Taxes & Economy

Budget deficit was predicted, and ignored.

  • June 2, 2009

This was our blog post from July 04, 2008…yes, Independence Day, but also the day Gov. Ed Rendell signed the 2008-09 budget despite clear evidence that it was unrealistic in…

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Government Accountability

PA Senate Passes Spending Transparency

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 2, 2009

Legislation which we have discussed many times on this blog (see previous posts here and here, and Elizabeth Bryan’s commentary here) to create an online database…

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Budget Deficit Reaches $2.8 Billion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2009

The latest report from the PA Department of Revenue, through the end of May, indicate that Pennsylvania’s General Fund revenue shortfall has now reached $2.8 billion for the fiscal…

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Regulation

Another Bad Pension Proposal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2009

The Post-Gazette has a story of another reform to municipal pension plans. The plan would be to put all new municipal employees into a statewide, defined benefit pension system.

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Government Accountability

Last Chance to Enter Please, No More Taxes! Video Contest

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2009

The deadline for entering our Please, No More Taxes! video contest is midnight tonight (June 1).  There are $4,000 in prizes available for the top 3 entries. Contest rules…

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Taxes & Economy

June 9th Taxpayers’ Protest

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 29, 2009

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe is helping to coordinate a “Taxpayer’s Protest” on June 9 in Harrisburg. All taxpayers are encouraged to come down to the state…

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Government Accountability

Transparency Needed in Pennsylvania Budget Debate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 29, 2009

ABC 27 has a news story and video on proposed legislation that would create an online portal and database of state spending in Pennsylvania. What is most disappointing…

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Regulation

Will Tourism Collapse Without Taxpayer Subsidies?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 29, 2009

Letter sent from the Commonwealth Foundation to Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Tourism Mickey Rowley   Dear Mr. Rowley: I am writing to respond to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office's recent…

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Education

Teachers Union vs. Taxpayers and Students (Draft)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 28, 2009

The Blackhawk Education Association sparked ligation costing taxpayers in the Blackhawk School District over $160,000. The district was paying tutors the rate of substitute teachers, but the union had…

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