August 13 -
Vanquishing
the Density Demon. There's
no reason that higher density has to mean worse traffic
congestion. In the face of population growth and
commercial development, Arlington County has kept its
streets gridlock-free. by
James A. Bacon
A
Haunted Peace. A
new academic year will bring a measure of tranquility,
if not quiet, to Virginia Tech. by
Doug Koelemay
GLOSSARY:
The Online Edition. The
first step in creating a sustainable society is to use
words that precisely describe the world as it is. Today,
we update the glossary of those words. by
EM Risse
Enough,
Already! Abuser
fees are getting all the attention during this year's
election cycle, crowding out discussion of more
important issues such as impending budget deficits and
out-of-control state spending. by
Mike Thompson
Nice
& Curious Questions. Where
There's Smoke... Fighting Fires in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
July 30 -
Libraries
as Liberators.
Libraries
of yore were quiet, musty places run by bookish
schoolmarms. Today these activity centers pack in the
visitors, create economic value and even help transform
human settlement patterns. by
James A. Bacon
Balance.
State
and local officials should help citizens keep
centered on undocumented immigration. by
Doug Koelemay
End
of the Family as we Know It. The
word "family" means many things to many
people. For purposes of examining human settlement
patterns, the term "household" is more
precise. by
EM Risse
Google
Government. The
Internet creates an opportunity to bring unprecedented
transparency to state and local government. Virginia
could learn from other states. by
Geoff Segal
Taking
Back the State. Prince
William County took the first bold action to reclaim
Virginia from illegal aliens and their defenders. The
revolt has only just begun. by
Ronald Maxwell
Nice
& Curious Questions. Turning
on the Lights: Virginia's Power Grid. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
July 16 -
The
Next Transportation Crisis. The
federal highway trust fund has blown through its cash
balance, and gasoline tax receipts are down. In the
years ahead Virginia will be hard pressed to make up the
difference. by
James A. Bacon
All
in a Night's Work. The
Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is gaining
respect with its business-like approach. by
Doug Koelemay
How
About Sustainable Logic? In
the community of people who think seriously about
economic development and the natural environment,
"sustainable" has a specific meaning. In
Virginia, that meaning has been corrupted by loose
usage. by
EM Risse
Recreo
Lectio! The
Harry Potter books have done what a nation of
parents backed by an army of educators could not
do: Inspire a revival of reading among young
children. by
Chris Braunlich
A
String of Fish. An
assortment of political observations as varied as
catfish and trout, bass and shad... by
James Atticus Bowden
The
Politician Surplus. George
Allen, Mark Warner and possibly even Jim Gilmore could
be eyeing a race for governor in 2009. Virginians would
be better off with fresh faces and fresh ideas. By
Norman Leahy
FOIA
Fiddle-Faddle. Not
all publicly funded organizations are public bodies.
Student governments should not be subject to the Freedom
of Information Act -- but they should practice good
government. by
Becky Dale
The
Tax Increase That Dares Not Speak Its Name. Abuser
fees are needlessly harsh and will be applied
inequitably -- all because the General Assembly wants to
raise revenue without calling it a tax increase. by
Publius II
The
Commonwealth is Flat. Northern
Virginia has more work than it can handle, and it makes
sense to "outsource" jobs to downstate
communities. But someone has to build the broadband
connections first. by
Groveton
The
Unfair Service Fund. Proposed
changes to the federal Universal Service Fund would
limit wireless investment in rural Virginia, slowing the
deployment of critical broadband access. by
John E. Rooney
Halfway
to Healthy.
