Author Archives: Derrick A. Max

Virginia’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act Deserves a Veto 

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Derrick A. Max

Sitting on Governor Youngkin’s desk is a paid family and medical leave bill that would provide eight weeks of paid leave per year for most employees in the Commonwealth. The program would pay employees 80 percent of their weekly salary up … Continue reading →

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Governor Youngkin uses his veto pen to protect farmers and lower-skilled workers 

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Derrick A. Max

There is a near-universal consensus among economists that increases in the minimum wage harm low-skilled workers the most. Originally designed to mimic racially discriminatory laws elsewhere, the minimum wage continues to be a means of picking certain classes and geographic locations over others. For … Continue reading →

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Governor Youngkin Joins the “No Car Tax” Movement

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Derrick A. Max

During Governor Glenn Youngkin’s budget submission to the General Assembly, he called for the elimination of the single most hated tax in the Commonwealth — the car tax. He is right, the car tax is very unpopular. Back in 1997, Jim … Continue reading →

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The Case for WMATA ‘Bankruptcy’

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Derrick A. Max

Yesterday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) warned that without substantially greater subsidies from DC, Maryland, and Virginia, they would be facing a $750 million annual shortfall that would require draconian cuts in services, including closing 10 stations, cutting 67 bus lines, … Continue reading →

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Tomorrow’s Ballot Question: Will Virginia Become Illinois?

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Derrick A. Max

It was reported this week that billionaire Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker had made substantial campaign contributions totaling $250,000 to four liberal Democrats running for Virginia State Senate and the Democratic Party of Virginia.  These donations, made through Governor Pritzker’s “Think Big America” … Continue reading →

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