Commentary

Energy

Gas Fuels Growth

• August 3, 2010

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

State Budget

Can Tom Corbett Keep His “No Tax” Pledge?

• Matthew Brouillette
• July 27, 2010

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

Government Accountability

I&R: Our Inalienable Right to Reform

• Nathan Benefield
• July 22, 2010

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

Regulation

The Real Problem with the Specter Library

• Nathan Benefield
• July 13, 2010

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

Government Accountability

PennFuture: Harrisburg’s Lobbying Launderers

• July 9, 2010

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

Energy

The Marcellus Shale: A Real Stimulus

• June 22, 2010

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

Education

The True Beneficiaries of Education Subsidies

• Nathan Benefield
• June 21, 2010

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

Regulation

$27 Billion Pension “Reform”: Still Doubling Down on Generational Theft

• Richard Dreyfuss
• June 21, 2010

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

Regulation

Rendell’s $52 Billion Pension “Reform”

• Richard Dreyfuss
• June 15, 2010

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

Regulation

Are Pennsylvania Taxes “Money Well Spent?”

• Nathan Benefield
• June 15, 2010

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

State Budget

Lay Off the Private Sector with Public Sector Layoffs

• Matthew Brouillette
• June 10, 2010

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

Government Accountability

The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA

• Matthew Brouillette
• May 24, 2010

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

Energy

Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

• May 12, 2010

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

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan

• May 4, 2010

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

Small Business vs. Big Government

• April 29, 2010

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

Regulation

Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”

• April 27, 2010

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

Taxes & Economy

Transportation Funding Solutions Require Reforms and Reprioritization

• Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
• April 14, 2010

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

Education

Ten Tips to Balance the Budget

• Elizabeth Stelle
• April 8, 2010

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

State Budget

Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs

• April 6, 2010

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

Health Care

Who the Health Cares About the Constitution?

• Nathan Benefield
• March 30, 2010

Constitutional questions have dogged the health care bill since its introduction.  But rather than address these issues head on, supporters of the legislation have shrugged them off.  Speaker Nancy Pelosi,…

Commentary

Regulation

Private Parks Promote Public Preservation

• March 25, 2010

It is an oft-disseminated myth that government has to be the sole guardian of our historic sites, museums, and parks.  For instance, during the 2009 state budget impasse, Gov. Rendell…

Commentary