Regulation

Silliest Defense of Government Pension Plans Yet

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 10, 2010

A letter in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader attacks the Commonwealth Foundation for supporting moving state government and school districts employees to a defined-contribution retirement plan, like a 401(k).  The…

Media

Read More: Silliest Defense of Government Pension Plans Yet

Education

Are Taxpayers Subsidizing Learning or Partying?

  • August 9, 2010

The good news: Penn State is no longer the #1 party school in the US, according to the Princeton Review’s (user account) annual student-produced rankings. It has fallen…

Media

Read More: Are Taxpayers Subsidizing Learning or Partying?

Education

AP Distorts Pennsylvania Education Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 9, 2010

In an article about potential cuts to state appropriations to school districts – which represent cuts to the approved budget, not to last year’s spending, and would be more…

Media

Read More: AP Distorts Pennsylvania Education Spending

State Budget

Which Taxpayer-Funded Video Studio Tells More Lies?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 9, 2010

Yesterday, Bob Caton, spokesman for the Pennsylvania House Democrats, and Steve Miskin, spokesman for the House Republican, engaged in a Twitter argument over which caucus’ TV shows were more…

Media

Read More: Which Taxpayer-Funded Video Studio Tells More Lies?

Taxes & Economy

Quote for the Day on Stimulus Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 6, 2010

Yesterday, I tweeted Dan Mitchell’s blog post, which in turn cited Richard Rahn’s article on the evidence of “stimulus spending” vs. limited government on growing the economy. Mitchell…

Media

Read More: Quote for the Day on Stimulus Spending

Regulation

SEPTA’s Extravagant Spending

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 6, 2010

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony from SEPTA officials defending their lavish spending habits during a state transportation funding crisis. Senator Rafferty expressed concern, saying:…

Media

Read More: SEPTA’s Extravagant Spending

Taxes & Economy

Onorato: Rendell’s Severance Tax is Too High

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 6, 2010

In a Capitolwire interview (subscription), gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato advocated a low natural gas severance tax rate with exemptions. Onorato highlighted three states as good examples of a…

Media

Read More: Onorato: Rendell’s Severance Tax is Too High

Reforming the Highway Trust Fund

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 5, 2010

As Gov. Rendell continues to tour Pennsylvania asking for more money for transportation, perhaps he should ask Congress to reform the federal Highway Trust Fund to ensure our gas tax…

Media

Read More: Reforming the Highway Trust Fund

Education

Rendell’s Made-Up Government Workers Layoffs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 5, 2010

Here is a letter to the editor I recently submitted on Gov. Rendell’s threats of layoffs if Congress doesn’t give him FMAP Money: Gov. Rendell has been busy lobbying…

Media

Read More: Rendell’s Made-Up Government Workers Layoffs