Author Archives: Christian Braunlich
At Last, Hollywood Does Reagan Right
It has been 30 years since Ronald Reagan walked off the American political stage; two decades since he was laid to rest in the lengthening shadows of Simi Valley’s “golden hour.” But with the coming August 30 release of the big budget … Continue reading
Time to Give Charter Schools a Chance in Virginia
The Youngkin Administration is trying to jumpstart the creation of independent public charter schools in Virginia, in order to provide students additional high-quality options for their education. This effort is long overdue. But the road to quality choices in Virginia … Continue reading
Don’t Politicize Cell Phone-Free Education
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order for developing policies restricting or eliminating cell phones in schools – a concept garnering widespread support among parents, with 61 percent favoring requiring students to leave their phones in secured locations during the day – … Continue reading
Bait and Switch: Reform Reverts to Mo’ Money
Some years back, I ran into a friend, a Virginia Education Association unit chair, outside the General Assembly building, there to lobby on behalf of a state-wide teacher salary increase. The real problem, I noted, was that across-the-board salary increases … Continue reading
Virginia’s Tax Code: An Analog System in a Digital World
To many, testifying before a government committee conjures visions of the drama surrounding the McCarthy, Watergate, or Zuckerberg hearings. In Virginia, not so much. Faced with processing more than 2,600 bills in 60 days, legislative hearings are often more of a kabuki dance while backstage choreographers figure … Continue reading