Education

Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists’ Survey Contradicts Real Polls

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2011

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association has released a new “survey” claiming that state residents oppose plans to provide vouchers to students. The PSBA’s funding comes from taxpayers through school…

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Education

Lawmakers Can Save Students in Duquesne

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 5, 2011

Jake Haulk at the Allegheny Institute points out that Duquesne City School District spends almost $20,000 per student every year (state average is about $14,000). But less than…

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Education

Academic Achievement Stagnates

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 4, 2011

Pennsylvania students are not making much academic progress according to 2011 PSSA test results. The Patriot-News reports small gains were not enough to keep some central Pennsylvania school districts…

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Public Union Democracy

Prevailing Wage Reform Bills Pass Committee

  • Priya Brannick
  • October 3, 2011

Six bills to reform Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage law passed the House Labor and Industry Committee today, and will now go to the full House for a vote. The state’s 1961…

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Taxes & Economy

Evaluating Gov Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact Fee

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal in Pittsburgh today. Corbett’s proposal represents a significant improvement from some of the leading tax and fee proposals. Framework…

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Regulation

Poll: Support for Private Liquor Stores, Marcellus Drilling

  • October 3, 2011

The latest Quinnipiac poll shows strong support for liquor store privatization, Marcellus Shale drilling (as well as natural gas tax); and for the first time asks Pennsylvanians if they…

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Regulation

Lessons for Pennsylvania from Jersey Shore

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 29, 2011

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently nixed a tax credit for production of MTV’s Jersey Shore. This is a TV show that apparently doesn’t portray New Jersey in the…

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Welfare

Welfare Funds for Home Bowling Alley

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 29, 2011

What do bowling alleys, chandeliers, and six-person hot tubs have in common? They’ve all been purchased with state welfare funds. Yesterday Tim Costa, executive deputy secretary of the Department of…

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