Evidence for public decisions

Before you promise,
verify.

Who has the authority? What do the accounts show? Who has done it before? Civiproof documents your proposal using statutes, public financial reports and other jurisdictions' records.

Explore a research fileChoose a format

Cited sources , Explicit limitations , Political neutrality

CIVIPROOFRESEARCH FILE / 01
LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

A plastic bag tax:
can a Virginia county
introduce one?

01
Authority

State law allows a five-cent tax by ordinance.

Statutory conditions identified
02
Published revenue

Fairfax reports over $6 million for Jan. 2022 : July 2024.

A reference, not a local forecast
03
Comparables

Virginia localities already apply the tax.

Official sources to consult
21 October 2026Read the file ↗
Sources we work withCode of VirginiaVirginia TaxLocal government records
01 / The method

Three questions.
A better-informed decision.

Every file distinguishes what the sources establish from what still needs checking.

01

Who can act?

The relevant authority, the required instrument and the limits in current statutes, including state preemption.

Authority & governing law
02

What do the accounts show?

Published spending or revenue, with the year and scope. Missing figures are identified, never replaced with invented estimates.

Public finances & data limits
03

Who has done it?

Comparable policies, dates, conditions and source references. A precedent informs a decision without guaranteeing the same result.

Precedents & caveats
02 / Read a research file

A plastic bag tax,
examined through the sources.

A public example prepared for no client. Explore the statutory language, available revenue data and questions that remain open.

Read the complete file
AUTHORITY IDENTIFIED

Five cents, with statutory conditions

Virginia law permits counties and cities to adopt the tax, with notice requirements and restricted uses of revenue.

PUBLISHED REVENUE

A reference, not a forecast

Fairfax reported over $6 million from January 2022 to July 2024. The figure cannot predict another county's revenue.

DOCUMENTED PRECEDENTS

Other Virginia localities apply it

The file points to the state's list and the conditions to check before introducing a local measure.

For people preparing
public decisions.

01

Municipal & county associations

Document the authority and precedents relevant to your members.

02

Legislative staff

Check a proposal against current law and comparable policies.

03

Policy research teams

Investigate the evidence before publishing a position.

04

Policy institutes & law firms

Build on dated, sourced documentary research.

03 / Research formats

A clear scope.
A published price.

The same published price applies to every client, regardless of political affiliation.

One focused question

Brief

395 USD

One question, one jurisdiction.

  • Governing rule, quoted
  • Dated official sources
  • Explicit limitations
Choose a brief

Within 2 business days

All three questions

Full file

750 USD

One policy, three angles of inquiry.

  • Authority and required instrument
  • Published finances and comparables
  • Caveats and points for review
Choose a full file

Within 3 business days

Invoiced on order. No discounts or free commissioned files for candidates, parties or officials. This public example was prepared for no client.

04 / Our commitment

The evidence has
the final say.

A file is also valuable for the claims it helps you avoid making too soon.

  1. Independent conclusionsThe file states what the law allows and what the data show, including when the findings challenge the proposal.
  2. Equal treatmentPublished prices, no discounts or in-kind favors. Invoices identify the client.Campaign-related engagements require a separate eligibility review under the rules of the jurisdiction concerned. Published pricing alone does not resolve every campaign-finance requirement.
  3. Verifiable sourcesReferences can be consulted and questioned. Missing information and limits are made explicit.
  4. Client confidentialityA commissioned file belongs to the client. Civiproof does not resell it or show it to another client.
FAQ

Before
you order.

What will I receive?

A brief answering a focused question, or a full file covering authority, published finances and comparables. Sources, limitations and points for review accompany the findings.

Is this legal advice?

No. This is documentary research based on public law and data. A high-stakes decision should be reviewed by the relevant attorney.

What if a figure is unavailable?

The file says so and indicates where to request it. A number from another jurisdiction is not presented as a forecast for yours.

Can the file challenge my proposal?

Yes. Finding a limitation before you make a public commitment is part of the work.

The next step

Which policy
would you like to check?

Describe the jurisdiction, question and timeline. You can review your request before sending it by email.

  1. Describe the policy and jurisdiction.
  2. We clarify the scope and research format.
  3. You confirm the order and delivery date.

Or email directly at
philippe@prestadev.com