Commentary

Government Accountability

A Door to Liberation: Why Juneteenth Matters

• Lenny McAllister
• June 19, 2020

Juneteenth is a celebration that makes Independence Day a more fulfilled promise across America. The freedom extolled on July 4th, 1776, was robust, even if it took June 19th, 1865,…

Commentary

Criminal Justice Reform

Pa. Tackles Two New Law Enforcement Reforms

• Jessica Barnett
• June 12, 2020

Pennsylvanians are voicing their concern on policing reform. Encouragingly, lawmakers are listening to constituents and pursuing meaningful, balanced policing reform.

Commentary

Government Accountability

Top 10 PLCB Boondoggles

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 9, 2020

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has survived debacle after debacle. The closures around COVID-19 are just the most recent example of the PLCB's incompetence. Here are the top 10 PLCB…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Pennsylvanians Deserve an Apology

• Nathan Benefield
• June 4, 2020

Gov. Wolf called local officials, job creators, and workers “cowards” and “deserters” for assessing local risks and daring to think for themselves.

Commentary

End Government Liquor

• June 2, 2020

Let's end the government liquor monopoly! Pennsylvania is one of only two states where the government controls the sale of wine and spirits. The other is Utah.   The government…

Commentary

Getting Kids Back on Track

• Colleen Hroncich
• June 2, 2020

Because of coronavirus shut-downs, Pennsylvania children lost months of schooling and parents are struggling with unexpected expenses from at-home learning. Back on Track ESAs can help kids catch up over…

Commentary

Regulation

A Pa Supreme Court Victory for Licensing Relief

• May 26, 2020

After years of litigation, Sally Ladd is finally free to build her rental business without expensive and time-consuming licensing regulations.

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Wolf Does What Lawmakers Want Him to Do, Just Slower

• Nathan Benefield
• May 19, 2020

The reality is this: when Wolf vetoes a bill, he often follows his veto with similar executive action later, taking credit for the changes. This has been true since he…

Commentary

Health Care

Liquor Licensing: Too Hot for PLCB to Handle

• Tirzah Duren
• May 12, 2020

For restaurant owners in Pennsylvania, the new release Too Hot To Handle is more than pure entertainment, the winnings are almost enough for them to purchase an elusive liquor license. …

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Liquor Store Clerk Scores a Win for Free Speech

• Kevin Mooney
• May 8, 2020

Liquor store clerk John Kabler sued for the right to leave his union. In April, the union agreed to refund his dues and honor his resignation. …

Commentary

Education

New Education Polling Results!

• Colleen Hroncich
• May 8, 2020

Learn what likely voters throughout Pennsylvania think about schooling preferences, educational choice, school funding, and more in the Pennsylvania K-12 & School Choice Survey.

Commentary

Education

Happy Birthday, EITC!

• Colleen Hroncich
• May 7, 2020

Today's the anniversary of PA's EITC program. Our new polling shows 71% of Pennsylvanians support tax credit scholarships. And no wonder—they benefits public schools, taxpayers, businesses, and families. …

Commentary

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods

• Nathan Benefield
• May 6, 2020

Wolf should take state lawmakers’ advice and bring transparency and fairness to Pennsylvania’s reopening — along with a sense of urgency. In doing so, he can continue flattening the curve…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Turnpike Blues

• Andrew Abramczyk
• May 6, 2020

A sudden drop in traffic has exposed the toll road's reckless debt load.

Commentary

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Pennsylvania construction shutdown puts the elderly at risk

• Kevin Mooney
• May 5, 2020

Industry leaders who are directly affected by the governor’s orders do not dispute that Wolf has authority to take action aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19. But it’s that…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Memo to America’s Leaders: Your credibility dies in darkness

• Jennifer Stefano
• May 4, 2020

Americans have never put up with “don’t ask questions, just trust me” for long — especially in a crisis.

Commentary

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Lawmakers offer a way out of the coronavirus chaos

• Charles Mitchell
• April 30, 2020

Gov. Wolf's insistence on going it alone and making decisions behind closed doors is crippling his credibility.

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Aid Pays More Than Work, Predictable Results Ensue

• Andrew Abramczyk
• April 29, 2020

This is not how a safety net is supposed to work.

Commentary

Health Care

Telemedicine Bill Could Save Lives, but Special Interests Stand in the Way

• Elizabeth Stelle
• April 23, 2020

Around the country, states are embracing telemedicine as the new norm in primary and continuing care. Pennsylvania is one of just eight states without laws governing telemedicine.

Commentary

Education

Pennsylvania Kids and Schools in Crisis: How to Save Them

• Marc LeBlond
• April 23, 2020

Pennsylvania private schools serve over 200,000 kids, many of them low- to middle-income. If private schools are forced to close, public schools will have enormous new costs as they try to…

Commentary

Health Care

Is it Easier to Be Tiger King Than Buy Booze in Pennsylvania?

• Tirzah Duren
• April 21, 2020

For Pennsylvanians, mixing up their favorite cocktail and following the adventures of an off-the-wall zoo owner named Joe Exotic might be easier said than done. State-run liquor stores shut down…

Commentary