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.

Taxes & Economy

Do you know the drill?

  • December 7, 2010

When it comes to hydraulic fracturing, Pennsylvanians are being bombarded with misleading information. Citizens informed with this inaccurate information, largely stemming from the disingenuous film Gasland, are…

Media

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Regulation

Supremes Say Grocery Store Suds Sales Sanctioned

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 7, 2010

The State Supreme Court has ruled uniamously that Wegmen’s and other grocery stores with restaurants are allowed to apply for retail beer licenses, which allow them to sell six…

Media

Read More: Supremes Say Grocery Store Suds Sales Sanctioned

Taxes & Economy

Super Rendell Finds Bailout For Failing Port Authority

  • December 6, 2010

Gov. Rendell has “found” $45 million dollars of Federal Transportation Funds (for Economic Development) to bail out the failing Port Authority. Proponents claim it as a success, stating that…

Media

Read More: Super Rendell Finds Bailout For Failing Port Authority

Government Accountability

Best Legislative Session Ever?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 6, 2010

Jan Murphy of the Patriot-News notes that the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Legislative Session had the fewest new laws passed in 24 years. Since most pieces of legislation are a new…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

How Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 3, 2010

The Pennsylvania Solar Industries Association, along with PennEnvironment are touting a solar industry sponsored study, which estimates the Commonwealth has created 6,700 solar jobs. These groups are not…

Media

Read More: How Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

Taxes & Economy

Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 3, 2010

PA State Senator John Eichelberger gives a scathing review of Pennsylvania’s 2008 “dog law”, which had the noble intention of shutting down “puppy mills,” but has resulted in forcing…

Media

Read More: Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?

State Budget

Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion More

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 1, 2010

Gov. Rendell is pushing to issue $1 billion in new state debt before he leaves office in January. Of course, before the bonds are issued, either the Auditor General or…

Media

Read More: Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion More

Taxes & Economy

Family Feud Fuels Anti-Drilling Folly, Fiasco

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 30, 2010

Last week, the Wall Street Journal featured the leasing saga of the Price family, a Silver Lake Township, Pa., clan whose fickle family…

Media

Read More: Family Feud Fuels Anti-Drilling Folly, Fiasco

Taxes & Economy

Re: Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology

  • November 29, 2010

I noted last week how The Patriot-News and the Washington Post seemed to figure out that government subsidies for a new Green jobs economy cannot work. For an excellent illustration…

Media

Read More: Re: Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology

Taxes & Economy

How the EPA’s Brownfield Rules will Hurt Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • November 29, 2010

Former Brownfield Site in Allentown, PA The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed premature dioxin* remediation goals that could threaten urban revitalization of brownfields. Brownfields are…

Media

Read More: How the EPA’s Brownfield Rules will Hurt Pennsylvania’s Economy

Taxes & Economy

Long-Term Care a Growing Part of State Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 29, 2010

The Healthcare Economist blog highlights the size and growth of long-term care (LTC) spending. Medicaid spending on long-term care services, including home/community care and traditional nursing homes, has approximately quadrupled in the past…

Media

Read More: Long-Term Care a Growing Part of State Spending

Taxes & Economy

Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology

  • November 23, 2010

Today The Patriot-News reports that state and federal subsidies for renewables projects are running out, leading to uncertainty that a whole new Green Economy (promoted by environmentalists)…

Media

Read More: Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology

Taxes & Economy

Even Al Gore Opposes Ethanol Subsidies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 23, 2010

Yesterday, former Vice President and emperor of global warming alarmism Al Gore admitted that it was a mistake to support ethanol mandates and subsidies. Gore blamed the political dynamics,…

Media

Read More: Even Al Gore Opposes Ethanol Subsidies

Taxes & Economy

Misinformation Fuels Severance Tax (or Fee)

  • November 22, 2010

It’s not surprising that so many Pennsylvanians believe the state needs a severance tax, when they are bombarded with biased and misleading information. A recent example comes from the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Are Tax Cuts Unfair?

  • November 22, 2010

Congress continues to debate whether to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, to allow taxes to go up on everyone, or…

Media

Read More: Are Tax Cuts Unfair?

Regulation

Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What Now

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 19, 2010

My presentation to the Berks County Patriots on Pennsylvania state spending and the fiscal and economic challenges facing Pennsylvania is available below, or can be downloaded here:…

Media

Read More: Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What Now

State Budget

Disingenuous Jan Jarrett

  • November 18, 2010

The PennFuture president yesterday continued her lamentation over a lame duck legislature’s failure to expand government, raise taxes and kill jobs: “Every day that passes without…

Media

Read More: Disingenuous Jan Jarrett

Regulation

No WAMS Pledge

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 18, 2010

The Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania is starting a new campaign to banish WAMs (Walking Around Money) from the General Assembly, much like some members of Congress are attempting to…

Media

Read More: No WAMS Pledge

Regulation

Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

  • November 18, 2010

After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…

Commentary

Read More: Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

Regulation

PA House Passes Recycling Mandate

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 17, 2010

Monday’s State House voting session focused on the pension bailout, but in the flurry of activity, a little discussed recycling bill that will cost manufacturers thousands annually and deter new…

Media

Read More: PA House Passes Recycling Mandate