Virginia@: Your June 6th Sunday Summary

Dear Friend of TJI,

In accepting $25,000 from “clean energy” groups for her Lt. Governor’s race, Hala Ayala signed pledges not to accept any funding from Dominion Energy. But the latest campaign finance report shows she accepted $100,000 from Dominion. We know of “bidding wars” over homes in Northern Virginia, but Ms. Ayala has now taken the concept to new heights in politics.

Meanwhile …

1.) Public sector collective bargaining hasn’t existed in Virginia since the ‘70s, and a generation or more of local elected officials are unfamiliar with the process or the tactics of government unions. That’s why the Thomas Jefferson Institute has released a “Toolkit” on collective bargaining for local officials. Written by Visiting Fellow F. Vincent Vernuccio, the report suggests several strategies for avoiding additional taxpayer costs and preserving the freedoms of local employees. One member of the General Assembly has already eagerly downloaded the document – no doubt adding to her knowledge as a leader in the American Federation of Teachers. Don’t let local unions be the only ones to know the strategies: Download your copy by clicking here.

2.) Of course, if the Joe Biden Administration gets its way, the feds will take over much of labor law anyway. The PRO-Act that has passed the House would repeal state Right To Work Laws, eliminate the secret ballot in union elections, give employees’ personal information to union leaders, and install federal law that restores language on “gig” workers (i.e., Uber and Lyft drivers) -- language so radical even California voters blocked it in referendum last year. Terry Durkin, vice president of the Roanoke Chamber, penned an outstanding piece on the issue last week (here). Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to bring it up for a vote if 50 Senate Democrats co-sponsor it. Kudos to Senator Mark Warner for remaining one of three hold-outs in the Senate.

3.) Jefferson Institute Senior Fellow Steve Haner has been equally busy, penning a piece noting how Virginia employers are caught in a COVID Time Warp, thanks to Governor Ralph Northam’s regulations that are out of step with reality (here). Over at Bacon's Rebellion, Hans Bader says many regulations will criminalize small business (here). These regulations make it more expensive to re-hire in a world in which, as Kerry Dougherty suggests, Covid seems to have killed the American work ethic (here).

4.) Instead of creating out of step regulations, government might first focus on the notion that government subcontractors should get paid on time and in full (here).

5.) For the first time in a long time, we have no comment on the Parole Board scandal. Which is not to say there is not legitimate debate over its actions (here and here).

6.) Conclusions of the Executive Summary of the state's report on the Virginia Military Institute can be read by opening just about any newspaper. Jim Bacon, of Bacon's Rebellion, suggests the Executive Summary does not reflect the full report (here).

7.) Much has been made of the Anthony Fauci email data-dump. National Review’s Michael Brendan Dougherty describes “What the Fauci Emails Reveal” here. Dougherty is also author of a longer piece, “The Fall of St. Anthony Fauci” here.

8.) When it comes to the Wuhan lab-leak issue, the Left and the news media (but we repeat ourselves) have been atrocious, not that they will ever admit it. But NR has been on the story for months, defending Senator Tom Cotton’s initial comments on the lab, slamming the World Health Organization for its complicity with China, pushing back against the absurd notion that the lab theory is racist, and calling for a U.S. investigation. They’ve compiled their stories here. Clicking on all those links will probably use up your “free views,” but it is worth it. Or heck, just subscribe.

9.) One hundred years ago, a racist attack razed the “Black Wall Street” in Tulsa called Greenwood. Powerful forces tried to keep the community razed. Against all odds, survivors fought to rebuild. A powerful story (here) from 1776 Unites, whose leadership is building curriculum lessons to counter the 1619 narrative. They’ve collected the counter arguments in a new book, Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers here.

10.) Black accomplishment is a key focus for 1776Unites. Not so for political liberals, argues the Wall Street Journal’s Jason Riley, who writes that liberals prefer racial catharsis (here). Riley is also author of a new book on Thomas Sowell, “The Soul of Black Conservatism” (here and here)

Finally … today marks the 77^th Anniversary of D-Day, and we remember the raw bravery of those who landed on those beaches. As we do the unflinching tank man who stood against tyranny 32 years ago.

Happy Sunday, Everyone.

A good time to wonder: What would you do?

Cordially,