The
condition of the James River has improved in
recent years, but polluted runoff from farms and
asphalt threaten the historic waterway's continued
recovery. by
Bill Street
Nice
& Curious Questions. Crossing
State Lines: Virginia's Neighbors. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
July 2 -
Midlothian
Leviathan. The
impact of a Midlothian commuter rail project on the
Richmond region could be enormous -- if Chesterfield
County puts into place the necessary zoning and special
tax districts. by
James A. Bacon
Double
Shot. Virginians
are finally debating the convoluted new law that
punishes "abusive drivers" twice: with
fines and
fees. A little late, but better
than never. by
Doug Koelemay
Still
No Exit. Earth
is the only biosphere we've got. Gliese 581-C-A,
the closest potentially earth-like planet yet
discovered, is 20 light-years away. We must build
a sustainable civilization here at home. by
EM Risse
Slow
and Unsteady. Economic
growth will slow in Virginia next year. Short-term, we
must restrain state government spending to match. Long-term,
we need to devise a fix for boom-bust budgeting. by
Michael Thompson
A
Party Divided Shall Stand. Discord
in the Republican Party is a sign of healthy struggle
between the People and politicians who have been
co-opted by the political system. by
James Atticus Bowden
Annoy
a Politician. Bypass
the political establishment: Support an Initiative
& Referendum amendment to the state
constitution. By
Norman Leahy
Nice
& Curious Questions. The
Tribes of Virginia: American Indians in the
Commonwealth. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
June 19 -
Fire
Trucks and Bike Lanes. Wilton
on the James has solved the intractable "design by
fire truck" issue without sacrificing its
commitment to a pedestrian-oriented community. The
result: an impressive network of bike paths. by
James A. Bacon
Megapolitan.
Consider
one great statistical region named
"Chesapeake." by
Doug Koelemay
The
Conservation Imperative. No
fantastical technology, green or otherwise, can keep the
world on its increasingly energy-intensive development
path. We need to get serious about conservation. by
EM Risse
Unconstitutional
Power Grab. Two
congressmen want to stop the states from utilizing
public-private partnerships to finance new road
construction. A little thing called the Tenth Amendment
stands in the way. by
Geoff Segal
It's
All Our Fault! Don't
blame
the politicians, blame the voters. According to
Bryan Caplan, they can exercise their irrational
biases -- against foreigners, oil companies, the market, whomever --
with no fear of retribution. By
Norman Leahy
Isolated
Case or System Failure? The
most critical questions of the Virginia Tech shootings
are going unasked. Why did Virginia's mental health
agencies let Seung-Hui Cho fall between the cracks? Is
anyone else at risk? by
Sam Mela
Nice
& Curious Questions. Virginia's
Counties:A Day's Journey to the Courthouse. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
May 28 -
The
Excesses of Affluence. Americans
are addicted to hyper- consumption. The stuff we buy
doesn't make us any happier -- we throw most of it away.
But it does mortgage our financial future and despoil
the environment. by
James A. Bacon
Investments
in Transparency. The
Virginia Public Access Project has put the Old
Dominion in the forefront of transparency in
elections and government. by
Doug Koelemay
We
Should Have Seen It Coming. Virginia
faces a $300 million revenue shortfall this year.
Yet only four months ago, lawmakers approved $700
million in spending increases, despite clear signs
of an economic slowdown. by
Michael Thompson
Speak
to the Camera. Hampton
Roads voters need to ask their public officials a few
tough questions before deciding whether or not to create
an unelected, unaccountable regional transportation
authority. James
A. Bowden
The
Challenge of a Challenger. In
running against Sen. Walter Stosch, Joe Blackburn
is taking one of the most powerful figures in the
GOP establishment. But disillusioned rank-and-file
Republicans may be ready for a change. By
Norman Leahy
Nice
& Curious Questions. Pick
4 or Mega Millions: Lottery Games in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
May 14 -
New
Kent Ferment. Pete
Johns has found a way to make growth to pay for
itself: Pay $7,500 per house in proffers, issue
$86 million in CDA bonds, and sell houses to
affluent retirees with no children in school. by
James A. Bacon
Leadership
in the New Economy. Technology
is still propelling the American economy forward.
Virginia is doing well in this sector -- but not
as well as it could. by
Doug Koelemay
What
Is Wrong with this Picture?
Yes, the
United States does need to invest more money on
infrastructure. But without Fundamental Change in
human settlement patterns, most of the spending
would be squandered. by
EM Risse
Putting
the Family back in the "College Family".
One way to
make colleges safer is to keep parents informed
when their children pose a danger to themselves or
others. by
Chris Braunlich
Ten
Reasons to Read Rosetta 6.2.
