Author Archives: matt ohern

Outsourcing WMATA’s Silver Line Phase 2 Could Improve Operations

Posted on May 2, 2018 by matt ohern

In January 2018, D.C. Metro officials issued a formal request for information on outsourcing station operations and track maintenance for Silver Line Phase II, expected to be completed by 2020. The potential to improve operations through a public-private partnership (PPP) … Continue reading →

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Smithfield Loses $50 Million Lawsuit

Posted on May 2, 2018 by matt ohern

Murphy Brown LLC, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods and hog producer, received a verdict last Thursday from a North Carolina jury that it must pay plaintiffs $50 million in damages as a result of a nuisance lawsuit. The jury ruled … Continue reading →

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PJM to Analyze Long-Term Grid Resilience

Posted on May 2, 2018 by matt ohern

PJM Interconnection, operator of the regional transmission grid of which Virginia is a part, says the electric grid handled the 12-day bout of extreme cold weather in January with plenty of margin to spare. But given the evolving energy mix … Continue reading →

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Best College Majors for Fewer College Loan Defaults

Posted on May 2, 2018 by matt ohern

Colleges and universities offering programs that lead to careers in occupations that are relatively high-paying and have low unemployment tend to have lower student loan default rates. Some of the top “low-default occupations” for jobs that typically require an associate’s … Continue reading →

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Richmond’s Proposed Cigarette Tax Increase Will Hurt Business

Posted on April 18, 2018 by matt ohern

On April 23, the Richmond City Council is scheduled to decide whether to approve a massive new cigarette tax. Throughout the debate, tax supporters have undersold both the extreme price jump the proposal represents and the likely and profound harm … Continue reading →

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