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Fairness
A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible
Originally published by Penn Live. We hate to say, “We told you so.” But when it comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) demanding another state bailout, we told…
Read More: A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible
Prosperity
How To Make Pennsylvania Manufacturing Boom
Read More: How To Make Pennsylvania Manufacturing Boom
Shapiro ‘Price Cap’ Could Hike Electricity Bills
Read More: Shapiro ‘Price Cap’ Could Hike Electricity Bills
Prosperity
Bring Domestic Steel Manufacturing Into America’s Golden Age
Read More: Bring Domestic Steel Manufacturing Into America’s Golden AgeEducation
A New Teacher Evaluation System for Pennsylvania
After numerous meetings and conversations with constituents, teachers, school administrators and education policy experts, I have come to the conclusion that we must have a comprehensive way to identify quality…
Commentary
Read More: A New Teacher Evaluation System for PennsylvaniaEducation
WIFM: What’s In It for Me?
"What's in it for me?" Legislators will ask that question from time to time when they don't see the direct political benefit in voting for something controversial. Recently, as Gov.
Commentary
Read More: WIFM: What’s In It for Me?Education
Parents to Pa. House: We Need School Choice!
Listen to the lives and pleas of three parents with children trapped in failure factories, who tell House members why school choice is their only way out, their only hope.
Commentary
Read More: Parents to Pa. House: We Need School Choice!Government Accountability
Government Unions Steal Worker Freedom
Pennsylvania is one of 28 states in which workers can be compelled to give part of their paycheck to a union just to keep their job. Moreover, even non-membership is…
Commentary
Read More: Government Unions Steal Worker FreedomEducation
Rep.: Pa. Ed Needs 1st Class Not Third-World Results
One of the most controversial and emotional issues facing our Commonwealth involves the future of the education system. The media's attempt to reduce nearly every major complicated issue…
Commentary
Read More: Rep.: Pa. Ed Needs 1st Class Not Third-World ResultsEducation
Willie and Penny Can’t Read
We'll call them Willie, Penny, Ben and Frankie, four public school students from Philadelphia, Reading, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, respectively. If they don't drop out of school and become clients of…
Commentary
Read More: Willie and Penny Can’t ReadTaxes & Economy
Principles Must Lead Shale Fee Proposal
Before sound could travel from Gov. Corbett's lips to Pennsylvanians' ears, special interest groups and tax-and-spend politicians unwisely laid waste his plan to protect job growth and stave off family…
Commentary
Read More: Principles Must Lead Shale Fee ProposalEducation
Pennsylvania’s Public Universities Have Indigestion
If you ask them, they'll say they're hurting because budget-slashing Gov. Tom Corbett just forced something nasty down their throats—namely cuts to the subsidies they receive from Keystone State taxpayers. …
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Public Universities Have IndigestionRegulation
Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes
Facing immense fiscal and political pressures, many local governments are looking for ways to fund services without raising taxes. But officials need not curb their enthusiasm for fiscal responsibility if…
Commentary
Read More: Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax HikesRegulation
The State of Inconvenience
Walk into any supermarket in Ohio and you can see shoppers purchasing everything they need for dinner - including the wine to go with it. In West Virginia, residents can…
Commentary
Read More: The State of InconvenienceRegulation
Preserving Penn’s Woods Proven by Public-Private Partnerships
Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Corbett suggested the commonwealth consider leasing state park operations and services. Almost immediately and without thoughtful consideration, pundits launched political fire, claiming "privateers" would exploit…
Commentary
Read More: Preserving Penn’s Woods Proven by Public-Private PartnershipsEducation
Green Light More Education Tax Credits
Would you ever give a green light or a hard-earned nickel to a business model that showed it was going to hire more staff to service fewer customers by doubling…
Commentary
Read More: Green Light More Education Tax CreditsEnergy
Taxing Gas will Burden Pennsylvanians
Despite the manufactured fears of disaster and cheers for a unique tax on drilling, Pennsylvania can balance economic growth with environmental protection without imposing a new tax. The true impacts…
Commentary
Read More: Taxing Gas will Burden PennsylvaniansGovernment Accountability
Government Transparency in Pennsylvania Becomes a Reality
The last few months saw immense partisan animosity and demeaning comments during numerous spats under the Capitol Dome. But amid the fiscal fist fights over school choice, a natural gas…
Commentary
Read More: Government Transparency in Pennsylvania Becomes a RealityEducation
Corbett’s First Inning Scorecard
July signals the coming of two breaks in Pennsylvania—Major League Baseball's All-Star break and the end of the state budget season. Having endured his first budget as the commonwealth's chief…
Commentary
Read More: Corbett’s First Inning ScorecardEducation
The Razor’s Edge of School Choice
When Vicky Miller and her daughter Emalie moved to Harrisburg because of a job and financial necessity, they considered their educational options. Five elementary schools in Harrisburg City School District…
Commentary
Read More: The Razor’s Edge of School ChoiceEducation
Give Voters a Say on School Taxes
Five years ago, state lawmakers passed Act 1 to provide property tax relief and give voters a voice on school tax increases. But since slot machine gambling was introduced in…
Commentary
Read More: Give Voters a Say on School TaxesEducation
Father Knows Best for Son
Yesterday, we shared the story of Joy Herbert, a heavily involved parent of son, Anthony, 17, a former ‘A' student who was forced to drop out of school due violence. …
Commentary
Read More: Father Knows Best for SonEducation
Mom Pleads for Help
Gazing down the crowded and bustling city streets of Philadelphia, Joy Herbert watched as her son Anthony joined her to talk about a disturbing past and present in hopes of…
Commentary
Read More: Mom Pleads for HelpEducation
How Taxpayers are Funding Big Labor’s Education Failures
More than $92 million in taxpayer dollars for public education is being funneled through school districts back to these special interest groups, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and…
Commentary
Read More: How Taxpayers are Funding Big Labor’s Education FailuresRegulation
Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our Grandkids
Politicians last year passed their version of pension reform by deferring existing unfunded liabilities, making them even more unaffordable. The situation was so severe that they felt compelled to include…
Commentary
Read More: Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our Grandkids