Author Archives: Stephen D. Haner

About Stephen D. Haner

Stephen D. Haner is Senior Fellow for State and Local Tax Policy at the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. He may be reached at steve@thomasjeffersoninst.org.

Green New Deal Still Rules in Virginia

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Stephen D. Haner

The elections of a Republican Virginia governor and a new Republican majority in the House of Delegates have not changed Virginia’s status as one of the greenest of Green New Deal states in the country.  Every effort to reverse the … Continue reading →

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Is Fairfax Positioning To Move Against Gas?

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Stephen D. Haner

It was a Richmond City Council resolution back in the fall, expressing a desire to shut down its municipal natural gas utility, that triggered pending (and now struggling) Virginia legislation to prevent localities from prohibiting natural gas.   Less attention has been given … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy, Local Government | 1 Comment

Doubling Standard Deduction is Middle Class Tax Reform

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Stephen D. Haner

The argument now dividing the General Assembly on partisan lines is not whether to cut the state income tax, but for whom. The House of Delegates goes big with a broad tax cut that brings Virginia into line with other … Continue reading →

Posted in Government Reform, State Government, Taxes | 1 Comment

Repeal of VCEA, RGGI, EV Mandates Pass House, Face Hostile Senate

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Stephen D. Haner

Virginia’s House of Delegates Republicans have passed a series of bills retreating from Virginia’s rush toward a fossil-fuel free future, but they were party-line votes and Democrats in the Virginia Senate, who hold a majority on that side, may promptly … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy, Environment, State Government, Taxes, Transportation | Comments Off on Repeal of VCEA, RGGI, EV Mandates Pass House, Face Hostile Senate

House Would Return Surpluses, Senate Ready to Spend More

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Stephen D. Haner

Virginia government is flooded with cash, tax revenues far in excess of what is needed to maintain its current level of services and a fair reserve.  Key votes have now been taken and the House of Delegates is poised to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, State Government, Taxes | Tagged | 1 Comment