Budget, Tax and Fiscal Policy Analysis
The Comonwealth Institue is an independent budget watchdog group, monitoring the budgetary and fiscal policies of the state and providing independent analysis. Our reports, analysis and statements are posted here.
A Federal Infusion Helps to Stop the Bleeding: The Inside Story of ARRA Funds in Virginia
released 8/18/2010
Fiscal relief funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) continue to be a key element in helping Virginia balance its budget, according to a new report by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.
>>Click here to read this report...
Recovery Act Helped Hard-Hit Localities in Virginia
released 6/16/2010
A new report by The Commonwealth Institute shows that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has delivered $3 billion in direct aid for Virginia families and breaks out that aid by locality and direct aid program.
>>click here to read more...
A Kick While Down: How the State Budget Increases Taxes on Working Virginia Families
released April 2010
A new report by The Commonwealth Institute shows that buried deep within the budget is a critical change to the state's Earned Income Credit program that will reaise taxes by a total of $6 million on 114,000 working Virginia families starting in 2010.
>>click here to read the full report
When the Other Shoe Drops: Job Losses Coming from State Budget Cuts in Health Care and Education
released 3/23/2010
Virginia stands at an economic crossroads. We can respond to the current economic crisis in ways that protect families and prepare us for a prosperous future. Or we can respond with crucial funding cuts that put a drag on our fragile economic recovery. Unfortunately, this is the path the General Assembly has taken with the state budget.
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A Full Plate: Recovery Act's Food Stamps Increase Boosting Local Economies Across Virginia
released 1/19/2010
Nearly 700,000 Virginians have been able to keep food on the table as a result of the increase in food stamp benefits passed as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last February, according to new data released by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.
>>Click here for the full report
>>Click here for benefit data by locality
Virginia's Hidden Budget Revealed
released 11/7/2009
A host of mostly unknown and unreported tax expenditure programs are draining the state’s revenue by more than $2.5 billion each year, according to new analysis by The Commonwealth Institute. Yet despite their large costs, Virginia does not regularly evaluate or report on them.
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Federal Tax Provision Could Cost Virginia $119 Million in FY09-11
released 2009
An obscure business tax break in the recent federal economic recovery package threatens to cost Virginia and most other states billions of dollars over the next couple of years, according to a report from the Washington, DC-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. But state lawmakers can take simple steps to prevent the loss.
>>Click here for the full report