5.3% Increase, with No Tricks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 11, 2007

Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire.com tries to explain all the tricks that are being used to disguise the real agreed-to budget increase of 5.3%: Less than 16…

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Reader questions about budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 10, 2007

Questions from a PolicyBlog Reader: Q: What is this $1.6 billion dollar fund referenced in the Post-Gazette? It appears to be slots money which, I thought,…

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Oh yeah – the budget is higher

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 10, 2007

The agreed-to budget figure Gov. Rendell reported last night was lower. From Pennsylvania Legislative Services: GOVERNOR ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIABy Kimberly CollinsThis afternoon the…

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Lame Duck, or Big Winner?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 10, 2007

Tony Phyrillas celebrates Rendell’s losses in the budget deal – too bad that doesn’t do taxpayers any good. Phyrillas likes the “no new taxes” – but new taxes…

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Economics of Smoking Bans

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 10, 2007

Some more resources on the economic impact of smoking bans, for legislators considering a smoking ban – see also our Policy Point on Smoking Bans: ECONOMIC LOSSES…

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Secondhand Smoke Facts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 10, 2007

Some more resources on the scientific evidence of second hand smoke, for legislators considering a smoking ban – see also our Policy Point on Smoking Bans: Secondhand Smoke…

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Price of Candy is Up!

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 9, 2007

So I went to our office snack tray to buy an afternoon snack and notice that the price had gone up, and there was a note about the price of…

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Budget PR from PHMC

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 9, 2007

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission uses it taxpayer provided resources to blame the PA Senate for trying to “cut” programs from the budget (with an $899 million increase). Which…

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Budget Questions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 9, 2007

Lingering questions/issues about the budget negotiations (with links to Commonwealth Foundation information on these issues): What will be the final percent increase in the General Fund? The Taxpayer Protection…

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