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Economic Opportunity

March 20, 2018 | Chris Duncombe

Legislators Unite on Efforts to Strengthen Struggling Communities

Virginia’s 2018 regular legislative session has come to a close. While disappointing in some respects – legislators adjourned without having reached agreement on the 2018-2020 budget– it saw the birth of new, promising partnerships across regional and party differences. Legislators representing cities and rural communities found common ground in efforts to strengthen struggling communities and address the challenges of heightened poverty. 
January 17, 2018 | Levi Goren

Hands on the Wheel

Twelve states and the District of Columbia already allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain some form of driver’s card. Expanding access to driver’s licenses for unauthorized immigrants would increase safety and help Virginia’s economy and communities.
January 2, 2018 | Levi Goren

In-State Tuition Is a Common Sense, Low-Cost Investment for Virginia

The availability of in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities for Virginians provides a pathway to better jobs and opportunities that benefits students and the state economy.
September 13, 2017 | The Commonwealth Institute

Building Opportunity: A Toolkit for Virginia’s Future

Download a pdf of the full report Additional Resources for using Toolkit:...
August 3, 2017 | The Commonwealth Institute

Building Opportunity: A Toolkit for Virginia’s Future

We all want to believe that if we meet our obligations and if we work hard at the things we choose to do that we’ll be rewarded with opportunities to get ahead.
August 3, 2017 | The Commonwealth Institute

Immigrants & Economy: Profiles of Virginia Business Owners

Local shops and services that provide for everyday needs are cornerstones of thriving communities, and foreign-born Virginians play an...
April 19, 2017 | Levi Goren

Virginia Immigrants in the Economy

Pillars of Our Prosperity Virginia’s immigrants are diverse, growing in number, and are major contributors to our state’s economy.
February 23, 2017 | The Commonwealth Institute

Session 2017: Key Budget Policy Choices

Key proposed changes to the enacted budget, Ch. 780 click image for pdf...
September 15, 2016 | Levi Goren

Economic Progress; Opportunities to Do Even Better

Most Virginians are doing better than they were a few years ago, according to data released today by the Census Bureau. The median household income rose 2 percent in 2015 to $66,262, after adjusting for inflation. And 44,000 fewer Virginians have incomes that are below the poverty line, which is less than $24,257 for a family of four. The improvement in incomes was slightly slower than those of the United States as a whole, which saw a 4 percent increase in median household incomes and, like Virginia, a 5 percent decline in the poverty rate. Virginia remains the 9th highest income state in the country.
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