Education
What to Make of the PSSA Results
Newly released Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) scores show little to no change in academic achievement across the commonwealth. What do these scores mean? The PSSAs posted on…
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Read More: What to Make of the PSSA ResultsRegulation
Gov. Wolf Proposes Using Debt-Ridden Agency to Pay Down Debt
In a press conference yesterday, Gov. Wolf announced a plan to borrow from future PLCB “profits” to pay off last year’s budget deficit. Under the governor’s plan, the state’s…
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Read More: Gov. Wolf Proposes Using Debt-Ridden Agency to Pay Down DebtEducation
Wolf Administration’s Disregard for the Law is Hurting Pennsylvanians
Gov. Wolf's refusal to release approval letters for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs is causing needless pain for families, students, schools, and…
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Read More: Wolf Administration’s Disregard for the Law is Hurting PennsylvaniansRegulation
An Inhospitable Tax Increase
Another day, another tax. The newest plan to fill a $2.2 billion budget hole includes a 5 percent increase to the hotel tax, along with a new tax on fireworks and third-party online…
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Read More: An Inhospitable Tax IncreaseRegulation
Devil in the Details of PLCB Finances
It was another banner year for the government liquor monopoly—or so the PLCB claims. The agency recently released its finances, touting all-time high sales and a record $720.6 million…
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Read More: Devil in the Details of PLCB FinancesState Budget
Four Alternatives to the Warehouse Tax
The latest tax proposal to balance the $2.2 billion budget shortfall is receiving a cool reception. The tax hike under consideration would extend the sales tax to commercial warehouses. The…
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Read More: Four Alternatives to the Warehouse TaxPublic Union Democracy
Good News for Forced Union Fee Payers
For public employees forced to subsidize union politics—or lose their jobs—a U.S. Supreme Court announcement yesterday signals a potential end to this workplace coercion. The Court indicated it will…
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Read More: Good News for Forced Union Fee PayersEducation
Gov. Wolf’s Indefensible Decisions Continue to Hurt Students
Pennsylvania’s successful scholarship programs—the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)—are in danger once again. The Wolf Administration has delayed the programs’ approval letters, which…
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Read More: Gov. Wolf’s Indefensible Decisions Continue to Hurt StudentsTaxes & Economy
Three Reasons a Severance Tax Is a Bad Idea
The hunt for money to satisfy Harrisburg's overspending problem is in full gear. Lawmakers and special interests want to impose an additional tax on gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale, the…
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Read More: Three Reasons a Severance Tax Is a Bad Idea