Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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.
Related Issues
State Budget
The Good, The Bad and The Undone
The Commonwealth Foundation praised Gov. Tom Corbett and the General Assembly for closing Pennsylvania’s $4.2 billion budget gap without raising taxes on working Pennsylvanians, but a thorough review of the…
Press Release
Read More: The Good, The Bad and The UndoneState Budget
Pennsylvania Budget for Smarties
The total state operating budget is $64 billion...and will be reduced for the first time in at least 40 years. While adults employed in public schools complain education is being…
Poll
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget for SmartiesRegulation
Big Brother Buys Booze Brother
MOSCOW HARRISBURG (June 30) – If there’s something strange, in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Apparently Dan Aykroyd, if you’re the buck burning booze brokers known…
Media
Read More: Big Brother Buys Booze BrotherState Budget
General Fund Spending in Budget Deal
The FY 2011-12 budget deal includes $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, as part of the state's approximately $64 billion total operating budget. The deal represents a reduction of $3…
Fact Sheet
Read More: General Fund Spending in Budget DealEducation
More Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying from School Districts
Public schools complain of underfunding, yet they are spending your tax dollars to lobby for more funding and against school choice, as property taxes skyrocket. The latest salvo comes from…
Media
Read More: More Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying from School DistrictsEducation
University Subsidy Bills Nixed, What Now?
Last night, Pennsylvania House Democrats voted to defeat legislation on state subsidies for Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University, as well as for…
Media
Read More: University Subsidy Bills Nixed, What Now?Education
Don’t Fall for the False Choice on Tuition and Taxpayers
I see that right now, our legislators are once again debating cuts to the generous subsidies our public universities receive from taxpayers. Some are claiming that if the cuts pass,…
Media
Read More: Don’t Fall for the False Choice on Tuition and TaxpayersRegulation
Chairman Wow Commends Kiosk Catastrophe
MOSCOW HARRISBURG – From the “They Just Don’t Get It” file comes confirmation from the commissar himself that Orwellian doublespeak is alive and well in Pennsylvania government. In…
Media
Read More: Chairman Wow Commends Kiosk CatastropheTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Job Growth Continues to Drag
Today, President Obama will visit Carnegie Mellon University to talk about technology and manufacturing jobs. A important topic, considering Pennsylvania continues to fall behind other states when it comes…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Job Growth Continues to DragRegulation
Growing Greener is Corporate Welfare
The Patriot News editorial board has yet another editorial arguing for a new tax on natural gas, on top of the taxes they already pay. While the board’s passion…
Media
Read More: Growing Greener is Corporate WelfareTaxes & Economy
Nine of 11 Fastest Growing Jobs Drilling Related
Nationwide workforce data shows oil and gas extraction jobs growing at rates far above any other sector of the American economy. According to EMSI’s latest quarterly employment data,…
Media
Read More: Nine of 11 Fastest Growing Jobs Drilling RelatedEducation
Philadelphia Public Schools Among Worst in Nation
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which compares educational performance across all 50 states and major cities, Philadelphia public schools compare poorly, even to other large urban…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia Public Schools Among Worst in NationGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania State Government Union Contracts
On June 30, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Government Union ContractsRegulation
PA Ranks 27th on Economic Freedom Index
The Mercatus Center’s annual report of the Freedom in the 50 States ranked the Keystone State 27th in economic freedom. Pennsylvania’s overall freedom ranking has declined three places since 2007.
Media
Read More: PA Ranks 27th on Economic Freedom IndexRegulation
Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our Grandkids
Politicians last year passed their version of pension reform by deferring existing unfunded liabilities, making them even more unaffordable. The situation was so severe that they felt compelled to include…
Commentary
Read More: Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our GrandkidsPublic Union Democracy
Shippensburg Asks for Prevailing Wage Relief
Shippensburg Borough Council recently passed a resolution asking for state relief from prevailing wage mandates. Prevailing wage mandates were imposed 50 years ago in Pennsylvania, following federal Davis-Bacon Act…
Media
Read More: Shippensburg Asks for Prevailing Wage ReliefRegulation
Inky Sinks Pink Drink Stink
A hearty hoorah and hat tip goes to the Philadelphia Inquirer today for their spot-on editorial blasting the PLCB’s perestroika campaign, whereby they call beleaguered booze bumblers, “Orwellian.” In analysis of…
Media
Read More: Inky Sinks Pink Drink StinkState Budget
Unemployment Compensation Reform on Tap
This week, the House is expected to take up SB 1030, which would change Unemployment Compensation guidelines to ensured continue benefits for about 45,000 Pennsylvanians and help bring the…
Media
Read More: Unemployment Compensation Reform on TapTaxes & Economy
Biofuel Failure becomes Natural Gas Success
Pat Copple owns a biodiesel plant in Monaca, or at least he did until May when he started to convert his operation into a Marcellus wastewater treating facility. Copple says the…
Media
Read More: Biofuel Failure becomes Natural Gas SuccessTaxes & Economy
Fracking Friday
There are several good articles and studies worth reading on natural gas drilling, Marcellus Shale and fracking: Katrina’s commentary on the local impact of natural gas drilling appears in today’s…
Media
Read More: Fracking FridayTaxes & Economy
PA Property Tax Administration 2nd Worst in Nation
This past May, the commonwealth tied for second worse in the nation in state property tax administration, according to the Council On State Taxation (COST). States were evaluated in…
Media
Read More: PA Property Tax Administration 2nd Worst in Nation