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

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

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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

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

Read More: Big Labor’s Stranglehold in Pennsylvania

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

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

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

Read More: Estimating Marcellus Shale’s Economic Impact

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

Read More: Preserving Penn’s Woods Proven by Public-Private Partnerships