State Budget

New borrowing in budget deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 1, 2008

While we are still waiting to see many of the details on the budget agreement, here are the numbers on borrowing that have been revealed. The new agreement…

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Government Accountability

The state budget: Secret sham

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 1, 2008

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorializes on the secret nature of the budget negotiations and the wheeling and dealing that occurs behind closed doors.

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Education

Shady Accounting at the Pennsylvania Department of Education

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 1, 2008

Allegheny Institute’s latest policy brief reveals how the Pennsylvania Department of Education classifies federal monies as local tax revenue. “By making it appear that the local revenue…

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EZ Come, EZ Go! at the Turnpike Commission

  • June 30, 2008

The second episode of PIKE TV, EZ Come, EZ Go!, looks at how the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is spending your toll dollars … and its not just…

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Leasing the turnpike is a better way for Pa

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 30, 2008

Former PA Transporation Secretary (and Turnpike Commissioner) Howard Yerusalim on the Turnpike lease in the Philadelphia Inquirer: Already, similar public-private lease arrangements are working in Indiana and the…

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State Budget

Budget Deal Reached

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 30, 2008

While taxpayers and state workers slept, lawmakers shook hands on a budget deal. John Micek has some of the details, as does the Patriot News. General Fund budget:…

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Taxes & Economy

Congressional Guardian of Worker Freedom Rankings

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 28, 2008

Alliance for Worker Freedomhas released an index rating members of Congress by their votes on worker freedom or for the big labor agenda. Here are the House ratings.

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Regulation

Senate passes transporation P3 bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 28, 2008

The Senate yesterday passed a bill allowing for Public Private Partnerships in transportation (bill text). The big Kahuna, the Turnpike lease, is exempted from the legislation, but it…

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PTC Still Stalling on I-80 Tolling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 27, 2008

The Turnpike Commission revealed today they won’t resubmit their proposal to toll I-80 until August.  That means it will take nine months to answer the questions asked by the feds. …

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