TCI

Gráfico promocional para La Cumbre de Políticas Anual de TCI. Muestra una sala llena de personas escuchando una presentación. El texto dice: ‘La Cumbre de Políticas Anual de TCI. ¡Regístrate hoy! Lunes 10 de noviembre, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Richmond, VA. Visita el siguiente enlace para registrarte: bit.ly/tci-summit25.’ Logotipo de The Commonwealth Institute

El futuro de Virginia está en nuestras manos.

Únete a la #TCISummit2025 el 10 de noviembre en Richmond — un día para conectarnos, aprender y crear soluciones.

🎟️ Regístrate antes del 12 de octubre y ahorra $25 o elige “paga lo que puedas”. bit.ly/tci-summit25

Promotional graphic for TCI’s Annual Policy Summit. Shows a room full of people attending a presentation. Text reads: ‘TCI’s Annual Policy Summit. Register Now! Monday, November 10, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Richmond, VA. Visit the link below to register: bit.ly/tci-summit25.’ Logo of The Commonwealth Institute.

Virginia’s future is in our hands.

Join us for TCI’s Annual Policy Summit on Nov. 10 in Richmond — a day to connect, learn & shape bold solutions for our communities. #TCISummit2025

🎟️ Register by Oct. 12 to save $25 or “pay what you can.” bit.ly/tci-summit25

Virginia’s Federal Jobs Landscape Amid a Potential Federal Shutdown - The Commonwealth Institute With a pending federal shutdown on September 30, 2025, this update provides information on the federal government's role in Virginia’s economy.

With a potential #GovernmentShutdown looming -- midnight on September 30 -- we've updated our brief with information on the role of the federal government in Virginia’s economy.

Get it here ⤵️

Virginia’s Criminal Legal System: 10 Truths We Need to Talk About - The Commonwealth Institute Misinformation often stands in the way of good policy. These key facts about Virginia's criminal legal system can help us to advance justice.

Everyone in Virginia deserves to live in a safe community w/ opportunities to thrive and be treated with fairness & dignity by the criminal legal system.

But misinformation often stands in the way of good policy.

Here's 10 truths we need to talk about💬

Advertisement for a job opening at TCI for Communications & Engagement Associate. Features a megaphone graphic with 'We're Hiring' text and a background image of a someone speaking to a camera. Visit our website to apply bit.ly/tci-careers

You could play a critical role in centering impacted communities in our work and making the work more accessible to a wide variety of audiences.

Get the details: bit.ly/tci-careers

Promotional poster for TCI Collective Power's annual fundraiser, featuring guest speaker Del. Kathy Tran and blues musician Mojo Parker. Event details: September 25, 5:30 PM - 8 PM, at Black Olive, 13 Broad St., Richmond, VA. More information and tickets can be found at bit.ly/tci-resilience

Today's the last day to sign up for Collective Power!

Get your tickets: bit.ly/tci-resilience

It's the night out you've been looking for: Good food, craft cocktails, the insights of Del. @kathykltran.bsky.social and more, all to the backdrop of live Blues courtesy of Mojo Parker.

From Progress to Peril: The Rise in Virginia's Uninsured Rate and the Policy Path Forward - The Commonwealth Institute After making critical progress to increase health coverage, Virginia's uninsured rate rose significantly in 2024. Here's what we can do.

After years of progress, recent #CensusData shows a rise in the number of people in #Virginia without health coverage in 2024.

Federal choices will only make this worse.

Details and what #VaLeg can do ⤵️

Promotional poster for "Federal Threats and Disruption in the DMV," a virtual conversation hosted by the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. The poster features an image of the U.S. Capitol Building with event details for September 18, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM ET.

Join TCI, @dcfpi.bsky.social, @mdeconomy.bsky.social, and Immigration Research Initiative to discuss the wide-ranging harm of mass deportation.

We’ll highlight how these policies harm families, threaten our economy & disrupt communities in the DMV.

Register now: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Fortunately, #VaLeg has options to connect people to #HealthCare, such as critical investmensts to reduce barriers to #Medicaid enrollment and creating state based #ACA targeted subsidies.

Due to provisions in H.R. 1 (i.e. Trump's budget bill) and the upcoming expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits, a further 349,000 people In Virginia are expected to be kicked off or priced out of coverage in the coming years.

Thursday's ACS #CensusData shows that Virginia's uninsured rate jumped from 6.4% to 6.9% in the past year, meaning 50,000 more people were without health coverage.

Impacts of Recent Federal Bill (OBBB) on Virginia’s Budget - The Commonwealth Institute By understanding the federal impact on Virginia's budget, we will be better equipped to respond to challenges posed by recent Medicaid and SNAP choices.

The recent federal bill will be damaging to the people of Virginia and also to our state’s capacity to help families meet their basic needs.

