What We Do
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis (TCI) advances racial and economic justice in Virginia by advocating for public policies that are designed in partnership with people most impacted, and shaped by credible, accessible fiscal and policy research.
Why We’re Here
Schools with good teachers, access to high-quality health care, policies that welcome our neighbors, and a fair return on our work – these are just a few of the basics that help communities to thrive.
Public policy has too often been used to erect barriers to the building blocks of thriving communities, particularly for people of color. Yet communities across Virginia have worked to turn public policy into a tool that can improve the lives of everyone in Virginia — no matter what they look like or how much is in their wallet. And this work has made a difference.
TCI is a critical player in this ecosystem of policy advocates that have a shared broad vision for building power with communities of color and people with low incomes. We contribute unique expertise with our fiscal and policy research capabilities, in order to dismantle systems of racism and replace them with new, inclusive systems of justice and opportunity.
How We Work
Our work is organized into three key areas:
Policy Analysis
Our research and analysis is a unique contribution to advocacy in Virginia and highlights root causes of systemic inequality and innovative solutions to advance justice.
Communications
Breaking down complex policy and producing engaging materials helps to make sure more people are able to participate in and drive people-powered policy change.
Legislative Advocacy
Transforming systems requires impactful legislation that considers the lived experiences of people most impacted by policy change, and for decisionmakers to center justice and equity.
What We’ve Done
Together with our partners, TCI has advanced a number of policies that moves Virginia toward racial and economic justice. In just the past few years, that includes:
- Securing access to health care for nearly 675,000 people with low incomes through Medicaid expansion
- Putting Virginia on a path to a $15 an hour minimum wage
- Providing an income boost to families with low incomes by improving Virginia’s Earned Income Tax Credit
- Removing barriers to in-state tuition and access to lawful driving regardless of immigration status
- Reforming criminal justice policies and furthering efforts to decriminalize poverty
- Protecting state funding for K-12 education