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
Taxes & Economy
The Real Victims of a Severance Tax
Jim VanBlarcom, a busy Bradford County dairy farmer, set a work day aside to come to Harrisburg and tell his story to Gov. Tom Corbett's Marcellus Shale panel. Royalty money…
Commentary
Read More: The Real Victims of a Severance TaxEducation
Pennsylvania Education Spending Update
Since our budget facts on Pennsylvania Education Spending, the PA Department of Education (PDE) has released updated data on school spending and revenue, through the 2009-10 school year.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Education Spending UpdateRegulation
Pennsylvania State Pension Liabilities
PSERS and SERS project total taxpayer contributions will increase from $1.1 billion this year to more than $5.5 billion in 2016—a 421% increase in five years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Pension LiabilitiesTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Hiring Spree Continues
The Center for Workforce Information and Analysis (the research arm of the Department of Labor and Industry) released their April Marcellus Shale Fast Facts, demonstrating tremendous growth in Marcellus…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Hiring Spree ContinuesRegulation
The Phony “Surplus”
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released May General Fund tax collection data, and many lawmakers are clamoring to spend this “surplus”. But the idea there is any “surplus” is…
Media
Read More: The Phony “Surplus”Public Union Democracy
Pennsylvania’s State Union Contracts
On June 30, 2011, 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…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s State Union ContractsRegulation
Have Casinos Hurt Lottery Sales?
According to a new report from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, the presence of casinos does not have a negative impact on state lottery revenues. At the same…
Media
Read More: Have Casinos Hurt Lottery Sales?Education
Make the Case to Voters
My letter to the editor in today’s Post-Gazette on school tax referendum. The article “Groups Fighting…
Media
Read More: Make the Case to VotersTaxes & Economy
WITF Marcellus Forum Viewers Guide
Tonight at 8 p.m., WITF TV will air an hour-long “Marcellus Shale Forum”. While the discussion should be informative for most viewers wanting to learn about the Marcellus Shale…
Media
Read More: WITF Marcellus Forum Viewers GuideTaxes & Economy
What’s the Difference Between a Tax and a Fee?
The latest media narrative this week seems to be that Americans for Tax Reform’s Grover Norquist is controlling Pennsylvania lawmakers, by stating that a proposed “impact fee” is a…
Media
Read More: What’s the Difference Between a Tax and a Fee?Regulation
Privatizing “Yellow Pages” Government
This report surveys the scope of Yellow Pages Government in Pennsylvania, looks at examples of state and local privatization throughout the country, and outlines best practices to equip lawmakers to…
Report
Read More: Privatizing “Yellow Pages” GovernmentState Budget
Is Gas Drilling Behind the Surplus?
A reader asks if natural gas drilling is behind April’s higher than estimated tax revenues — what legislators are now calling a “budget surplus.” It would be difficult to definitively make that claim,…
Media
Read More: Is Gas Drilling Behind the Surplus?State Budget
PA House Passes Fiscally Responsible Budget
Last night, the Pennsylvania House passed a $27.3 billion General Fund budget bill (HB 1485). The fiscally responsible proposal includes no new taxes, prioritizes resources and maintains the…
Media
Read More: PA House Passes Fiscally Responsible BudgetTaxes & Economy
Court Orders U. of Virginia to Produce Michael Mann Documents
As I mentioned last week, the American Tradition Institute’s Environmental Law Center took the University of Virginia to court yesterday in Prince William County, Va., to…
Media
Read More: Court Orders U. of Virginia to Produce Michael Mann DocumentsPublic Union Democracy
PA Legislators Consider Unemployment Compensation Reforms
By June 11th, the state must change its unemployment compensation rules to meet federal guidelines, or 45,000 Pennsylvanians will lose their unemployment benefits. Gov. Corbett has been supportive of more…
Media
Read More: PA Legislators Consider Unemployment Compensation ReformsEducation
Is Full-Day Kindergarten All Supporters Claim it to Be?
Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget includes cutting Pennsylvania’s Accountability Block Grant (ABG). Among the areas Accountability Block Grants can be use for is full-day Kindergarten programs at school districts. While…
Media
Read More: Is Full-Day Kindergarten All Supporters Claim it to Be?Health Care
Pennsylvania Welfare Spending & Medicaid
Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed FY 2011-12 budget would represent the first time General Fund spending on the Department of Public Welfare would exceed that for the Department of Education.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Welfare Spending & MedicaidHealth Care
Rescuing the States from Medicaid
State Medicaid spending has increased four times faster than elementary and secondary education spending and nine times faster than transportation spending over the past two decades. In Pennsylvania,…
Media
Read More: Rescuing the States from MedicaidEducation
Spending for Higher Education Doesn’t Create Economic Growth
The Coleman Report, published in 1966, and subsequent experience and analysis has demolished the idea that inputs alone are very useful in explaining the output of K-12. As the college…
Commentary
Read More: Spending for Higher Education Doesn’t Create Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
Local Residents Tout Benefits of Marcellus Drilling
While many pro-tax groups are pushing for a natural gas severance fee—or impact fee though no one can quantify impact costs that drillers are not addressing—local residents often have…
Media
Read More: Local Residents Tout Benefits of Marcellus DrillingRegulation
Privatization Could Save Harrisburg
In December, Harrisburg entered into the state’s ominous Act 47 program for distressed cities to avoid bankruptcy. Privatization seems one option to help the city deal with its debt…
Media
Read More: Privatization Could Save Harrisburg