State Budget

Four Alternatives to the Warehouse Tax

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2017

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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Public Union Democracy

Good News for Forced Union Fee Payers

  • Jessica Barnett
  • September 29, 2017

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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Education

Gov. Wolf’s Indefensible Decisions Continue to Hurt Students

  • September 28, 2017

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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Taxes & Economy

Three Reasons a Severance Tax Is a Bad Idea

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 25, 2017

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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Regulation

PLCB Strikes Again!

  • September 22, 2017

As lawmakers continue to debate balancing the state budget, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) gave Pennsylvanians yet another reason to privatize the antiquated liquor system. The agency unleashed…

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State Budget

“Recurring Revenues” Lead to Recurring Pain

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 21, 2017

The House’s preferred approach to close the state’s $2.2 billion deficit recently came under fire for its reliance on one-time revenue sources rather than recurring revenues, i.e., tax increases. But this…

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Regulation

The Solution to Pa.’s Credit Downgrade

  • Jessica Barnett
  • September 20, 2017

Pennsylvania’s irresponsible spending increases have taken their toll – and credit rating agencies have taken notice. Following a credit downgrade from Standard & Poor’s Wednesday morning, Pennsylvania’s…

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Regulation

We’ll Take Taxpayers’ $17 Million Subsidy & Move to China, Suckers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2017

The Tribune Review reports that another Pennsylvania company is moving to China. A company that built saltwater-based battery systems at the former Sony Corp. plant near New Stanton will move to…

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House Budget Solution Spares Taxpayers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 19, 2017

Tired of hearing about the state budget impasse? There could finally be light at the end of the tunnel and, for taxpayers, it’s not an oncoming train. On Wednesday, the…

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