Jim Bowden
plugs his newly published novel, a
spiritual/political thriller set in the near
future. by James A. Bowden
-
April 30 -
Missing
the Point. A
Heritage Foundation paper attacking the Journey Through
Hallowed Ground as a tool of Virginia's landed elite is
unsupported by the facts. Worse, it slights the
Journey's important contributions. by
James A. Bacon
Feed
the Creative Temperament. Rural
areas should chase more talent, fewer jobs. by
Doug Koelemay
Recent
Clippings. Overshadowed
by the horror at Virginia Tech, the MainStream
Media contributed some solid reporting last week
about taxes and the environment. All the stories
lacked was an overarching context. by
EM Risse
Liberate
the Liquor Business. More
money for roads, more choice for consumers, more focused
enforcement of drinking laws -- what's not to like about
the privatization of state ABC stores? by
Geoff Segal
Healing
the Hokie Nation. The
massacre at Virginia Tech was a horror, but tragedy and
evil confronts us daily in lesser numbers. The answer is
Christian lovingkindness. by
James Atticus Bowden
Footing
the Bill. Fairfax
County has promised to make good any cost overruns in
the Rail-to-Dulles project. Supervisors should warn
taxpayers that they could wind up footing the bill. by
Phil Rodokanakis
What's
Eating Middle America? Illegal
immigration tops the list. The United States will have
illegals as long as a strong economy inspires foreigners
to sneak across the border. The only
"solution" -- recession -- is not one we
really want. by
Norman Leahy
-
April 16 -
Honoring
Hallowed Ground. Cate
Wyatt is reinventing the economy of Virginia's northern
piedmont. The Journey Through Hallowed Ground weaves
together heritage tourism, sustainable agriculture, landscape
preservation and Main Street renewal. by
James A. Bacon
Rule
of Law. Jamestown
2007 is taking Virginia back to basics. by
Doug Koelemay
All
Aboard! An
above-ground version of METRO rail can work in Tysons
Corner. But it will take two things: Public Way Rights
and a Pyramid development strategy. by
EM Risse
Call
for a "Roads Blueprint". Between
the new taxes just enacted and financing by the private
sector, Virginia should have ample funds to keep traffic
congestion under control. The trick is crafting a plan
and sticking to it. by
Michael Thompson
Legislative
Tyranny. Speaker
Bill Howell and AG Bob McDonnell circumvented the
Virginia Constitution by passing the 2007
transportation bill in defiance of the multiple
object rule. by
Phil Rodokanakis
I
Think We Should See Other People. Libertarians
have lost patience with big-government Republicans. But
it's not clear where they'd feel more welcome. by
Norman Leahy
Nice
& Curious Questions. Ties
that Bind: Virginia's Sister Cities. by Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
April 2 -
Brain
Games. Want
Virginia children to excel in school? Spending
$300 million a year on universal pre-K may not be
the best solution. Try teaching kids to eat right,
get enough sleep and stay away from the
television. by
James A. Bacon
Twilight
Zone Politics. The
Reading First program has boosted children's
reading performance in schools across Virginia,
but it may fall victim to the surreal politics of
No Child Left Behind. by
Chris Braunlich
The
Party's Over? Some
conservatives are looking for a way out of the
Grand Old Party. by
Norman Leahy
Green
is Good. Virginia
needs a comprehensive plan to encourage
conservation and renewable energy. Here's what it
should look like. by
Margi Vanderhye
Nice
& Curious Questions. Connecting
with the Earth: Organic Farms in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
March 21 -
Earthship
Westerdam. The
Westerdam isn't as self-contained as a spaceship,
but it's as close as anything you'll find on the
planet. Virginians have much to learn from the
cruise liner about sustainable human settlement
patterns. by
James A. Bacon
Tunnel
Vision. A
shovel in the ground early in 2008 is the right
answer for the Rail to Dulles project. by
Doug Koelemay
Size
Really Doesn't Matter. Yes,
the world would be better off if everyone drove
smaller, fuel-efficient, non-polluting cars. But
even small cars can't solve traffic congestion.
