October 4, 2023
The Half Sheet
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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 record…
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 the…
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 our…
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 have…
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 what…
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 people…
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 means…