State Budget

Federal Earmarks Hurt State Economies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 27, 2010

A new study by three Harvard faculty finds that seniority of a state’s congressional delegation does lead to more earmarks and federal aid for the state, it doesn’t improve…

Media

Read More: Federal Earmarks Hurt State Economies

Regulation

PA House Authorizes New Debt for Corporate Welfare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 26, 2010

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House approved legislation – HB 2399 – to allow the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to borrow and additional $50 to $100 million for additional “economic development…

Media

Read More: PA House Authorizes New Debt for Corporate Welfare

Taxes & Economy

Who are the Tea Party Members?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 26, 2010

Much has been said and made of the Tea Party movement over the past year and especially over the last several months, much by those who have no idea what…

Media

Read More: Who are the Tea Party Members?

Education

Monitoring Charter Schools

  • May 25, 2010

Last month, PA Independent highlighted Senate Bill 1156, which would create a committee to monitor Pennsylvania charter schools. This was in response to the mismanagement of a number of…

Media

Read More: Monitoring Charter Schools

Government Accountability

Grand Jury Demands Legislative Reform

  • May 25, 2010

The long-awaited grand jury report written in response to the Bonusgate trials has declared that the grossly inefficient Pennsylvania legislature needs an overhaul. The grand jury wrote, “The current…

Media

Read More: Grand Jury Demands Legislative Reform

Public Union Democracy

Union Boss Honored for Decline in Union Membership

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 25, 2010

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a crucial piece of legislation – a resolution honoring our old “friend” Bill George, outgoing head of the PA AFL-CIO. What…

Media

Read More: Union Boss Honored for Decline in Union Membership

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Budget Presentation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 24, 2010

Below you can find my latest version of a presentation on the Pennsylvania state budget and economic policy. PA Budget and…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Presentation

State Budget

PA House Republicans’ Cost Savings Plan

  • May 24, 2010

In an attempt to balance the state budget without raising taxes, the House Republican Caucus has developed a plan to reduce spending in the Pennsylvania State Budget. One interesting…

Media

Read More: PA House Republicans’ Cost Savings Plan

Taxes & Economy

Another Commercial Produced by PA Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 24, 2010

I caught another TV commercial produced by Pennsylvania state government the other night. This one is intended to scare viewers who are thinking of committing insurance fraud…and make the…

Media

Read More: Another Commercial Produced by PA Government