In the News
The Recovery Act Worked
Richmond Times Dispatch Op-Ed
by Michael Cassidy, President and CEO of The Commonwealth Institute
It not only could have been worse -- it most assuredly would have....
Feeling flush: Virginia's budget surplus doubles
CNN Money
...In fact, without the $2.5 billion it received in stimulus funds, Virginia would not have been able to beat the odds, according to the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis. "Recovery Act funds helped Virginia avoid deeper cuts in key services like health care, education, and public safety," said Michael Cassidy, president and chief executive of the Richmond, Va.-based think tank.
Despite His Anti-Government Rhetoric, Gov. McDonnell’s Budget Surplus Results From Government Assistance
Think Progress
...According to a Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis report released this week, last year’s Recovery Act provided $2.5 billion in stimulus relief to “maintain crucial services for [Virginia] citizens” and “help close the state’s budget shortfall in 2010-2012.”
Think Tank: VA Budget Numbers Skewed
NBC-29, Charlottesville
The $400 million state revenue surplus that Governor Bob McDonnell is expected to showcase for state lawmakers Thursday morning may be less than it seems. Wednesday, a Richmond-based think tank is saying the numbers are being skewed by federal dollars.
State Surplus Helped by Federal Stimulus
WCVE radio
August 19, 2010
A study issued by the Commonwealth Institute, a Richmond based think tank, says Virginia's budget surplus was boosted significatnly by federal stimulus dollars.
Recovery Act Funds Helped Virginia Balance Its Budget
VB Progressives
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. ...
When Will Bob McDonnell Thank Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy ...
Blue Virginia
Recovery Act funds helped Virginia avoid deeper cuts in key services like health care, education, and public safety ," said Michael Cassidy, President and CEO of The Commonwealth Institute. ...
The Commonwealth Institute in recent local headlines
WRIR
According to a report released this morning by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, the stimulus has “helped almost every household in Virginia.”
Va. deserves stimulus
The News Leader
We are buoyed by a study released by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis that indicates Virginians received $3 billion in direct aid because of provisions in the federal stimulus act ....
Governor's website to track stimulus dollars
Old Dominion Watchdog
...This week the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a Richmond-based think tank, released a report stating that $3 billion had been given to Virginians in direct aid through the stimulus funds. ...
Think tank says stimulus has provided net for hardest hit Virginians
The Washington Post (blog)
The Commonwealth Institute has has released a study showing Virginians received $3 billion in direct aid due to provisions of the federal stimulus act. ...
Stimulus sends billions to Virginia
WHSV
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis released a report Wednesday showing the stimulus has brought $3 billion in direct aid to Virginia. ...
Report: Stimulus brings $3 billion to Va.
Washington Examiner (blog)
... Act has provided more than $3 billion for Virginia, according to a report released Wednesday by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis. ...
Stimulus has meant $3 billion in direct aid for Va.
Richmond Times Dispatch
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis said in a report released yesterday that the federal economic-stimulus plan has pumped the cash into the ...
Stimulus boost to Va. estimated at $3 billion
Richmond Times Dispatch
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a think-tank in Richmond, says in report released this morning that the Obama initiative—underway since ...
Group says stimulus gave Virginians $3 billion
Washington Examiner
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis study, presented Wednesday, says aid from President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act got ...
Group says stimulus gave Virginians $3 billion
WBOC TV 16
In a report to be presented Wednesday morning, the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis said aid from President Barack Obama's program got to those ...
Virginians feeling stimulated by federal funds
NBC Washington
In a report presented Wednesday morning, the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis said aid from Obama's program got to those most in need relatively ...
Study: Virginians got $3B from stimulus
WRIC
In a report to be presented Wednesday morning, the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis said aid from President Barack Obama's program got to those ...
Study: 2-year budget cuts to cost Va. 37000 jobs
The Virginian-Pilot
Sweeping spending cuts in the state budget are expected to cost Virginia 37000 jobs over the next two years, findings in a new study ...
Group predicts budget cuts will cost 37000 jobs
The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
A think tank estimates Virginia's budget plan, adopted just over a week ago by lawmakers, will result in the loss of 37000 jobs in ...
