Author Archives: matt ohern

SOLs: Getting what was asked for

Posted on April 25, 2014 by matt ohern

A wise boss once told me: “Be careful of what you ask for. You might get it.” In the ongoing discussions over Virginia’s Standards of Learning exams, advocates of SOL reform may want to keep that adage in mind. Those … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Top Story | Comments Off on SOLs: Getting what was asked for

Smart Growth for Custom-Minded Conservatives

Posted on April 25, 2014 by matt ohern

As I have endeavored to develop a conservative vision for Smart Growth, I have relied primarily upon conservative principles with a libertarian slant — limited government, fiscal conservatism, free markets and the like. But there is a vast realm of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Transportation | Comments Off on Smart Growth for Custom-Minded Conservatives

Virginia’s Employment Declines

Posted on April 25, 2014 by matt ohern

Employment in the nation is finally starting to pick up. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 192,000 in March, which is 1.7% higher than a year ago. The Richmond metropolitan area is seeing similar growth. Employment rose 1.5% over the year ending … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Economy | Comments Off on Virginia’s Employment Declines

EPA Re-Defines a Tributary

Posted on April 25, 2014 by matt ohern

EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy, commenting on the new definition of what constitutes a water of the United States says, “To be clear: our proposal does not add to or expand the scope of waters historically protected under the Clean Water … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture | Comments Off on EPA Re-Defines a Tributary

How to Mislead with Transit Data

Posted on April 25, 2014 by matt ohern

Nearly all major newspapers around the country on March 10th proclaimed this news: the use of public transit last year reached its highest level since 1956. The somewhat breathless New York Times story read like a news release from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Comments Off on How to Mislead with Transit Data