More details on the growing cost for the #VaBudget. ⤵️

As we approach #LaborDay, we have a new report on why #VAleg should expand collective bargaining rights to improve public services we all rely on, from our classrooms to our health departments. You can see the full report here: https://bit.ly/VA_CB

Flyer for the Virginia Justice Conference. Header text: “Virginia Justice Conference.” Description reads: “The inaugural conference, resource fair, expungement clinic, and awards & sneaker ball are to bring the Virginia justice community together to learn, teach, and strategize for the upcoming year, and celebrate together.” Event dates: “September 11th, 12th, & 20th.” Day of Learning: September 11, 2025 – Panels, Resource Fair, Learning Sessions, Voices from the Inside Day of Action: September 12, 2025 – Panels, Resource Fair, Strategy Sessions, Free Expungement Clinic Day of Celebration: September 20, 2025 – Justice Conference Awards, Sneaker Ball, Fundraiser, Fellowship Includes QR code and logo for Nolef Turns. Background is teal and blue gradient with black paint accents.

Flyer promoting the 2025 Virginia Justice Awards & Sneaker Ball. Text reads: “Sept 20, 7 PM to 11 PM, Black Olive Pizzeria, 13 W. Broad St, Richmond, VA. Cash Bar · DJ Lonnie B. Early bird ticket prices available.” Features large graphic of white Air Jordan sneakers on the right. Includes Nolef Turns logo, QR code, and Virginia Justice Conference branding.

Headshot of Amy Wentz with long straight hair, smiling against a white background. The text reads: “2025 Virginia Justice Conference, September 11–12, 2025. Speaker Amy Wentz. Join me at the 2025 Virginia Justice Conference in Richmond, VA. www.virginiajusticeconference.com.” Design includes teal and blue color blocks.

Headshot of Kami Blatt with long blonde hair, smiling against a white background. The text reads: “2025 Virginia Justice Conference, September 11–12, 2025. Speaker Kami Blatt. Join me at the 2025 Virginia Justice Conference in Richmond, VA. www.virginiajusticeconference.com.” Design uses teal and blue color blocks.

Tickets are live! Join us at the Virginia Justice Conference Sept 11–12 in Richmond + Awards & Sneaker Ball Sept 20!
✅ Panels, strategy sessions
✅ Resource fair & expungement clinic
✅ Community & advocacy
Hear from @TCI staff Amy Wentz & Kami Blatt!
https://bit.ly/VAJC25
#VALeg #VAJusticeConference

Massachusetts’ Millionaires Tax Continues to Dramatically Overperform — Fair Share America

By making sure the wealthy pay their #FairShare, Massachusetts put more resources into schools, public transit, free community college tuition, and MBTA fares.

Imagine what #Virginia could accomplish with bold and fair tax choices.

🔗via @fairshareamerica.bsky.social

Virginians with Marketplace plans could see premiums rise next year During the pandemic, Congress approved the plan that helped many people afford health insurance – enhanced tax credits that were later extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, those enhanced tax ...

Federal lawmakers failed to extend enhanced premium tax credits on the #ACA marketplace in the bill they rushed through last month.

Congress still has a chance to act to keep #HealthCare costs from this significant rise.

Do income tax rates cause people to move out of state? Youngkin says yes, new study says no. The report found that, in 2023, people left Virginia for states with both higher and lower income tax rates. Of the top 10 states people left Virginia for that year, five had lower rates, four had …

Migration data doesn't tell us much more than if people are moving, who's moving & where they're moving to.

But it doesn't tell us why.

What we do know: Rejecting tax proposals that favor the wealthy helps us invest in our communities.

🔗via @cardinalnews.org

Access to support staff helped DJ graduate high school and think about his future in new ways.

Now, thanks to advocates' hard work, increased support staff funding means even more students will be able to reach their potential.

#FundOurSchools
🔗via @wric.com

Taxes Rarely Impact Where We Move, But They Can Improve Where We Already Live - The Commonwealth Institute Virginia migration data doesn't explain why people move. But we do know that state lawmakers can invest in our communities to help every family thrive.

📢New report📢

Some politicians spread faulty narratives about how taxes impact where we move to push tax proposals that further favor the wealthy.

But there's little evidence that taxes impact our relocation choices.

Instead, #VaLeg should make bold choices to raise resources & invest in all of us

A photo of people at a rally holding up pro-public school funding signs above text that reads "School Funding Town Hall: Join us for a virtual town hall meeting to learn more about the fight for fully and fairly funded public schools in Virginia and how to get engaged. Virtual: Tuesday, 8/12, 7pm. Zoom: RSVP at bit.ly/FOSVirtual"

Join @fundourschoolsva.bsky.social for a virtual town hall on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 7pm to learn more about state and federal school funding policy.

