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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Public Union Democracy

Big Labor’s Stranglehold in Pennsylvania

  • Priya Brannick
  • August 31, 2011

Here’s a depressing, if unsurprising, statistic: In a new index assessing whether states favor government union bosses or taxpayers, Pennsylvania ranks 5th worst. The Competitive Enterprise Institute ranked…

Media

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Regulation

Wine Kiosks: One of These Things is Not Like the Others

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 31, 2011

Yesterday, Auditor General Jack Wagner released an audit of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s wine kiosk program. Following that, PLCB CEO Joe Conti talked with capitol reporters. In the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Estimating Marcellus Shale’s Economic Impact

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 30, 2011

A new study from Penn State’s Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center estimates that natural gas drilling in Marcellus Shale created 24,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and added $3.1 billion…

Media

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Regulation

Preserving Penn’s Woods Proven by Public-Private Partnerships

  • August 30, 2011

Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Corbett suggested the commonwealth consider leasing state park operations and services. Almost immediately and without thoughtful consideration, pundits launched political fire, claiming "privateers" would exploit…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Scorecard: Toomey Scores, Casey Fumbles for Pa.

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 26, 2011

Yesterday, Heritage Action released its legislative scorecard for all members of the 112th U.S. Congress. The scorecard can be searched by name, state or even zip code. Current…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Local Impact Fee

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 26, 2011

Good evening. I am Elizabeth Stelle, a Policy Analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation. We are Pennsylvania’s free market think that crafts and promotes free-market policies based on guiding principles like…

Testimony

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Public Union Democracy

When Union Bosses Make Stuff Up, We Offer Facts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 23, 2011

In a story by PA Independent, AFL-CIO head honcho Rick Bloomingdale attempts to deny the incredible job growth in right-to-work states like Texas. Bloomingdale comments: “Most likely, the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

EPA Regs Kill PA Jobs

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 22, 2011

Cap and Trade may be officially dead in Congress but the EPA is busy resurrecting it in a far more disastrous policy agenda that kills thousands of Pennsylvania jobs and…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Drilling not Increasing Local Government Costs

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 18, 2011

A new study from the Marcellus Shale Center for Outreach and Research at Penn State provides an analysis of the cost to local government from Marcells Shale drilling. With…

Media

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