State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Income Tax Competitiveness

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 17, 2009

The New York Times covered Gov. Rendell’s proposed 16% increase in the Personal Income Tax. Immediately before citing the Commonwealth Foundation, the article states that “Pennsylvania currently has the…

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Taxes & Economy

Why 16% Tax Increase Would Cost Pennsylvania 24,000 Jobs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 16, 2009

I’ve gotten a couple of question on the “how” and “why” we estimate that Rendell’s personal income tax increase will cost 24,000 Pennsylvania jobs. The estimate of 24,000 jobs…

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Taxes & Economy

Gov. Rendell Proposes Firing 24,000 Pennsylvania Workers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 16, 2009

Governor Rendell announced today that to satisfy his appetite for more spending, he would like to increase Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax (PIT) by 0.5 percentage points – to…

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Health Care

What not to like about ObamaCare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 16, 2009

The Cato Institute has a recent publication out highlighting “Seven Bad Ideas” of President Obama’s health care plan. Here are some more on two of those bad ideas: Paying…

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Public Union Democracy

State Agency Forces Private Sector to Pay Prevailing Wage

  • June 16, 2009

Due to a standing order by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), all public universities are required to pay prevailing wage rates on construction projects funded by…

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Government Accountability

Will Rendell’s Closed-Door Cabinet Meeting Violate Sunshine Law?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2009

Today, Governor Rendell announced an “emergency cabinet meeting” to discuss the state budget, and state the meeting will be closed to the public. But wouldn’t such a closed-door…

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Regulation

Growing Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2009

A coalition of business groups released their proposals aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s economic climate. Among the top of their list were state spending limits, lower business taxes, health care reform,…

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Can We Sell our GM Shares?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2009

Imagine if I told you that my stockbroker told me I should invest in a failing company, and I told him not to.  My stockbroker then invested in the company…

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Education

Salaries for Pennsylvania Teachers and School Employees Online

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2009

Stop Teacher Strikes has posted the 2007-08 salary information (collected by Asbury Park Press) for 195,000 Pennsylvania teachers and school employees, searchable by  name, district, or position…

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