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

PLCB’s Real Agenda

  • March 23, 2011

Last month, we exposed the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s alternative to liquor store privatization scheme, which is making headlines today after the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Media

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Health Care

Still Learning “What’s in the Bill”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 22, 2011

My brother sent me the following text message while at his local pharmacy: Just realized that OTC [over-the-counter] drugs are no longer covered by HSA thanks to Obama. I…

Media

Read More: Still Learning “What’s in the Bill”

Education

Parents Mustn’t Fall for Penn State Claims

  • Charles Mitchell
  • March 21, 2011

In an op-ed in Sunday’s Harrisburg Patriot-News, Penn State President Graham Spanier repeated his now-familiar claims that his institution must receive more from taxpayers than the $165 million…

Media

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Education

On Penn State and Lasagna

  • Charles Mitchell
  • March 18, 2011

The news that Penn State’s trustees just froze new building projects brings lasagna to mind. The reason is that right after my wife and I returned from the hospital…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Michael Mann at the Zoo

  • March 18, 2011

I’ve got a piece up today at American Spectator which reveals the latest two taxpayer-funded projects that Penn State Climategate scientist Michael Mann has added to his…

Media

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Education

Hope for University Administrators, or Taxpayers?

  • Charles Mitchell
  • March 18, 2011

Tracie Mauriello of the Post-Gazette has a story today with the headline “Legislators offer hope to university administrators.”  There, she quotes several state senators who say they hope to…

Media

Read More: Hope for University Administrators, or Taxpayers?

Education

Another Way to Handle Budget Problems

  • March 17, 2011

Following up on Charles’s post last week about Penn State’s “political stunt” over Gov. Corbett’s planned cuts to the university, it might help PSU president Graham Spanier to look…

Media

Read More: Another Way to Handle Budget Problems

Education

Top Ten Reasons Pennsylvanians Deserve More from Their Universities

  • Charles Mitchell
  • March 17, 2011

Yesterday in Harrisburg, the talk was all about Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposal to cut the generous subsidies Pennsylvania taxpayers provide to our universities.  Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said…

Media

Read More: Top Ten Reasons Pennsylvanians Deserve More from Their Universities

Taxes & Economy

About a Streamlining Commission

  • March 16, 2011

Yesterday, CF released its new publication, Streamlining State Government, bringing attention to the more than 340 state regulatory and advisory agencies, demonstrating the need to trim the size…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Streamlining State Government

  • March 15, 2011

Pennsylvania businesses must navigate a complex web of regulations from more than 340 independent state agencies, offices, state departments, boards, commissions, and committees stemming from the executive branch. Several other…

Report

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Public Union Democracy

Streamlining State Government Testimony

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 15, 2011

Thank you Chairman Smucker and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify before you today.  I’m Nate Benefield, Director of Policy Research at the Commonwealth Foundation for…

Testimony

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Regulation

Despite Union Propaganda, Residents Support Privatization

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 15, 2011

The Morning Call and Muhlenberg College recently conducted a poll on Pennsylvania’s budget situation. Despite months of union sponsored misinformation campaigns, Pennsylvania residents remain largely supportive…

Media

Read More: Despite Union Propaganda, Residents Support Privatization

Health Care

Medicaid Reforms Needed as Welfare Spending Surpasses Education

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 11, 2011

Under Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal, Pennsylvania would spend more on welfare than education for first time. A large chunk of that welfare spending is in Medicaid, a joint state-federal program…

Media

Read More: Medicaid Reforms Needed as Welfare Spending Surpasses Education

Education

PSU: Political Stunt University?

  • Charles Mitchell
  • March 10, 2011

University presidents are howling in response to Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget address, in which he proposed giving their institutions less of taxpayers’ hard-earned money.  The loudest protests are coming from…

Media

Read More: PSU: Political Stunt University?

State Budget

Chart of the Day: Is it a Spending Problem?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2011

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

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2011

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 Path

State Budget

Benefield on Budget Today

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 9, 2011

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 Today

Taxes & Economy

Time to Reinvestigate Mann and Now PSU

  • March 8, 2011

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 PSU

Education

Chart of the Day: Public School Revenue

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 8, 2011

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 Revenue

Regulation

Double Standard in Liquor Control Enforcement

  • March 7, 2011

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

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