State Budget

House Majority Leader Moves to Reduce Debt Burden

  • July 23, 2014

On the heels of Pennsylvania’s bond rating downgrade, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai has declared his intention to ease Pennsylvanians’ debt burden. This represents a necessary step towards restoring Pennsylvania’s…

Media

Read More: House Majority Leader Moves to Reduce Debt Burden

Health Care

Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 22, 2014

Back in 2012, many laughed at the idea of challenging Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates by arguing that the law as written allows subsidies for insurance in state exchanges only.

Media

Read More: Court Ruling Guts Obamacare Subsidies in PA

Regulation

Downgrade Detrimental to Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 22, 2014

For the third time in two years, a major bond rating agency gave Pennsylvania a downgrade. The most recent downgrade, courtesy of Moody’s, has real implications for taxpayers. Moody’s…

Media

Read More: Downgrade Detrimental to Taxpayers

Public Union Democracy

Sherlock Investigates: Politics on the Public Dime

  • July 18, 2014

On Tuesday, former House Speakers Bill DeWeese and John Perzel were issued public demerits in the form of gold plaques hung beneath their Capitol portraits. That same day, a…

Media

Read More: Sherlock Investigates: Politics on the Public Dime

Education

Is There a Pension Crisis?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 18, 2014

PolicyBlog readers will be well-familiar with the fact that Pennsyvlania state funding for public schools is at a record high.  So why do government union leaders and some…

Media

Read More: Is There a Pension Crisis?

Education

Will Higher Taxes and Funding Save Students?

  • July 16, 2014

Philadelphia is in the midst of a crisis. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 80 percent of 4th and 8th grade students did not reach proficiency in math and…

Media

Read More: Will Higher Taxes and Funding Save Students?

Education

Hope and Success in Opportunity Scholarship Program

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 15, 2014

James Cromartie is a 7th grader at the School of Church Farm in Exton, Pa. His mom, Lynne, is grateful for the school’s challenging academics, art, music and athletic programs.

Media

Read More: Hope and Success in Opportunity Scholarship Program

Public Union Democracy

Teachers Unions Putting More Dues Money into Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 15, 2014

While union leadership continues to repeat the myth that union dues cannot be used for politics, the latest newsletter from the Pennsylvania State Education Assocation again reveals, in small…

Media

Read More: Teachers Unions Putting More Dues Money into Politics

Regulation

Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest Obstacle

  • July 14, 2014

On Friday, CF President Matt Brouillette joined The David Madeira Show to talk about Pennsylvania’s looming $50 billion public pension crisis and the biggest obstacles to reform: government union leaders.

Media

Read More: Audio: Pension Reform’s Biggest Obstacle