Author Archives: Christian Braunlich

About Christian Braunlich

Chris Braunlich is Co-President and CEO of the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, Virginia’s non-partisan public policy foundation. He was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell to the Virginia State Board of Education, where his colleagues elected him president of the Board.

Don’t Politicize Cell Phone-Free Education

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

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 →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Don’t Politicize Cell Phone-Free Education

Bait and Switch: Reform Reverts to Mo’ Money

Posted on March 2, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

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 →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on Bait and Switch: Reform Reverts to Mo’ Money

Virginia’s Tax Code: An Analog System in a Digital World

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

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 →

Posted in Taxes | Comments Off on Virginia’s Tax Code: An Analog System in a Digital World

Don’t Let Partisanship Stop Serious Tax Reform

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Christian Braunlich

The American linguist Yogi Berra once said of a New York City restaurant: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” Overcrowding, however, isn’t what motivates a move to a state (or from a state). Those decisions are inspired by robust economic activity, jobs for … Continue reading →

Posted in State Government, Taxes | Comments Off on Don’t Let Partisanship Stop Serious Tax Reform

Who Paid for the Abortion Ads? Green Energy

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Christian Braunlich

You may think the recent Virginia election was about abortion, but follow the money. The wave of advertising on that issue was largely bankrolled by the renewable energy industry. This election was about energy and delivered to those special interests the legislature … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Environment, State Government | Comments Off on Who Paid for the Abortion Ads? Green Energy