Bacons Rebellion

Paradigm shifts are tough in government. This helps to explain some of the myths and confusion on the subject of privatizing Virginia’s ABC monopoly, and it helps shed light on why some policymakers—in a fiscally conservative state like Virginia, no less—seem reluctant to consider abandoning the state’s long-standing, socialized monopoly on the distribution and sale [...]

Public safety is one of the primary responsibilities of government; however, if the legislature doesn’t adopt reforms, corrections costs will devour ever larger portions of the budget. The challenge is finding economies in the justice system while keeping the public safe, something conservative legislators in other states have been able to accomplish.

Virginia needs to plan and implement now to provide adequate and reliable electrical energy well into the twenty first century. For economic growth to continue Virginia needs to expand energy production.

The current recession is not likely to end quickly. A total “remake” of state and local government is required in face of this new reality. Government simply must cut back, evaluate its true core functions and take action to restrict the growth of government in the future.

The whole concept of eradicating government waste is blared about for its own sake which, though understandable, has not borne fruit since its invention millennia ago. Our Governor candidates should instead remake the rules governing public spending; create real workplace incentives for public employees to be more aggressive and proactive about their work.

Virginia’s ongoing budget woes highlight systemic failure in the state’s fiscal management that is in need of repair. We can start by moving to an outcome-based budgeting system, a more accurate method for forecasting revenues and rejuvenate our privatization efforts.

In order to implement and measure the effectiveness of the programs proposed by President Obama and Governor Kaine we need a better understanding of our land. The US and Virginia both need better maps.

VDOT wants to save money by closing rest stops. Why don’t we lease them out to private companies instead? We could save money and provide better service to Virginia motorists all at the same time.

Arizona bill offers a blueprint for restructuring the Commonwealth Competition Council, right-sizing state government. A similar system already in-place in Florida saved taxpayers $29 million dollars last year, nothing to sneeze at in these tight times.

Has the time come where conservatives need to cast the same wary eye at our prison budget that they do at every other item in the state budget?