Taxes & Economy

The GOP Has a Dumb Mortgage Idea

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2009

In the Wall Street Journal, Ed Glaeser rips the US Senate GOP’s plans to underwrite mortgages and offer an additional tax credit for home-buyers More criticism of this…

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Education

The School District Consolidation Myth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2009

As part of his budget, Governor Rendell proposed creating a commission on consolidating PA school districts (and it turns out, he may intend to do so even if the legislature…

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Education

Economists Against Governor Rendell

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2009

In his budget address, Governor Rendell cited “conservative” economists who support the stimulus package and his spending proposals, even though they don’t. Here is Rendell: Economists from…

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State Budget

PA Budget by the Numbers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2009

The 2009-10 budget is $28.97 billion, rather than the $26.6 billion as is being reported. The difference being that it relies on $2.4 billion in one-time federal “stimulus” money. That…

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State Budget

PA budget address liveblog

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2009

I’ll be live blog-tweeting Governor Rendell’s budget address, beginning at 10:30 today you can follow the action here.

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State Budget

We Can’t Spend Our Way to Prosperity

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2009

John Stossel has an op-ed up on the pork-laden “stimulus” package: President Obama has vowed that no earmarks — special appropriations to benefit particular congressmen — will…

Media

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State Budget

Cronyism Undermines Cargo Airport

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2009

It appears the Hazleton Airport project is now dead in the water, after Rep. Todd Eachus (the local sponsor and now Majority Leader) has dropped his support after…

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Education

PA Budget Proposals: Cut the Fat, Play Poker

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2009

Sen. John Eichelberger unveiled a proposal today to issue a moratorium on “earmarks”, the legislative-controlled WAMs and other items.  The proposal also calls for a review of all…

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