Commentary

Regulation

Crisis Management: PA’s Public Pension Problem

• Matthew Brouillette
• February 5, 2015

Crisis management can be broken down into three general phases: identifying the problem, developing the best plan to fix it, and executing that plan while adjusting as needed. It’s a…

Commentary

Education

After 50 years of Union Control, Philly Schools Still Failing

• James Paul
• January 29, 2015

Academic failure, school violence, and financial mismanagement have been the dubious hallmarks of the School District of Philadelphia for decades. In that time, there has been one constant actor fighting…

Commentary

Energy

Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job Growth

• Nathan Benefield
• January 26, 2015

It’s indisputable that where there is Marcellus shale drilling there has been robust economic growth. Over the past six years, Pennsylvania counties with Marcellus shale drilling led the state in…

Commentary

Pop Quiz: “Extremists”

• January 26, 2015

     …

Commentary

Government Accountability

Wolf’s Multi-Million Dollar Conflict of Interest

• Nathan Benefield
• January 13, 2015

Governor-elect Tom Wolf has come out of the gate leading a charge for ethics reform in government. But if accepting a small gift creates a conflict of interest, the gov.-elect…

Commentary

Education

Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting For

• January 8, 2015

As a teacher, a father of kids in public schools, and a taxpayer, I urge all our elected officials to join me in standing up for what’s right. Pass a…

Commentary

Education

Pennsylvanians Deserve True Fairness

• December 11, 2014

Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue success in our state. While Gov.-elect Wolf's intentions echo this noble sentiment, many of his proposals fall far short of his vision.

Commentary

Education

Teachers’ Unions: The Common Roadblock to Reform

• James Paul
• December 9, 2014

From Philadelphia to York to the Pittsburgh suburbs, parents and taxpayers are looking to improve public education without breaking the bank. But there’s a common roadblock standing in their way:…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Why Corbett Missed the National Wave

• Matthew Brouillette
• November 25, 2014

Why did voters strongly reject Gov. Corbett’s re-election bid by double digit margins in favor of Tom Wolf—a candidate promising higher taxes on the “rich” and more spending on public…

Commentary

Education

A Smarter Way to Fund Students

• James Paul
• November 20, 2014

Imagine writing a large check for a new car and finding out a year later that it fails safety tests, won’t pass inspection, and needs thousands in repairs. You’d probably…

Commentary

Energy

Green Jobs Threatened by EPA Regs

• Gordon Tomb
• November 17, 2014

John Oelbracht has managed the Westwood Generation power plant in Schuylkill County for 10 years. It’s more than a job to him—it’s an undertaking to clean up the environment while…

Commentary

Survey: How to Raise Revenue

• November 11, 2014

How to Raise Revenue…

Commentary

Education

Is Second Worst Good Enough for York Students?

• James Paul
• November 10, 2014

The second lowest-performing school district in Pennsylvania is asking for more time to improve but refusing recommended reforms. Unfortunately, more time is not something students and families in York City…

Commentary

The PFT Fails Philly’s Students and Teachers

• Matthew Brouillette
• October 28, 2014

PFT claims to stand up for the teachers and children of Philadelphia, but the facts show otherwise. It's time to prioritize the needs of students over the union's self-interest. …

Commentary

Election 2014: What are the Real Adult Issues?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 27, 2014

Observers of the Pennsylvania governor’s race have been treated to a lot of adult-themed content in recent weeks, distracting from a discussion of the real policy differences between the candidates.

Commentary

Education

Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?

• October 24, 2014

Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…

Commentary

Healthcare Problems Require Personal Solutions

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 17, 2014

Next month, Obamacare enrollment will start anew. Rather than a solution to an ailing healthcare system, this promises mass confusion, higher prices, and more families looking for help. …

Commentary

Scholarships Offer Lifeline to PA Students

• James Paul
• October 14, 2014

Last summer, 5-year-old Kaiden Myers was preparing to enter kindergarten, but his mother, Marpessa, was worried she wouldn't be able to send him to a good, safe school. Read how…

Commentary

State Budget

Immunizing Taxpayers from Chronic Overspending

• Nathan Benefield
• October 7, 2014

Last week, two major bond rating agencies (Fitch and Standards & Poor’s) downgraded Pennsylvania’s debt rating citing poor fiscal health. While this should worry voters—taxpayers will be forced to pay…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

New Tax Would Add to Challenges of Gas Industry

• Gordon Tomb
• October 6, 2014

Armstrong County farmer Randy Walker worries about the effect of a natural gas severance tax on his royalties and the job market. Mr. Walker’s concerns are well founded. The natural gas…

Commentary

Education

Overcoming the Philadelphia School Crisis

• James Paul
• September 16, 2014

Think there's a problem with Philadelphia's schools? You're not alone. More than half of Philadelphia voters said their schools deserved a D or an F grade in a poll released…

Commentary