The Half Sheet
September 8, 2021 | Briana Jones
High Capacity, Low Effort: Virginia’s School Funding is Low Compared to Most Rich States
All students, regardless of their background, should have access to a high-quality education that will help them reach their potential.
September 1, 2021 | Parker Watts
Labor Day Reflections on Race, Power, and Organized Labor In Virginia
In the wake of a pandemic, an economic crisis that affected marginalized communities the hardest, and a global uprising that…
August 24, 2021 | Freddy Mejia
Es Hora de Cubrir a Todos Los Niños
Todos los niños deben de tener la oportunidad de un comienzo saludable, y eso incluye tener acceso a una cobertura…
August 18, 2021 | Parker Watts
The New Child Tax Credit Provides Historic Amounts of Support to Families––It Shouldn’t Stop After This Year
At the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic lie equity issues that have troubled Virginia and the nation for generations––lack of…
August 17, 2021 | The Commonwealth Institute
Use of ARPA Funds a Step Forward, More to be Done to Build a Just Future
Everyone in Virginia deserves the opportunity to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Black and brown…
August 6, 2021 | Laura Goren
At A Glance: Moving Pieces In The Budget Bill
Virginia’s House of Delegates and Senate are currently considering the budget amendments that Governor Northam recommended last week. The primary…
July 29, 2021 | The Commonwealth Institute
Summarizing Governor Northam’s Proposed Uses of Flexible Federal Funds
Virginia is receiving $4.3 billion in flexible state fiscal recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Governor Northam has…
July 29, 2021 | Katie Zhang
As a State of Many Languages, Virginia Needs Language Access
Public resources should be easily accessible to everyone who needs it, regardless of the language they speak. According to 2019…
June 29, 2021 | The Commonwealth Institute
New Federal Funds for Virginia: Who’s Getting What
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 that became law on March 11 provides both flexible and targeted funding…
May 18, 2021 | Ashley Kenneth
More Than Recovery: Reflecting on a Stronger Future for the Commonwealth
The COVID-19 pandemic has unearthed inequities with deep roots. Intentional policy decisions made over generations have maintained a society where…
May 10, 2021 | Freddy Mejia
It’s Time to Cover All Kids
Every child should have every opportunity for a healthy start, and that includes having access to comprehensive health coverage. Unfortunately,…
May 3, 2021 | Laura Goren
Taking Stock and Looking Forward: Virginia’s Economy and Policies to Build a Stronger Future
With many schools resuming in-person classes, an acceleration of vaccine rollout, and positive reports about how many jobs are being…