Government Accountability

Why Every Teacher Should Stop Paying PSEA Dues

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2010

A couple of stories about Pennsylvania’s pension crisis reveal some crazy talk (HT Grassroots PA). First, in an article covering some proposed reforms, Gov. Rendell claims gambling will…

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Taxes & Economy

Hey, PennFuture: Return Your BP Money

  • June 15, 2010

In today’s Washington Times, the husband-and-wife team of David and Amy Ridenour at the National Center for Public Policy Research make the case that nonprofit organizations and…

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Public Union Democracy

Public Sector Unions and Rent-Seeking

  • June 15, 2010

Last week, Nathan Benefield blogged how the average public sector employee earns a 34% higher salary and 66% more in employer benefits than the average private sector employee.

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Taxes & Economy

Economics is Funky

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 14, 2010

In discussing a natural gas severance tax, Patriot News reporter-columnist Laura Vescey makes fun of the fundamental economic principle that companies…

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Taxes & Economy

PA Senators Effectively Support Job-Killing Cap & Trade

  • June 14, 2010

Last week, the United States Senate voted on legislation that would have stopped the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, 53 Senators, including Pennsylvania’s Casey and Specter, voted…

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Government Accountability

Budget Ideas for PA from Other States

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 14, 2010

The April 2010 edition of the Inside ALEC newsletter has a number of ideas Pennsylvania lawmakers should look at to balance the state budget, and for long-term fiscal reform.

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Regulation

Babies Buying Beer?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 11, 2010

Those who profit from Pennsylvania’s current liquor distribution monopoly have an ongoing campaign to stop liquor store privatization. One ad shows a man at a gas pump looking at cases…

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State Budget

Severance Tax Wish List

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 11, 2010

Legislators are justifying the enactment of a natural gas severance tax by claiming the revenue will go towards environmental impacts. In reality, the environment is just one of a host…

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Public Union Democracy

Are Government Workers Underpaid?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 11, 2010

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a new report showing state and local government workers earn far more than their private sector counterparts. The Wall Street Journal…

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