Blog
Notes on systems, infrastructure, and the overlap between public affairs and technology.
2022
Judicial Review
Argues that Congress should check the Supreme Court's power by requiring a supermajority of seven votes for its decisions.
Apr 17, 2022Refinance Student Debt
Proposes refinancing federal student loans to 30-year terms at 0% interest instead of forgiving the debt outright.
2021
By the Numbers, Election Highlights Issue on Districts
Uses the 2021 Virginia House of Delegates results to argue for multimember districts over single-member ones.
Oct 5, 2021Henrico Bike Lanes Add Spring to Runner's Step
Celebrates new bike lanes in western Henrico County as a win for cyclists, walkers, and runners alike.
Jul 19, 2021Limit Time to Approve Supreme Court Justices
Builds on a proposal for Supreme Court term limits by adding a resolution mechanism to force timely confirmations.
May 23, 2021'Baby Bond' Idea Offers Opportunity for Security
Lays out how a Baby Bond program could give every Virginia child a meaningful financial head start.
Mar 15, 2021Difference Between Money Users, Issuers
Explains the distinction between currency-issuing and currency-using governments and what it means for federal tax policy.
Jan 4, 2021Nation Has Many Tools to Control Economy
Argues automation creates more jobs than it destroys, and offers alternatives to a universal basic income.
2020
Democrats' Message to Voters Missed the Mark
Looks at the mixed results of Dodd-Frank and the Affordable Care Act to explain Democratic underperformance in 2020.
Aug 10, 2020Redistricting Amendment Forged Through Compromise
Defends Virginia's proposed redistricting commission amendment against charges that it favors either party.
Jun 2, 2020Reasonable Reforms Must be Made on Local Level
Offers concrete, locally actionable police reform proposals in the wake of George Floyd's death.
Jan 31, 2020Instead of Seceding, Work to Reform System
Responds to a secession invitation from West Virginia's governor by proposing ranked choice voting and multiparty democracy.
2019
Richmond Can Again Lead On Transit Innovation
Draws on Richmond's streetcar history to argue for a modern, multimodal transit and bike-trail network.
Aug 6, 2019Yes, America Can Afford To Have Nice Things
Pushes back on the idea that the federal budget works like a household budget, using inflation data to make the case.
May 31, 2019Eliminate Income Tax for Low-Wage Earners
Proposes eliminating federal income tax for anyone earning under $50,000 a year as a bold, popular policy agenda.
Mar 4, 2019National Debt a Tool for Wealth Creation
Argues the national debt is better understood as a tool for wealth creation than as a household-style liability.
2018
Reform Campaign Finance to Better Reflect Donations
Uses personal experience donating to a 2018 campaign to argue for small-donor-focused campaign finance reform.
Sep 22, 2018Keep Building Bike Lanes, the Cyclists Will Come
Draws on three years of biking in Northern Virginia to argue Richmond should keep investing in connected bike infrastructure.
Aug 14, 2018Each State Lawmaker Represents Too Many People
Proposes scaling the size of Virginia's General Assembly to population growth using a mathematical formula.
Jul 19, 2018Blue, Urban Areas are Continuing to See Growth
Challenges the claim that liberal policies drive population loss, pointing to growth in New York, California, and Virginia's urban crescent.
2017
Virginia's Voting System is Not Competitive
Uses 2017 election data to show how gerrymandering packs Democratic voters and skews legislative outcomes.
Dec 7, 2017Virginians Deserve a Better Voting Process
Argues the 2017 House of Delegates results show gerrymandering, not a Democratic mandate, and calls for redistricting reform and ranked choice voting.
Jan 11, 2017We Need More Seats in the House
Makes the case that the House of Representatives has stayed capped at 435 seats despite the U.S. population tripling.
