State Budget
Which Taxes Might be Going Up?
Less than one week remains before the state budget deadline, and details are slowly emerging about a $31.5 billion spending plan. This $1.5 billion spending increase would be the largest spending…
Media
Read More: Which Taxes Might be Going Up?Regulation
Sin-sylvania?
According to a new Watchdog.org analysis, Pennsylvania leads in the nation in collections from “sin taxes.” The commonwealth collects more than $2.7 billion annually in taxes on tobacco, alcohol or…
Media
Read More: Sin-sylvania?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Economy is Falling Further Behind
Pennsylvania's economy isn't looking so hot this summer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports: Pennsylvania lost 23,600 jobs in the last two months (nonfarm, payroll jobs). Over the same…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy is Falling Further Behind
Stacked Hybrid Plan Falls Short
Our state's unfunded pension liability climbed 730% in the last ten years; it's at almost $5,000 for every man, woman, and child in the state. How does this affect you? Rick…
Media
Read More: Stacked Hybrid Plan Falls Short
Three Reasons to Avoid Tobacco Taxes
Media reports indicate the state House is formulating a tobacco tax package to raise an estimated $500 million. The proposal reflects Wolf’s original plan to raise cigarette…
Media
Read More: Three Reasons to Avoid Tobacco TaxesState Budget
Tax Hikes Coming Soon?
The latest budget rumors indicate legislative leadership and Gov. Wolf are negotiating a budget that would spend at least $31.5 billion and upwards of $32 billion. To put these spending…
Media
Read More: Tax Hikes Coming Soon?State Budget
Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working People
With little time left until the new fiscal year and fewer than two weeks to avoid another budget impasse, informal budget proposals are floating throughout the state Capitol. One proposal…
Media
Read More: Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working PeopleTaxes & Economy
Energy Mandates a Double Whammy
Alternative energy mandates raise the cost of living and make it harder for people to find work. These are the findings of a new paper on the government's futile efforts…
Media
Read More: Energy Mandates a Double WhammyPublic Union Democracy
PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension Reform
Pennsylvania's pension problem is nothing new. Over the years, lawmakers have tried to salvage the fundamentally broken system instead of creating a system that works. The latest attempt, SB…
Media
Read More: PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension Reform