Policy on the #NNK

The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis is talking budget and policy solutions, along with opportunities for advocacy Friday, January 10 at 11:00 am. Learn more and register for the free webinar . Per the announcement, We’ll share our priorities for the 2025 legislative session, lifting up both the policy solutions and advocacy opportunities that will serve as critical tools to build the Virginia of which we dream — one where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, no exceptions. We are proud to be a part of a network of advocates who are working to advance racial and economic justice from a variety of angles, and we look forward to sharing additional opportunities to connect further for the work ahead. When you register, you will have the chance to ask questions and make a statement about the future of Virginia. I told them I was particularly concerned with rural issues.

The IRS has announced mileage rates for 2025; read IRS increases the standard mileage rate for business use in 2025; key rate increases 3 cents to 70 cents per mile for all the deets. The standard mileage rates apply “to the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck.” Further, “the rates apply to fully-electric and hybrid automobiles, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.” Rates starting January 1, 2025 are 70¢/mile for business use 14¢/mile for service to nonprofit (charitable in IRS lingo) organizations 21¢/mile for medical purposes 21¢/mile for moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (aka Richmond Fed, Fifth District of the Federal Reserve) contributes to the strengthening of the Northern Neck and other rural parts of the region made up of Maryland; Washington, DC; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; and most of West Virginia. In addition to its work on monetary policy and financial institution stability, the Richmond Fed provides data, analysis, and coordination in three areas: Small Town and Rural Initiative, Regional Data and Analysis, and Community Development and Engagement. Notable efforts are economic research and the focus on rural. Economic research is designed to inform the public and those who make decisions. Barriers to Rural Investment may state the obvious, but the orderliness and analyis are worth reading, sharing, and saving. Author Jen Giovannitti, president of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and a member of the Richmond Fed’s Rural Investment Collaborative Capital Development Workgroup, o...

Online tool If you are new to Bluesky or are considering joining, here’s a sum up: Bluesky is a decentralized alternative to popular text-based social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) and Threads. Created in 2019 by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter, Bluesky allows you to share images and videos while offering a unique, customizable approach to social media. Unlike other platforms, Bluesky isn't controlled by one central algorithm; instead, it enables users to personalize their experience according to their preferences. ( Source ) If you are not sure how to get started, there are these things called “starter packs.” According to the company, Starter packs in Bluesky are curated collections of folks to follow. These packs are created by the community and are a great way to get started with Bluesky. You can bulk follow the folks in the pack by clicking on the "Follow all" button on the starter pack page. Starter packs are a great...