First Look at Money Baked into Virginia Tax Code
WCVE-88.9 FM
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis has released its in depth look at tax expenditures in the Virginia state budget.
A non profit watchdog group is releasing a report this morning on tax expenditures in the Virginia budget that cost plenty (click here to listen)
WCVE-88.9 FM
Virginia Needs a More Balanced Budgeting Approach
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Solving Virginia's budget crisis in ways that ensure future economic growth is not for the faint of heart. It involves difficult choices that might not, at first, seem politically popular.
Democratic candidates vow to create jobs. Details are slim.
The Virginian-Pilot
... fiscal benefits tied to increased education spending, said Michael Cassidy, executive director of the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis. ...
Stimulus package being felt in Va.
Richmond Times Dispatch
"The aid to the state was to forestall cuts that would have worsened the recession," said Michael Cassidy, executive director of the Commonwealth Institute, ...
Stimulus is making an impact in Virginia. (listen to audio)
WCVE-88.9 FM
Nearly 40% of the stimulus will put money directly into the hands of Virginia families, according to a new report by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis.
Paying our overdue obligation to the poor
The Virginian-Pilot
The second report, from the nonprofit Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, outlines specific recommendations for addressing Virginia's meager aid ...
Virginia "stuck in mud' on poverty (listen to audio - 3 min.)
WCVE 88.9 FM/Centra; Va. Public Broadcasting
Governor Tim Kaine will host a Poverty Summit in Richmond today. The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis says Virginia is “stuck in the mud” when it comes to tackling poverty. The Institute points to what it calls “troubling trends” in the Commonwealth’s effort to deal with poverty ...
New Efforts to Reduce Poverty in Virginia
WHSV.com
New efforts are underway in Virginia to reduce poverty. Gov. Tim Kaine announced Thursday the creation of a poverty reduction task force. The announcement came at a summit on poverty and economic opportunity in Richmond. The governor's office says nearly 10 percent of all Virginians live below the federal poverty line. The non-profit Commonwealth Institute released a report this week on what they call Virginia's lagging effort in the fight against poverty. ...
Va Poverty Reduction Taskforce Created
WHSV.com
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Thursday the creation of Virginia’s Poverty Reduction Taskforce, a collection of public and private-sector partners who will make policy recommendations to combat poverty in the Commonwealth. The taskforce, co-chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn B. Tavenner and Richmond attorney Robert Grey, will present its recommendations in the spring of 2010. ... Thursday’s summit brings private and public partners together in the effort to combat poverty in the Commonwealth. Speakers included Dr. Ron Haskins, senior fellow with the Brookings Institution, who discussed national poverty trends, and Michael Cassidy, executive director of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, who provided a snapshot of the situation in Virginia.
Kaine to Create Poverty Reduction Taskforce
WSET.com/ABC 13 (Danville)
New help is on the way for struggling Virginians. On Thursday, Governor Kaine announced the creation of the Poverty Reduction Taskforce, which is a group assigned to alleviating the growing poverty in the state. Danville is looking forward to the help. ... The Commonwealth Institute says that 122,000 to 218,000 more Virginians will be living in poverty by year's end. More people, who will count on help from places like this for those simple things, that keep so many going.
Gov. Kaine forms Virginia poverty reduction task force
The Virginian-Pilot
After focusing on education, transportation and the environment in his first three years, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is also turning his attention to poverty in the remaining months of his administration. ... Michael Cassidy, executive director of the nonprofit Commonwealth Institute, said that amid a worsening economy, Virginia "is stuck in the mud when it comes to tackling poverty in our state."
Study: Virginia needs to do more for the poor
Media General News Service
Madison Messenger/godanriver.com
Even during the good times, Virginia isn’t doing enough to meet the needs of its poorest residents. That’s the message from the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, which released a report yesterday suggesting that more needs to be done to help those who live in poverty.
Study: Va. not ready for spike in poverty
Washington Examiner
Virginia is “stuck in the mud” when it comes to tackling poverty and is ill-prepared to handle a recent spike in unemployment, according to a report ...
