Taxes & Economy
Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has updated their employment data by state through the end of 2011 (subject to revision). Looking at December job data (“not seasonally adjusted”) over…
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Read More: Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999Criminal Justice Reform
Is State Corrections Spending Sustainable?
The chart below shows the unsustainable growth in Pennsylvania state corrections spending and inmate population. The criminal justice system’s goal shouldn’t be to simply lock up as many people…
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Read More: Is State Corrections Spending Sustainable?Welfare
Yes, Welfare is for Poor People
The Department of Public Welfare announced its plan to impose an asset test for food stamp recipients. The proposal would limit food stamps to most households with under $5,500…
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Read More: Yes, Welfare is for Poor PeopleEducation
Happy Digital Learning Day
Today is national Digital Learning Day, during which groups across the country will commemorate how technology is changing education for the better. So what exactly IS digital learning? Digital…
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Read More: Happy Digital Learning DayCriminal Justice Reform
Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & Crime
Change is on the horizon for Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections – now the third-largest state agency in the General Fund budget – which along with state debt, pensions…
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Read More: Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & CrimeRegulation
Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a Cracker
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing a special tax deal to attract a “cracker” plant to the state. The proposed Shell cracker—which breaks down natural gas…
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Read More: Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a CrackerEducation
Not a Joke: Learn from Louisiana
Here in Pennsylvania, we like to think we’re better than states like Louisiana. Those folks used to have slaves, but our founder was a Quaker. They’re poor, but we’re rich. …
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Read More: Not a Joke: Learn from LouisianaTaxes & Economy
The “Facts” on Food Stamps
City Paper contributor Daniel Denvir tries to diminish the impact of our Philadelphia Inquirer column on food stamps by offering “facts” in rebuttal. Unfortunately, most of these “facts”…
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Read More: The “Facts” on Food StampsTaxes & Economy
Debunking Severance Tax Rhetoric
Here’s my letter to the editor in the Public Opinion responding to Matthew Major’s fact-deficient editorial on drilling: Matthew Major’s editorial on corporate welfare and best drilling policies…
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