Commentary

State Budget

Corbett Budget Offers a New Path

• Nathan Benefield
• March 10, 2011

Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."  For too long Pennsylvania state government has been spending beyond its means and…

Commentary

Spending Transparency Coming to Pennsylvania?

• Elizabeth Stelle
• March 2, 2011

PennWATCH (House Bill 15), sponsored by Rep. Jim Christiana, would create a user-friendly database with searchable information on all state government spending. The bill passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously on…

Commentary

Education

School Daze Ends with Choice

• Matthew Brouillette
• February 9, 2011

If Pennsylvania's public schools are broken, why don't we just fix them?  Easier said than done, of course, but it's not from a lack of trying.  For decades, taxpayers, parents…

Commentary

Education

Parents Need Choices & Control of Their Children’s Education

• Nathan Benefield
• January 26, 2011

Almost 40,000 students used an EITC scholarship last year—with an average value of $1,000—to attend a better or safer school. The average annual family income for these students was only…

Commentary

Regulation

Fixing Rendell’s Mess

• Nathan Benefield
• January 20, 2011

Penn's Woods are darker and deeper in red ink than ever before thanks to the tax-borrow-and-spend agenda of the Rendell Administration and some General Assembly members who failed to put…

Commentary

Education

How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes

• Matthew Brouillette
• January 17, 2011

Even before Gov.-elect Tom Corbett raises his right hand high Tuesday swearing to tackle the problems left from the previous administration's tax-borrow-and-spend agenda, doubters are lining up to take potshots…

Commentary

Energy

Gov., Legislature Should Repeal Costly Renewables Mandates

• December 30, 2010

A lot can be spun from the results of the Nov. 2 elections, but one fact is uncontrovertible: Pennsylvanians are sick of centrally planned, highly regulated, gimmick-driven economic policy. It…

Commentary

Regulation

Private Liquor Stores: A Reason for Cheers

• December 21, 2010

As many Pennsylvanians are heading to their local state liquor store to pick up holiday cheer, there are three things they won't be celebrating: Higher costs, less selection and lower…

Commentary

State Budget

The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s Rainbow

• Nathan Benefield
• December 13, 2010

These days it's hard enough for Pennsylvania families to think about meeting their obligations let alone piling on more debt.  But that's exactly what outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell did this…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Lawsuit Lottery Must End

• December 8, 2010

Upon taking office in January, Governor-elect Tom Corbett will face the burden of addressing the numerous economic and fiscal problems facing the Keystone State.  One of the most pervasive is…

Commentary

Regulation

Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

• November 18, 2010

After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…

Commentary

If Teachers Only Knew…

• Matthew Brouillette
• November 12, 2010

I know teachers. I used to be one, in fact. And I know that no teacher would knowingly steal from his kids and grandkids. That's why I am appalled that…

Commentary

Regulation

Corbett’s Challenge

• Nathan Benefield
• November 8, 2010

As Tom Corbett prepares for his move into the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion, he must be realizing the magnitude of what he is about to undertake: the governorship of a state…

Commentary

Energy

Never Enough Green for Renewable Energy

• October 27, 2010

According to Pennsylvania's Public Utilities Commission, the annual cost of ownership for solar energy per kilowatt-hour is over 700% more than the cost of coal, and wind energy is almost…

Commentary

Regulation

Time to End Public Sector Indentured Servitude

• October 25, 2010

Public service is one of the few places where one still can find a defined benefit pot of gold at the end of their employment. Although defined benefit pensions are…

Commentary

Regulation

Harrisburg’s Woes: Coming to a City Near You

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 19, 2010

Gov. Rendell's recent state bailout of the city of Harrisburg has brought attention to the capital city's fiscal mismanagement. With millions in debt payments and an enormous pension obligation, Harrisburg's…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Making PA Budgets Honest

• September 29, 2010

American governments are built around the power of legislatures to challenge administrations through public debate. From this debate come better policy decisions. However, if one side has a monopoly on…

Commentary

Three Myths about Free Market Conservatives

• Nathan Benefield
• September 23, 2010

Working for a free-market think tank, one hears all the attacks against conservatives and endures being given many labels.  Three of the most common attacks launched by both those who…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Citizens Scrimp As Government Spends

• Matthew Brouillette
• September 20, 2010

With grim economic statistics mounting both here in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, more and more of our fellow citizens are engaging in a collective belt-tightening. It is only our…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Constitution Day and the Perilous Future

• September 17, 2010

On September 17, we celebrate the creation of our Constitution, one of the greatest governing documents ever conceived by the hand of man. This is the day we commemorate the…

Commentary

Energy

Energy 101

• September 5, 2010

Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…

Commentary