Economic Opportunity
Senate Proposes Improving Support for Low-Income Families Who Have Seen Decades of Cuts
While many of the House and Senate amendments cut the introduced budget there are some areas where one or both chambers have offered improvements. One is the Senate’s proposal
Let’s Make Sure the Census Counts Every Virginian
Equal representation in Congress, the state legislature, and county board of supervisors. Funding for schools, highways, and healthcare. All this...
No Same-Day Delivery: Virginia Communities Deserve Time to Consider Amazon Deal
Announcements of job projections related to economic development deals can be exciting opportunities for elected officials, but it’s critical that elected leadership, media, and the rest of us take a careful look at the realistic benefits and drawbacks of the deal, including related public subsidies and the tradeoffs that come with adding thousands – or tens of thousands – of jobs.
New Census Income and Poverty Data: Rounding the Corner and Looking Forward to the Future
Incomes rose in Virginia for middle-class households in 2017, with household incomes finally exceeding pre-Great Recession (2007) levels. Compared to 2016, median household income is up 2.8 percent in Virginia to $71,535. Compared to five
Beyond Fiscal Impact Statements: Understanding the Racial Equity Impacts of Public Policy Choices
Some cities and states are seeking to make the expected impact of proposed public policies on different communities more transparent through preparing racial equity impact analyses
The Rural-Urban Divide is Visible in Virginia’s Recovery
Working people in every part of Virginia took a hit during the Great Recession. While the economy is improving overall since then, the benefits of recovery have not been evenly distributed.
Racial Inequity Has Serious Consequences for Black Men
Virginia should be a place where every family can benefit from the economy, find adequate housing, and get a good education. Many Virginians can; however, over 920,000 hardworking Virginians live in poverty, which limits opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
A Fair and Accurate Count: Why the Census Citizenship Question Is A Bad Idea
Every 10 years, the Census Bureau conducts the Decennial Census to obtain a headcount of every individual living in the United States. This provides highly valuable information that is critical to keeping our governments and local communities functioning.
Virginia’s 10-Year Tide Hasn’t Lifted All Boats
2008 was 10 long years ago, but the effects of the Great Recession are fresh enough that the nation’s worst economic downturn since the Great Depression is still an open wound. In light of new jobs and wages data, just how far has Virginia’s economy bounced back to work? And who is it working for?