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

Sky Darkens for Solar Mandates

  • November 21, 2011

HB 1580, which we wrote about previously, would accelerate state mandates for utilities to use solar power as part of their electricity portfolio. A new Energy Association of…

Media

Read More: Sky Darkens for Solar Mandates

Public Union Democracy

Right to Work Helps Oklahoma Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 21, 2011

A new analysis from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs shows that since the Sooner State passed a right to work law in 2001—allowing all workers to choose whether…

Media

Read More: Right to Work Helps Oklahoma Economy

Education

The Lesson of Ohio Might Not Be What You Think

  • Charles Mitchell
  • November 18, 2011

The Wall Street Journal recently featured a very short, very striking piece on the defeat of much-needed limits on the power of government unions in Ohio.  The conventional wisdom on…

Media

Read More: The Lesson of Ohio Might Not Be What You Think

Taxes & Economy

Gas Drilling for Pennsylvania’s Farms, Family and Future

  • November 16, 2011

Across Pennsylvania, natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale has benefited not just companies but also human beings -- by creating tens of thousands of jobs, rescuing families from foreclosure,…

Commentary

Read More: Gas Drilling for Pennsylvania’s Farms, Family and Future

Taxes & Economy

Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • November 14, 2011

The Scranton Times-Tribune and the Patriot-News criticize HB 1950 (the natural gas fee proposal) for not taxing gas drillers enough, yet fail to include basic information about…

Media

Read More: Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?

Regulation

CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor Privatization

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2011

We had a few questions remaining from audience members following last week’s PolicyCast. In this short video, Priya Abraham and I tackle three questions on proposals to privatize state-run liquor…

Media

Read More: CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor Privatization

Regulation

The Real Housewives of the PLCB?

  • November 4, 2011

From the directors of such fine films as The Great Kiosk Catastrophe, The Inventory System of Doom, and Big Brother Border Bleed comes its latest house of horrors: …

Media

Read More: The Real Housewives of the PLCB?

Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Lowers Heating Bills

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 2, 2011

The Pittsburgh Tribune and Erie Times report natural gas prices are decreasing as we approach the winter months. Rates per thousand cubic feet are dropping across western Pennsylvania.

Media

Read More: Marcellus Shale Lowers Heating Bills

Education

The Economic Cost of Education Failure

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 1, 2011

If you don’t have a child in a failing school, you may think that SB 1 and the education reforms it contains are of no benefit to you. Think again.

Media

Read More: The Economic Cost of Education Failure

Education

Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor Choice

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 31, 2011

In the latest edition of The BOX Program podcast, State Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne sits down sits down with Matt Brouillette.  Sen. Browne discusses school choice and liquor store…

Media

Read More: Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor Choice

Taxes & Economy

State Energy Mandates Cost up to $440 million

  • October 28, 2011

A new study by Penn State scholars found Pennsylvania’s alternative energy mandates will cost taxpayers up to $60 million next year and up to $440 million in ten years.

Media

Read More: State Energy Mandates Cost up to $440 million

Energy

Marcellus Shale Impact Fee

  • October 28, 2011

Companies should pay for the cost of government they use.  Many advocates of a new tax simply want more money for Harrisburg politicians to dole out.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Marcellus Shale Impact Fee

Taxes & Economy

PA’s High Unemployment Taxes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 28, 2011

Pennsylvania employers pay some of the highest unemployment insurance taxes in the nation, according to a new study by the Tax Foundation. Tax rates vary based on the frequency of layoffs.

Media

Read More: PA’s High Unemployment Taxes

Taxes & Economy

100,000+ Improperly Get Pa. Med Benefits

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 27, 2011

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare testified that hundreds of thousands of individuals were improperly receiving Medicaid, taxpayer-funded health care for the poor and the disabled. Capitolwire writes:…

Media

Read More: 100,000+ Improperly Get Pa. Med Benefits

Regulation

Did Union Boss Young Read Wrong Liquor Study?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 26, 2011

The union boss who earns nearly $300,000 each year by forcing liquor store employees to pay dues to his union released a statement regarding the PFM group’s report…

Media

Read More: Did Union Boss Young Read Wrong Liquor Study?

Regulation

Highlights from Governor’s Liquor Privatization Summary

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 25, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett released a long-awaited study from The PFM Group on state liquor store privatization. Click here for the full study (nearly 300 pages), or here to get…

Media

Read More: Highlights from Governor’s Liquor Privatization Summary

Education

Want a 70% Approval Rating?

  • Charles Mitchell
  • October 24, 2011

Let’s be real.  One of the things that often gets CF into trouble is that from the outside, it seems like we never need to worry about whether the free-market…

Media

Read More: Want a 70% Approval Rating?

Regulation

Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 24, 2011

The Patriot News obtained a draft copy of the forthcoming study on liquor store privatization commissioned by Gov. Tom Corbett. According to the story, the report predicts auctioning…

Media

Read More: Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?

Taxes & Economy

Blame Game No Jobs Gain

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2011

Pennsylvania House Democrats put out an email blaming Gov. Corbett and Republicans for a lousy economy: Since Republicans passed the Corbett budget in June, unemployment in Pennsylvania has risen more…

Media

Read More: Blame Game No Jobs Gain

Regulation

Knowles’ Bill Puts Taxpayers Above Special Interests

  • October 20, 2011

Liquor store union president Wendell Young appears to be on a campaign to discredit any lawmaker that favors removing the state’s monopoly stranglehold over liquor sales. You can…

Media

Read More: Knowles’ Bill Puts Taxpayers Above Special Interests