Plus, share your perspective on public school funding issues! RSVP here to receive the Zoom link: bit.ly/FOSVirtual

#FundOurSchools

Promotional poster for the Stop The Billionaire Giveaway Bus Tour. Event details include date: Sunday, August 3rd at 2:00 PM, location: Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Dr, Virginia Beach, VA, with an RSVP QR code. Sponsored by Unrig Our Economy and Fair Share America.

We're proud to join @fairshareamerica.bsky.social on their national bus tour to spread the word about the harm that the OBBB will have on #Virginia families.

We hope to see you this Sunday!

Register here: actionnetwork.org/events/the-s...

Which States Expanded Refundable Credits in 2025? Refundable tax credits were a big part of state tax policy conversations this year. In 2025, nine states improved or created Child Tax Credits or Earned Income Tax Credits.

Good public policy helps make sure every family has the resources to thrive.

Thanks to the work of advocates & policy champions, #Virginia gets a shout out for improving our #EITC in the 2025 #VaLeg session.

Smart choices help build a stronger Virginia.

Tens of thousands of Virginians could lose health insurance if tax credits expire, officials warn Language to renew health care insurance premium tax credits was not included in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill that was passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in early July. …

Enhanced tax credits have made health insurance significantly more accessible for people with moderate incomes through the #ACA marketplace.

Congress still has a chance to continue the improved credits so people can maintain access to affordable care

'People-Powered' Policy' and Other Ways to Center Community in Philanthropy | Fund for Shared Insight Ashley Kenneth of The Commonwealth Institute (TCI), a policy organization in Virginia, talks about how TCI deepened its commitment to racial equity and changed its practices to give the people and com...

“Listening isn’t just a step on the path to change. It is the work.”

TCI's president and CEO @ashckenneth.bsky.social recently spoke with Fund for Shared Insight about how centering impacted people makes policy work more relevant & powerful and how funders can show up to really listen. Read more ⤵️

NEW: The CBO has released its latest estimate on the recently enacted Republican reconciliation bill.

About 15M people lose health coverage and become uninsured under the Republican #Medicaid & #ACA marketplace agenda.

Policymakers should protect people's health care, not cut it.

Delayed Title III Funds Leave Districts' English-Learner Expenses in Limbo The $890 million Title III program is among the billions the Trump administration is currently withholding from schools.

“I cannot proceed w/ hiring or renewing a contract without knowing when I’m going to have the funds,” said the #EnglishLearners supervisor for Roanoke City district

TCI has signed onto a letter to demand funds be restored so that every student has the resources they need to thrive.

Virginia Impact Report: How the Congressional Reconciliation Bill will Impact Our Communities - The Commonwealth Institute We all want to live in a place where people have enough to eat and can access medical care when they are sick. When people are paid too little to afford healthy food and their jobs don’t offer health ...

New summary of key impacts from the reconciliation bill. ⤵️

For #Virginia families who need help accessing health coverage and healthy food, the changes are alarming.

But it’s important to remember that most changes won’t take effect right away.

TCI Statement on Signing of Reconciliation Bill That Threatens to Take Away Food and Health Care from Hundreds of Thousands of Virginians - The Commonwealth Institute Freddy Mejia, Policy Director of The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, today issued the following statement condemning the signing of the Congressional reconciliation bill that threatens to ...

There's no way #VaLeg or advocates can fully fix what Congress has broken, but there's vital work ahead.

We look forward to working with community leaders, legislators, and other advocates to meet the basic needs of #Virginia families & build a better future.

Text says We're Taking a Break. TCI is closed for Collective Rest. We return on Monday, July 7. Pictures in the background show images of a dog with sunglasses, a hiker relaxing on a hammock , a cup of coffee, and someone kayaking.

Text says "Why Collective Rest? Our team’s well-being is a top priority. By taking collective time off, our team can rest in a way that is meaningful to them with as few distractions as possible. Rest also provides space for healing, imagination, and invention so that we can come back stronger to the work of advancing racial and economic justice. #RestIsResistance." Images in the background show a dog with sunglasses, a hiker relaxing on a hammock , a cup of coffee, and someone kayaking.

Have you taken time for yourself lately?

Twice a year, Team TCI takes a collective break to rest and recharge. We’ll be out of the office for a week and return on Monday, July 7.

#RestIsResistance

Image featuring the Statue of Liberty. Overlay text says "Forcibly removing community members en masse rips the fabric of our communities, erodes trust in law enforcement, and is costly for all of us." “The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Mass Deportation: What’s at Risk in Virginia” New report: bit.ly/at-risk-virginia Logos of the Immigration Research Institute and The Commonwealth Institute are in the bottom right corner

Immigrants, with & w/out documentation, play vital roles in our communities & economy

Our new report (bit.ly/at-risk-virginia) highlights the harm that removing community members en masse can have on our economy & key Virginia industries

Thanks to Immigration Research Initiative for collaborating!