Only functional human settlement patterns can do
that. by E
M Risse
HOT
to Trot. A
decade of data from southern California proves
that HOT lanes provide time-sensitive drivers,
regardless of income, an alternative to driving in
congestion. Virginia, let's get moving! by
Geoff Segal
Politics
with a Capital "P". The
Republicans' transportation bill is a farce but
fighting it is a political loser. Gov. Kaine ought
to sign it and move on to other issues. by
Barnie Day
Nice
& Curious Questions. From
Smarts to Smokers: How
the Old Dominion Rates.
by Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
-
March 4 -
One
Man's Trash... is
another man's energy-rich biomass. Warrenton Mayor
George Fitch views the county landfill as the key
to energy independence. by
James A. Bacon
Voltage
Hogs. Virginia
has one of the most electricity- intensive
economies on the planet. One reason: State energy
policies don't foster conservation and energy
efficiency. by
James A. Bacon
Saving
Neither Life Nor Money. Fewer
than 25 percent of Medicaid-eligible children get
dental care. by
Doug Koelemay
Taxes,
Status and Ladies' Purses. Why
do politicians resist raising taxes for basic
government services? Blame the all-too-human
preference for status and luxuries over
necessities. by
E M Risse
Conservatism
and Fundamental
Change. The
principles behind The Shape of the Future
have been called "socialist,"
"fascist," and everything in between. We
call them profoundly conservative. by
E M Risse
March
Madness. The
GOP transportation plan isn't just bad policy,
it's bad politics. Republicans are fast losing
credibility as the party of low taxes and small
government. by
James Atticus Bowden
A
Good Start. The
transportation bill passed by the General Assembly
still needs fine tuning, but it injects new money
into the system along with greater accountability.
by Mike
Thompson
Transportation
Transgressions. Del.
David Albo complains that people are looking for
reasons to kill HB 3202. He is right, but only
because of the many illegal and unconstitutional
provisions in this bill. by
Phil Rodokanakis
Never
Better. Parkinsons
is a slow-motion crippler and killer. But the
disease has given me an appreciation of what is
truly good in life. by Barnie Day
Nice
& Curious Questions. Checking
Tailpipes: Car
inspections in Virginia.
by Edwin
S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
--
February 20 -
Transportation
Abomination. A
mutant
offspring of a tortured political process, the
transportation compromise before the General Assembly
will do more harm than good. Conferees should strangle
it in the crib. by James A.
Bacon
Looking
Down the Road. Even
as the General Assembly finalizes its political
short-term response to transportation finance
challenges, the long-term has arrived. by Doug
Koelemay
The
Transportation Tax Panic. The
transportation package backed by House and Senate
Republicans would raise taxes and create unaccountable
regional governments -- just to help the GOP survive the
next election. by
James Atticus Bowden
What
About the Children? In
vilifying Walter Stosch's tuition grants for disabled
children, opponents decry the impact on schools,
teachers, principals, even lawyers -- but they never
talk about the
children. by
Chris Braunlich
Slippery
Slope. Virginia's Republicans are backing higher
taxes and bigger government, ostensibly to save
themselves from electoral disaster. They are
taking the path to minority status. by
Phil Rodokanakis
Falling
Short. The
transportation bills before the Senate and House of
Delegates conferees fall short of the fundamental
reforms needed in transportation planning and priority
setting. by
Stewart Schwartz and Lisa Guthrie
Reforming
Regional Government. Regional
governments in Hampton Roads have a say in taxes, tolls
and major investments in critical infrastructure, but
the public is largely excluded from decision making.
Here are some remedies. by
Reid Greenmun
Nice
& Curious Questions. Tea
Leaves and Lifelines: Predicting
the Future in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
--
February 5 -
Power
Politics. Dominion
touts electric re-regulation as a way to ensure
energy independence for Virginia. But its vision
requires more power plants, not conservation,
energy efficiency or renewable fuels. by
James A. Bacon
Listening
to Generation Next. Students'
online dialogue in Northern Virginia mirrors
official discussions on state priorities. by
Doug Koelemay
Solving
the Commuter Problem. There
are no magic technological fixes for rush-hour
traffic congestion. The only real solution is
building balanced communities that support fewer,
shorter automobile trips. by EM Risse
Down
the Wrong Road. The
GOP transportation plan would employ
"subject-to-appropriation" bonds similar
to the "pledge" bonds that voters
rejected in 1990. Very bad idea. by
Patrick McSweeney
How
the GOP Lost its Majority. Republicans
became the majority party in Virginia by hewing to
their small-government principles. They will
revert to the minority by abandoning those same
principles. by
James Atticus Bowden
His
Way or No Highway. By
killing the GOP compromise plan, tyrannical
"King John" Chichester has shut down
Virginia's best chance to address the
transportation crisis -- all for what? Not
increasing taxes enough? by Geoff Segal
Plenty
of Work Left to Do. Only
three weeks left in the 2007 General Assembly
session and there's so much left to be done. by
Mike Thompson
The
Politics of Self Destruction. The
transportation impasse in the General Assembly is
not about what's best for Virginia. It's a raw
struggle for power. by Phil Rodokanakis
Free
the Roads! Want
to solve the transportation "crisis"?
