Regulation

The Case for Privatizing State Parks

  • May 18, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced they would have  to close at least 35 state-controlled parks due  under the proposed Senate budget plan. According…

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Taxes & Economy

Higher Taxes in Store for Pennsylvania, Philadelphia?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 18, 2009

The Associated Press has a story on the higher taxes that could be in store for Pennsylvanians. These include both the taxes proposed by Governor Rendell – on…

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State Budget

Video: “Driving” Federal Debt

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 18, 2009

Here is a great video explaining the growth in federal debt in an easy to understand metaphor – i.e. how fast presidents are driving. George W. Bush “drove” faster…

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Taxes & Economy

High Costs of State Regulated Electricity

  • May 15, 2009

Like many states, Montana experimented with restructured electricity markets. However, at the bidding of Public Service Commissioner Ken Toole, the state re-regulated the industry. Now, the Commission is expected to…

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Education

Does Universal Preschool Improve Learning?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 15, 2009

The Heritage Foundation has a new backgrounder asking, “Does Universal Preschool Improve Learning?”   The short answer is NO.  For the long answer, they examine universal preschool programs…

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Government Accountability

Follow Pennsylvania State Government on Twitter

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 14, 2009

Twitter is a good way to keep tabs on what is happening in Harrisburg on the state budget and other policy issues.  For those who are unfamiliar with Twitter,…

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Regulation

Harley Davidson and the Problem with Corporate Welfare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 14, 2009

Harley Davidson’s announcement that they may shut down their plant in York illustrates the problem with taxpayer funded corporate welfare. For starters, Harley Davidson has received $4.3 million…

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Taxes & Economy

PUC Commissioners Oppose Cap and Trade

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 13, 2009

The Vice Chairman and two other Commissioners of the Pennsylvania Utility Commission sent a letter to the PA Congressional Delegation in opposition to proposed cap and trade legislation.  …

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Taxes & Economy

Those Corporate Tax “Loopholes”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 13, 2009

Robert Samuelson has an outstanding piece in the Washington Post, exposing many of the myths exposed by Obama’s plan to crack down on “corporate loopholes”.

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