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Education
Fully funded public education must include cyber charters
Originally published at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review When a parent says that a public school isn’t what it used to be, the implication is usually bad. But for Brenda Jesky,…
Read More: Fully funded public education must include cyber charters
Education
Shapiro Failed on School Choice—Again. There’s Hope Despite Him
Read More: Shapiro Failed on School Choice—Again. There’s Hope Despite Him
Education
Education Needs More Choices—Not More Money
Read More: Education Needs More Choices—Not More MoneyPublic Union Democracy
Time to Exit Rendell’s Road to Higher Taxes
Governor Rendell has proposed a series of tax increases to fill a $415 million transportation funding deficit created when the federal government rejected his plan to toll I-80 for a…
Commentary
Read More: Time to Exit Rendell’s Road to Higher TaxesEducation
A School Choice Governor?
Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett recently made headlines by announcing his support for full-fledged school choice in Pennsylvania. Democrat Dan Onorato has also expressed support for school choice, particularly the…
Commentary
Read More: A School Choice Governor?Energy
Gas Fuels Growth
The national economy is in a slump, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and economic growth is being hampered by misguided policies. Meanwhile, Bradford County, Pennsylvania led the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in…
Commentary
Read More: Gas Fuels GrowthState Budget
Can Tom Corbett Keep His “No Tax” Pledge?
Attorney General Tom Corbett has taken significant criticism for his pledge to not raise taxes if elected governor. That was to be expected from his Democrat rival, Allegheny County executive…
Commentary
Read More: Can Tom Corbett Keep His “No Tax” Pledge?Government Accountability
I&R: Our Inalienable Right to Reform
It is clear our government will not reform itself. Article I, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution recognizes the right of the citizens to "alter, reform or abolish their government…
Commentary
Read More: I&R: Our Inalienable Right to ReformRegulation
The Real Problem with the Specter Library
As part of the state budget deal, Gov. Rendell secured $600 million in new borrowing for pork-barrel projects, including $10 million for the "Arlen Specter Library" at Philadelphia University and…
Commentary
Read More: The Real Problem with the Specter LibraryGovernment Accountability
PennFuture: Harrisburg’s Lobbying Launderers
According to its website, PennFuture claims to have secured stronger pollution rules in state agencies; convinced legislators to pass several laws; won $80 million in utility rate cases; and convinced…
Commentary
Read More: PennFuture: Harrisburg’s Lobbying LaunderersEnergy
The Marcellus Shale: A Real Stimulus
The Marcellus Shale formation is believed to be the largest unconventional natural gas reservoir in America, and its exploration has been coined a modern-day gold rush. A Penn State study…
Commentary
Read More: The Marcellus Shale: A Real StimulusEducation
The True Beneficiaries of Education Subsidies
Gov. Rendell's budget once again demands significant increases in public school spending. Ostensibly, these increases are "for the children," but a close examination of education spending and policy proposals reveals…
Commentary
Read More: The True Beneficiaries of Education SubsidiesRegulation
$27 Billion Pension “Reform”: Still Doubling Down on Generational Theft
On June 16, the PA House passed pension "non-reform" by further deferring the scheduled taxpayers' contributions to the state's largest government pension plans - the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS)…
Commentary
Read More: $27 Billion Pension “Reform”: Still Doubling Down on Generational TheftRegulation
Rendell’s $52 Billion Pension “Reform”
Gov. Rendell and the Democrat-controlled House are trying to redefine pension "reform" by further deferring the scheduled taxpayers' contributions to the state's largest government pension plans - the Public School…
Commentary
Read More: Rendell’s $52 Billion Pension “Reform”Regulation
Are Pennsylvania Taxes “Money Well Spent?”
Gov. Rendell proposes balancing the state budget with a combination of new and higher taxes, another federal bailout, and additional state borrowing. When confronted by opposition to additional taxes on…
Commentary
Read More: Are Pennsylvania Taxes “Money Well Spent?”State Budget
Lay Off the Private Sector with Public Sector Layoffs
Gov. Rendell is threatening once again to lay off state government employees if the General Assembly refuses to go along with his spend-more, tax-more budget proposals. But should the public…
Commentary
Read More: Lay Off the Private Sector with Public Sector LayoffsGovernment Accountability
The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA
Everyone loves to hate "special interests." They spend millions of dollars in electing and lobbying public officials in order to gain political or legislative favor. So it was no surprise…
Commentary
Read More: The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PAEnergy
Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs
With Pennsylvania's unemployment rate at a 25-year high, Gov. Rendell is pushing "green jobs" at every turn. He has doled out nearly $1 billion to renewable energy projects and wants…
Commentary
Read More: Green Jobs Destroy Good JobsTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan
A macroeconomic study of Pennsylvania's Climate Action Plan, released earlier this month, promises impressive cost savings and job creation for the state, but the report was produced by a global…
Commentary
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Small Business vs. Big Government
What is the third largest country in the world based on its production of output? It is America's small businesses. Collectively, they produce half of our private Gross Domestic Product…
Commentary
Read More: Small Business vs. Big GovernmentRegulation
Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”
Press-release economics has long been part of a political charade in which lawmakers use other people's money to fund their political gain. In Pennsylvania, agencies such as the Department of…
Commentary
Read More: Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”Taxes & Economy
Transportation Funding Solutions Require Reforms and Reprioritization
Now that the federal government has rejected the ill-conceived plan to toll I-80 for a third, and supposedly final time, Gov. Rendell and the General Assembly must implement serious solutions…
Commentary
Read More: Transportation Funding Solutions Require Reforms and ReprioritizationEducation
Ten Tips to Balance the Budget
Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten…
Commentary
Read More: Ten Tips to Balance the BudgetState Budget
Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs
Pennsylvania's latest budget shortfall is the result of a pattern in which state legislators abandon fiscal prudence in "good years" and face spending cuts or tax hikes in down times.
Commentary
Read More: Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs