Regulation

How to Shrink an Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 29, 2008

Penn State Altoona econ professor John McGinnis writes on how Pennsylvania’s “economic development” spending shrinks our economy – first by taxing to pay for this corporate welfare, then by…

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Government Accountability

After returning raise, LaGrotta took it back

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 29, 2008

Another bizarre twist in the payraise debacle was uncovered in the Frank Lagrotta case. Former Rep. LaGrotta was recenlty convicted and sentenced, and more recently face a ruling that…

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State Budget

PA Budget Historical Numbers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 29, 2008

I’ve received a couple of requests for historics Pennsylvania state budget numbers, so I thought I’d post the data here. The figures represent actual final spending from 1970-2007, while…

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Education

Empowering Families

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 28, 2008

Ken Blackwell commentary on the mistakes states are making by continuing to push for taxpayer-funded state-run preschool – to the detriment of educational choice and parental control.

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Taxes & Economy

Daylight Saving Wastes Energy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 28, 2008

A new study show that daylight savings time result in higher energy use, reports the Wall Street Journal, examing the effect of Indiana’s recent move to DST. Daylight Savings…

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Government Accountability

RIP William F. Buckley

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 27, 2008

Roundup of obituaries, blogs, and other comments on conservative icon William F. Buckley Jr., who passed away at 82 today. National Review OnlineWashington Post ObituaryReason…

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Taxes & Economy

Wages Are a Price, Too

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 27, 2008

A good chart of wages vs. inflation on the CARPE DIEM blog, along with a criticism of today’s Wall Street Journal article on inflation (and a humorous transposition…

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Act 1 Indexes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 27, 2008

Allegheny Institute Blog looks at Act 1 “Indexes” for 2008 – the level each school district can increase property taxes without referendum, before exemptions are included. The complete list…

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Taxes & Economy

Bio-Foolish Behavior

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 26, 2008

IBD Editorial on the lack of common sense in pushing for additional bio-fuel mandates and taxpayer subsidy: In 2005, America used 15% of its corn crop to replace…

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