Commentary

Energy

Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 31, 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

Education

Gov. Rendell’s Gamesmanship

• Nathan Benefield
• August 27, 2010

While table games have been in Pennsylvania casinos for more than a month, I don't know if Gov. Rendell has tried his luck. But it would be a safe wager…

Commentary

Education

Teachers and their Unions, Part II

• August 26, 2010

This is another look raising legitimate questions as to how, or even if, teacher unions can reasonably be said to recommend their members which, of course, they maintain they do. …

Commentary

Education

Teachers and Their Unions

• August 19, 2010

Teacher unions like to say they represent their members and look out for their best interests, including protecting their rights to speak out without reprisal.  Teachers  are by the nature…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Time to Exit Rendell’s Road to Higher Taxes

• August 17, 2010

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

Education

A School Choice Governor?

• August 10, 2010

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

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