Every family, business owner, and taxpayer in Pennsylvania should be able to increase their financial security without undue interference from our state government. Free-market policies that limit taxes, allow entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs, and offer stability to families will put our state on track to become a national leader. Policies that enact spending limits, cut taxes, and reduce regulations will help Pennsylvania avoid debt and restore sound fiscal planning that will benefit citizens in the years to come.

Taxes & Economy

Reading is Poorest City in U.S.

  • Priya Brannick
  • September 28, 2011

Just released Census Bureau figures show Pennsylvania’s poverty rate has climbed, rising to 13.4 percent in 2010 compared to 11.6 percent in 2007, when the recession first hit.

Media

Read More: Reading is Poorest City in U.S.

Taxes & Economy

By the Way, Residents Don’t Like High Taxes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 26, 2011

Dr. Antony Davies, a member of CF’s Council of Scholars, and John Pulito add to the growing body of research showing higher state taxes drive out residents. Their new study,…

Media

Read More: By the Way, Residents Don’t Like High Taxes

Health Care

Changing the Incentives in Medicaid

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 22, 2011

Medicaid spending is set to skyrocket under the federal health care overhaul in the next two years, but it already consumes 31 percent of Pennsylvania’s budget. It is no…

Media

Read More: Changing the Incentives in Medicaid

Public Union Democracy

New Polling Shows 72 Percent of Pennsylvanians Support Right to Work

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2011

New polling conducted by Douglas E. Schoen, LLC for the Manhattan Institute nationally and in 10 targeted states shows widespread bipartisan support to reduce state government spending rather than…

Media

Read More: New Polling Shows 72 Percent of Pennsylvanians Support Right to Work

Taxes & Economy

State Regulators are Best Equipped to Monitor Drilling

  • September 20, 2011

Congress is considering the FRAC Act, legislation to transfer hydraulic fracturing oversight from states to the Environmental Protection Agency, but the EPA has already proved itself incapable of the…

Media

Read More: State Regulators are Best Equipped to Monitor Drilling

Regulation

Wasteful Wine Wizards Cork Kiosk Caper!

  • September 20, 2011

Put a cork in it!  That’s apparently what the Sultans of Syrah said suddenly today as they will pull the putrid pinot plug on the wasteful wine kiosk catastrophe.

Media

Read More: Wasteful Wine Wizards Cork Kiosk Caper!

Regulation

Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 20, 2011

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 Hikes

Regulation

13 Reasons Why Government-Sold Booze Fails

  • September 20, 2011

America was built upon a free-market system where citizens were free to make purchasing decisions in a competitive market without excessive government oversight or taxation. Sadly, that's not true for…

Poll

Read More: 13 Reasons Why Government-Sold Booze Fails

Taxes & Economy

Drilling Bans Hurt Low-income Families

  • September 19, 2011

Some local communities, such as affluent Peters Township, are seeking local bans on drilling in the name of environmental protection, but these unnecessary bans would hinder the ability…

Media

Read More: Drilling Bans Hurt Low-income Families

Regulation

Cabernet Kings Couldn’t Count!

  • September 15, 2011

All together now, Pennsylvania:  Ninety-nine bottle of booze in a box, 99 bottles of booze, blow in a tube, look like a rube, still 99 bottles of booze in a…

Media

Read More: Cabernet Kings Couldn’t Count!

Regulation

Licensing Regulations Drives Out Entrepreneurs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 13, 2011

A Morning Call article brings to light the anti-entrepreneurship policy of occupational licensing. The article focuses on fines imposed on folks trying, in most cases, to earn a living:…

Media

Read More: Licensing Regulations Drives Out Entrepreneurs

Regulation

The State of Inconvenience

  • September 13, 2011

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 Inconvenience

Taxes & Economy

Brain Drain Strikes Again

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 12, 2011

Last weekend I attended a dinner party just over the Pennsylvania border in Ohio. Our hosts moved across the state line about a year ago and complained to me about…

Media

Read More: Brain Drain Strikes Again

Public Union Democracy

Senseless Regulations Cause Job Loss

  • September 8, 2011

Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Independent article on the new state independent contract rules demonstrates the clear need for regulatory streamlining in the commonwealth. After Deborah Webster’s husband lost his job,…

Media

Read More: Senseless Regulations Cause Job Loss

Regulation

Rick Perry, Corporate Welfare and Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 7, 2011

Texas Governor and Presidential Candidate Rick Perry has taken some flak recently for “job creation” funds, which largely direct taxpayer funds to corporations and special projects. This is commonly…

Media

Read More: Rick Perry, Corporate Welfare and Pennsylvania

Regulation

The Failure of Government-run Liquor Stores

  • September 1, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is the exclusive wholesaler and retailer of wine and spirits in the commonwealth.  A current proposal would get the government out of the business…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Failure of Government-run Liquor Stores