Monthly Archives: March 2013

To Lower the Barriers, Unite!

Posted on March 20, 2013 by matt ohern

In 2010, Virginia joined 25 other  states in authorizing the establishment of full-time Virtual School programs – educational institutions allowing students to “attend” school full-time, but online, from anywhere in the state. Three years later, there are still only two … Continue reading →

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Doubling Down on a Broken Growth Model

Posted on March 20, 2013 by matt ohern

I’ve  just finished an extraordinary little book. “Thoughts on Building Strong Towns,” that has helped crystallize my thinking on the fiscal trap of the “suburban sprawl” model of growth and development. The author, Charles Marohn, is a Minnesota-based civil engineer, … Continue reading →

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Amtrak’s Future in Congress’s Hands

Posted on March 20, 2013 by matt ohern

(This article first ran in the Feb issue of Surface Transportation Innovations, a publication ofthe Reason Foundation. As Virginia contemplates “rapid rail” from Roanoke and Richmond to Washington DC, this article is important.) Five years ago, Congress enacted the Passenger Rail … Continue reading →

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Our Real Manmade Climate Crisis

Posted on March 20, 2013 by matt ohern

In his first address as Secretary of State, John Kerry said we must safeguard “the most sacred trust” we owe to our children and grandchildren: “an environment not ravaged by rising seas, deadly super-storms, devastating droughts, and the other hallmarks … Continue reading →

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Debts and Deficits Do Matter

Posted on March 20, 2013 by matt ohern

In a March 10th New York Times column, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman wrote, “we do not, repeat do not, face any kind of deficit crisis either now or for years to come.” Citing recent projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Krugman … Continue reading →

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