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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 AgeTaxes & Economy
Minimum Rationality for Minimum Wage
In an election year, legislators do irrational things, such as spend more money than the budget supports, fund pork projects for their districts, and raise the minimum wage.
Commentary
Read More: Minimum Rationality for Minimum WageState Budget
Whiskey and Car Keys
Author P.J. O’Rourke once wrote: “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” He must have been thinking about Gov. Rendell and…
Commentary
Read More: Whiskey and Car KeysGovernment Accountability
Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them
The distance between the rulers and ruled continues to widen in Pennsylvania. For retiring and defeated members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the daily perks and privileges of office…
Commentary
Read More: Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix ThemGovernment Accountability
The Real Candidates for Office: Liberty vs. Safety
On a stone pillar near the top of the steps ascending toward the Pennsylvania State Capitol is inscribed the following quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up essential…
Commentary
Read More: The Real Candidates for Office: Liberty vs. SafetyTaxes & Economy
Decoding the Swann Property Tax Plan
The property tax relief plan introduced by gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann last month offers a radically different approach to the problem. Swann’s proposal contains some good provisions, some flawed provisions,…
Commentary
Read More: Decoding the Swann Property Tax PlanGovernment Accountability
A Mandate for Reform
Much has been written about the “message” of the May 16 primary election in the weeks since Pennsylvania’s voters thunderously registered their displeasure with “business as usual” in Harrisburg. By…
Commentary
Read More: A Mandate for ReformEducation
Cut the Fat
While Gov. Ed Rendell claims that his administration is “squeezing every nickel out of government,” an analysis of state spending released by the Commonwealth Foundation and Citizens Against Government Waste…
Commentary
Read More: Cut the FatState Budget
Ending Pennsylvanias Business as Usual Budget
The General Assembly’s post-primary return to Harrisburg signals the start of budget season in Pennsylvania—and taxpayers all across the Commonwealth should be clutching their wallets a little tighter in nervous…
Commentary
Read More: Ending Pennsylvanias Business as Usual BudgetState Budget
Return the Windfall Profits
There is a massive organization imposing a financial burden on the Pennsylvania economy. It is consuming an ever larger portion of the average person’s income. The costs for what it…
Commentary
Read More: Return the Windfall ProfitsTaxes & Economy
Building Excise Fees are Not Property Tax Relief
Henry David Thoreau said, “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” In Pennsylvania, that “evil” is the school property…
Commentary
Read More: Building Excise Fees are Not Property Tax ReliefState Budget
Gov. Rendells Blah, Blah, Blah Campaign Strategy
Ever had a conversation with someone who starts to tell a story and then, midway through, says “Blah blah blah” (or words to that effect) and then skips ahead to…
Commentary
Read More: Gov. Rendells Blah, Blah, Blah Campaign StrategyEducation
Property Tax Relief through School Choice
Pennsylvanians deserve property tax reform and relief—not a shift and a sham. But the only way to relieve all homeowners while not burdening other taxpayers is to reduce public school…
Commentary
Read More: Property Tax Relief through School ChoiceGovernment Accountability
A Revolution in 2006?
The 2006 primary election will serve as an important yardstick as to the lingering outrage in the electorate from the legislative pay raise on July 7, 2005 and failure to…
Commentary
Read More: A Revolution in 2006?Energy
The Governments Gas Problem
Government’s energy policies and regulations have been leading us down the wrong road for years, yet the only solution Governor Ed Rendell and plenty of Republicans like Sen. Arlen Specter…
Commentary
Read More: The Governments Gas ProblemEducation
PHEAAs Split Personality
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has a split personality complex, complete with an uncanny ability to assume different identities at a moment’s notice. One day, the student loan…
Commentary
Read More: PHEAAs Split PersonalityTaxes & Economy
The Key to Property Tax Relief
The failure to pass a property tax “relief” plan in Harrisburg has everything to do with politics—politicians can’t agree on whose ox to gore. Current proposals require some taxpayers to…
Commentary
Read More: The Key to Property Tax ReliefTaxes & Economy
Tax Freedom Day in Pennsylvania
Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania! If you are looking for a reason to celebrate, you need look no further than Tax Freedom Day.
Commentary
Read More: Tax Freedom Day in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Corporate Welfare No Boon for Philadelphia Job Market
Despite receiving large corporate "welfare checks" to spur job growth in manufacturing and technology, the Philadelphia region still lags behind other areas of the Commonwealth in employment. The region has…
Commentary
Read More: Corporate Welfare No Boon for Philadelphia Job MarketHealth Care
“Fair-Share Health Care”: Big Labor’s Assault on Profitable Job Providers
Remember the old saying “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”? When it comes to the ongoing war between Wal-Mart and Big Labor, it has turned into “If you can’t…
Commentary
Read More: “Fair-Share Health Care”: Big Labor’s Assault on Profitable Job ProvidersState Budget
Breaking Pennsylvania’s Budget Tradition
Traditionally in Pennsylvania’s “budget season,” the governor has submitted his spending plan for the coming fiscal year, and the General Assembly has accepted it as the starting point for the…
Commentary
Read More: Breaking Pennsylvania’s Budget TraditionTaxes & Economy
Renouce the “Faith”
NOTE: This commentary was originally published on June 15, 2004. Politicians are fond of saying, "Government doesn't create jobs, the private sector does." Yet the machinations of state and federal…
Commentary
Read More: Renouce the “Faith”