Author Archives: matt ohern

The Coming Education Challenge

Posted on January 7, 2015 by matt ohern

Virginia’s K-12 education community is in for challenging times. The annual Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report examining Standards of Quality (SOQ) education funding demonstrated that state spending on K-12 education rose only 0.2 percent over the past … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off on The Coming Education Challenge

First, Let’s Try Equal Employment Rights

Posted on January 7, 2015 by matt ohern

Body cameras and independent prosecutors for police misconduct, are both good ideas, but not the place to start in addressing our current National policing crisis. We will never succeed in avoiding another Ferguson, Staten Island, or Cleveland, until we all … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy | Comments Off on First, Let’s Try Equal Employment Rights

Certificate of Need: A Bad Idea with Political Staying Power

Posted on January 7, 2015 by matt ohern

Every so often Virginia undergoes a spasm of skepticism regarding the Certificate of Need (CON) law that subjects proposals for hospital expansions and equipment purchases to regulatory approval. The law gives proof to the oft-heard claim that Virginia is “pro business” — state … Continue reading →

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New spending bill may not rein in EPA after all

Posted on January 7, 2015 by matt ohern

The 113th Congress delivered a big Christmas present – or possibly bags of coal – to agriculture when it passed the $1.01 trillion spending bill last month. One present is buried deep in Rules Committee Print 113-59 Text of House … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture | Comments Off on New spending bill may not rein in EPA after all

Reform Health "Need" Regulations

Posted on December 18, 2014 by matt ohern

In recent years the federal government has continued to impose burdensome new regulations on the states, especially in the area of health care. Strict new rules handed down as a result of Obamacare are forcing insurance companies to cancel coverage … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care, Top Story | Comments Off on Reform Health "Need" Regulations