Regulation
Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic Economics
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Vice President Kamala Harris wants to make groceries cheaper. However, her vague proposal to ban “price gouging” will have the opposite effect. Economists,…
Read More: Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic EconomicsEvery 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
Chart of the Day: Is it a Spending Problem?
In his budget address, Gov. Corbett talked a great deal about the overspending during the Rendell administration. Ben Waxman responds in the Daily News (I’m paraphrasing) “Nuh-uh, there’s no…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: Is it a Spending Problem?State Budget
Corbett Budget Offers a New Path
Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." For too long Pennsylvania state government has been spending beyond its means and…
Commentary
Read More: Corbett Budget Offers a New PathState Budget
Benefield on Budget Today
If you are following the state budget, or just like listening to me talk (that means you, Mom), today is your lucky day. I’ll be on KDKA Radio in…
Media
Read More: Benefield on Budget TodayTaxes & Economy
Time to Reinvestigate Mann and Now PSU
My American Tradition Institute colleague Chris Horner reports today at the Daily Caller that a NOAA inspector has dug up proof of deception in…
Media
Read More: Time to Reinvestigate Mann and Now PSUEducation
Chart of the Day: Public School Revenue
The chart below highlights Pennsylvania public school revenue, by source, from 1988-89 to 2008-09 (the latest year with data from the state Department of Education). Over the last 20…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: Public School RevenueRegulation
Double Standard in Liquor Control Enforcement
The Pennsylvania Independent has an excellent exposé on the double standard in liquor control enforcement between bars and restaurants and Pennsylvania’s state-run liquor stores. State police regularly perform…
Media
Read More: Double Standard in Liquor Control EnforcementState Budget
Understanding the Pennsylvania State Budget
Pennsylvania's total state operating budget for FY 2010-11 is approximately $65.4 billion-or $5,193 for every man, woman and child in the commonwealth. This policy brief looks at the entire state…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Understanding the Pennsylvania State BudgetState Budget
Reality-Based Budgeting
Pennsylvania state government will tax and spend more than $65 billion this fiscal year. With the loss of federal stimulus money and the exhaustion of all one-time expenditures, the legislature…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Reality-Based BudgetingTaxes & Economy
EPA: Regulation without Representation
Yesterday, I presented comments to the EPA’s advisory committee on the revision of the air standard for ozone, regulated under the Clean Air Act. The proposed standard…
Media
Read More: EPA: Regulation without RepresentationTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Drillers Invest Billions in Pennsylvania
During Monday’s Pennsylvania Press Club meeting, Pennsylvania Budget Secretary Charles Zogby remarked on the economic benefits the Marcellus Shale industry is bringing to Pennsylvania. Secretary Zogby commented that the Marcellus…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Drillers Invest Billions in PennsylvaniaHealth Care
Medicaid Reforms Start with the States
Medicaid spending threatens to consume the entire Pennsylvania state budget, and we aren’t alone. Without greater flexibility, states will be forced to cut services, raise taxes or drop out…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Reforms Start with the StatesRegulation
PLCB Wants to Imitate Private Retailer
After CF’s Nathan Benefield testified last week to the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee on the benefits of liquor store privatization, special interest groups testified that allowing the…
Media
Read More: PLCB Wants to Imitate Private RetailerTaxes & Economy
No CONSOLation from PSU’s PC Move
It seems the number of Penn State graduates who are upset at recent actions of their alma mater grows by the…
Media
Read More: No CONSOLation from PSU’s PC MoveRegulation
Benefits of Liquor Store Privatization for Pennsylvanians
Good morning. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation. We are a nonprofit, independent public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg.
Testimony
Read More: Benefits of Liquor Store Privatization for PennsylvaniansTaxes & Economy
Environmentalists Blow Recent Rule Change out of Proportion
Reactions to the Corbett administration’s revoking of mandatory impact reports on state lands targeted for drilling fail to see the big picture. Comments from environmentalists imply that without an extra…
Media
Read More: Environmentalists Blow Recent Rule Change out of ProportionRegulation
And the Oscar for Higher Taxes Goes to?
Given that Gov. Corbett may end Pennsylvania’s $75 million film tax credit program, the film industry is out in force to prove it’s more unique than other industries, saying it…
Media
Read More: And the Oscar for Higher Taxes Goes to?Regulation
Will a $22 Million Film Tax Credit Revitalize “Stanton, PA”?
This weekend I watched the film Unstoppable, in which Denzel Washington and the new Captain Kirk attempt to stop a runaway train before it derails along “The Curve” in a…
Media
Read More: Will a $22 Million Film Tax Credit Revitalize “Stanton, PA”?Regulation
Video: Matt Brouillette Breaks Down PA’s Fiscal Problems
Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Matt Brouillette was recently interviewed by Tony May, a partner at Triad Strategies. They discuss a broad range of topics including Pennsylvania’s current fiscal situation…
Media
Read More: Video: Matt Brouillette Breaks Down PA’s Fiscal ProblemsCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania Prison Postponed, Pork Prolonged
Yesterday, Gov. Corbett cancelled a planned prison construction project in Fayette County, estimated to cost taxpayers $200 million. In January, Auditor General Wagner called for a halt on…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Prison Postponed, Pork ProlongedPublic Union Democracy
The Tide Against Public Sector Collective Bargaining
Earlier this week, I blogged on state bankruptcy and how some believe budget problems can be solved if states are willing to challenge the…
Media
Read More: The Tide Against Public Sector Collective BargainingRegulation
Understanding the Support for Liquor Store Privatization
On Valentine’s Day, the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimonies on liquor store privatization, including comments from CF’s Nathan Benefield and Duquesne University professor Antony Davies. During the…
Media
Read More: Understanding the Support for Liquor Store Privatization