Get VDOT and state government out of the equation:
Devolve, privatize and outsource. by
Mike Smith
Virginia
Royalty.
Kings and
Queens in Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
Q&A:
Building 14. The crucible of innovation in
corporate real estate is a non-descript office
building in San Jose, Calif. Inside, Mark Golan is
redefining the relationship between worker and
work space. by
James A. Bacon
--
January 22 -
Power
Play. Northern
Virginia could face blackouts by 2011. But is it
necessary to run a high-voltage transmission line
through Virginia's piedmont to avert them? Many
questions remain unanswered. by James A.
Bacon
Investing
for the New Economy. Meeting
the demands of a globally competitive economy
isn't just a Northern Virginia priority anymore.
Look what Harrisonburg. is doing. by Doug
Koelemay
A
Conservative of Conscience. Jim
Gilmore can win the GOP nomination for president because
he embraces the conservative positions that appeal to
Republican voters. by
James Atticus Bowden
Open
Letter to GOP Delegates. Don’t
believe for a minute that raising taxes and fees will
help you hold on to your majority. As no new roads will
be built for years, raising taxes now only guarantees to
alienate voters. by
Phil Rodokanakis
Into
the Fray. Media,
the Web and a Virginia Library. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
The
United States as Margaritaville. This
interview with Jim Young is the second of three Q&As
with commercial real estate visionaries exploring the
changing relationship between workers and the workplace.
by
James A. Bacon
--
January 8 -
The
Oregon Solution. Don't
take it on my word that mileage fees and
congestion charges are the best replacement for the
faltering gas tax. See what they're saying in the
land of Birkenstocks and lumberjacks. by James A.
Bacon
When
All Else Fails, Try Capitalism. Community
leaders in Tysons Corner are at wit's end to find ways
to reduce traffic congestion. One tool they haven't
considered is congestion pricing. Here's how such a
scheme might work. by James A.
Bacon
Transparency
and Truthiness. More
of one, less of the other, could help Virginia
meet its transportation responsibilities in 2007. by Doug
Koelemay
Can't
Take This -- Not Another Day! Virginia
politicians have finally discovered the "land
use" word -- they just don't know what it means.
Their so-called reforms will solve nothing. by EM
Risse
Summary
of TRILO-G. Backgrounder: TRILO-G combines "The Shape of the Future",
"BRIDGES", and "ACTION" to provide
understanding of human settlement patterns, current
commentary and a handbook for citizen action.
by
EM Risse
Pre-K
Politics. The
Kaine administration has tipped its hand: It wants to
make pre-K universal not because middle-class kids need
it but to buy public support for an expansion
of the program. by
Chris Braunlich
Our
Humblest Apologies. While
we're begging forgiveness for slavery, genocide and
other assorted sins of our ancestors, there are a few
other offenses that Virginians should express contrition
for. by
James Atticus Bowden
Grown-Up
Follies. To
Washington Post editorial writers, the "grown
ups" support higher taxes to solve Virginia's
transportation quandary. Funny how the Post is the
one throwing temper tantrums. by
Phil Rodokanakis
Minimum
Wage, Everyone Pays. The
minimum wage hurts small business, costs poor people
jobs, and drives up costs. The winners are those hostile
to competitive capitalism. by
Mike Smith
To
Save the GOP, Curb Sprawl. The
only way Republicans can preserve control of the General
Assembly is to tame sprawl and keep taxes low. The House
plan doesn't measure up. by
Mitchell Smiley
Nice
& Curious Questions.
Skeletons
in the Closet: Bones
of Virginia. by
Edwin S. Clay III and Patricia Bangs
A
Chat
with Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus Group. This
is the first of three Q&As with commercial real
estate visionaries exploring the changing relationship
between workers and the workplace. by
James A. Bacon
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