Report says Virginia not doing enough for poor
Richmond Times Dispatch
By Holly Prestidge Even during the good times, Virginia isn't doing enough to meet the needs of its poorest residents. That's the message from the ...
Danville's Poverty Rate 3rd Highest in State
WBTM-1330 AM
(RICHMOND) --The city of Danville's poverty rate is 24 percent according to a new study out this morning from The Commonwealth Institute. Study coordinator Sara Okos says nearly half of those are listed in "deep poverty." That means their income is less than half of the federal poverty line. Okos says Danville's rate is the third-highest in Virginia. Institute Executive Director Michael Cassidy says Southside and Southwest Virginia had some of the state's highest poverty rates, along with a few urban areas. They're urging state lawmakers to change their minds and accept $125 million in federal stimulus money to expand jobless benefits in Virginia.
Virginians pay more as health insurance coverage falls (listen)
WCVE 88.9
A study by the Robert Wood Johnson foundation found that while the average family income in Virginia increased less than 20% from 1994 to 2007, health insurance premiums jumped nearly 100%. The nonprofit Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis says the report paints a troubling picture, especially for low income Virginians.
Gov: Expand Unemployment Benefits to Include Part-Timers
Public News Service
Michael Cassidy, executive director of The Commonwealth Institute, says that view is shortsighted. "If you don't have unemployment insurance, ...
Virginia Should Reform Its Unemployment Insurance System
Richmond Times-Dispatch
MICHAEL CASSIDY TIMES-DISPATCH GUEST COLUMNIST
Published: March 30, 2009
Virginia has a great opportunity to help unemployed workers and their families, and boost the state's economy -- and Virginia would get paid millions of dollars to do it. That's an offer the state's poli cymakers shouldn't leave on the table.
State may eliminate sales tax discount
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
The state's Commonwealth Institute says the discount is outdated because costs of collecting and remitting sales tax are negligible in the age of ...
Health Insurance Premiums in Virginia Up 82 Percent
Public News Service
Richmond - The price of health insurance for Virginians has been heading sky-high, exposing what advocates for high-quality, affordable health care call the current crisis in that area. … Reverend C. Douglas Smith, executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, says that the current federal stimulus package will only help in the short term. … (Listen to audio)
More Virginia chilidren live in poverty (audio)
Virginia Public Radio
Nearly 700 thousand Virginians are currently living in poverty. Two organizations are issuing a warning the problem is increasing and can be harmful to the children of the Commonwealth. While official numbers aren't out yet, they're pointing to some troublng indicators. WVTF's Connie Stevens reports. (Listen to Audio)
Helping your neighbor in times like these
Staunton News Leader, VA
The results of the study are not surprising, but they are sobering. The faltering economy will increase the number of poor Virginians by as much as 218000 ...
Recession Hitting VA Poverty Numbers
WMDT, MD
By TERRENCE LEE -- WMDT 2/23/2009 The recession is projected to worsen this year The unemployment rate nationwide is at the highest level in more than 16 …
Poverty Rates on the Rise
WHSV, VA
Poverty in Virginia is on the rise again because more and more people are out of work. Among the hardest hit are Virginia's children as more adults around ...
Public News Service
A study linking current unemployment with future poverty finds a dramatic increase in poverty rates as the recession deepens in Virginia. As unemployment worsens in the state, there will be a significant increase in the number of children living in poverty, according to the study, conducted by The Commonwealth Institute and Voices for Virginia's Children. ... (Listen to audio)
Study warns of rapid rise in poverty rate
Richmond Times Dispatch, VA - 13 hours ago
By Katherine Calos If national unemployment rates reach 9 percent, 159000 to 218000 more Virginians will be pushed into poverty, according to a study ...
Recession will be hardest for children
News Virginian, VA - 7 hours ago
By Jimmy LaRoue Children will be hardest hit by the current economic recession and rising unemployment rates, according to a new study released Tuesday by ...
Homelessness: The Family Portrait
Washington Post, United States
A study to be released tomorrow by the Richmond-based research groups Commonwealth Institute and Voices for Virginia's Children concludes that if the ...