PA’s Poor Budget Report Card

  • November 15, 2017

Pennsylvania’s 2017 budget is finally complete, but Pennsylvania’s fiscal house is in disarray. The Volcker Alliance, an organization which seeks to “improve the administration of government at all levels,” recently…

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State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Sin Tax Addiction

  • November 14, 2017

Pennsylvania’s excess of excise—or so-called “sin”—taxes was the subject of a recent story in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The piece focused on the amount working people pay in taxes on…

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Education

Another Step Forward for Kids

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • November 6, 2017

Governor Wolf allowed HB 178, an act amending Pennsylvania’s Public School Code, to become law on Sunday. The bill is a big win for Pennsylvania's families. It includes three…

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Government Accountability

Inconvenient Facts: Debunking Climate Alarmists

  • Gordon Tomb
  • November 2, 2017

Governments should focus on supporting economic prosperity to enable better adaption to climate changes instead of controlling carbon footprints. Consider the contrast in hurricane recoveries between Florida, where an…

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Taxes & Economy

Wolf Tax Reform Hypocrisy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 2, 2017

Gov. Wolf has criticized recent federal tax reform proposals—which would lower most tax rates and simplify the tax code by reducing loopholes—because it would eliminate the state and local…

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State Budget

What’s on the November Ballot: Property Taxes and Judges

  • November 1, 2017

In addition to several statewide judicial races, the upcoming November election includes a ballot measure that could change the way Pennsylvanians pay taxes or make no difference at all. Judicial Races…

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Regulation

Progress and Setbacks in the 2017-18 Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 30, 2017

Pennsylvania’s four-month budget battle is just about over, thanks to an assortment of targeted tax hikes and fee increases along with borrowing and one-time transfers. However, lawmakers and the governor…

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Education

School Reforms Put Families and Students First

  • October 27, 2017

State lawmakers embraced a trio of significant reforms with the passage of HB 178—an act amending Pennsylvania’s Public School Code. The legislation would expand a popular scholarship program, protect…

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Education

ESA Opponents Want to Keep Kids Trapped in Failing Schools

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • October 25, 2017

Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) are waging a fear campaign against education savings accounts (ESAs). Both have complained ESAs “don’t help students learn” and “don't hold…

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