March 26, 2026
The Half Sheet
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…
Virginia Poised to Become A National Leader On Expungement Reform
Lawmakers have arrived at a proposed compromise on legislation that would expand Virginia’s restrictive expungement law by including new criminal…
Compromise House Conformity Bill Takes Fiscally Responsible Approach on Business Tax Deductions
Economic hardship has sharply increased at the highest rate in over 50 years. In Virginia, families and communities across…
For Today and Tomorrow: Increasing Health Coverage for Undocumented Virginians
COVID-19 has reminded us that our health and well-being are highly intertwined with that of our neighbors, and that…
Virginia Needs an Updated Budget to Address Economic and Health Challenges
A lot has changed since April when legislators approved a state budget amid significant uncertainty. After six months, we…
Enrollment Losses Could Have Big Impacts on Schools Unless Lawmakers Take Action Now
Among the many uncertainties that schools faced going into this school year was how many students would enroll and…
This Recession is Different: Hardship among Asian American Communities and the Need for State Policy Solutions
The economy shows some signs of recovering from the worst of the pandemic-driven recession, yet the share of working…
New Census Income and Poverty Data Shows High Levels of Inequality Even Before Pandemic, Leaving Many At Risk for Hunger and Insecurity
High housing costs and income inequality meant even before the pandemic many families in Virginia did not have the…
Virginia is For Second Chances: Landmark Expungement Reform Moves Forward
Virginia is on the cusp of passing landmark expungement reform, which could help extend a second chance to those…
After Saving Big on Medicaid, It’s Time for Lawmakers to Reinvest
Quality health care is essential to our well-being at any time and, in the midst of a pandemic, Virginia…
Virginia Families Are Facing Hunger and Instability Due to the Pandemic: Legislators Should Use Available Federal Funds and Reserves to Help
Too many Virginia families and small businesses are struggling to stay afloat and pay their rent or mortgage in…
Gov. Proposal Takes Out Almost Three Quarters of A Billion Dollars ($722 M) for PreK-12, Leaves Rainy Day Funds Untouched
Last week, Gov. Northam announced his amendments to the state’s two-year budget that began on July 1. The proposal…