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
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 PrivatizationState Budget
Is State Bankruptcy a Solution?
What do New York, California and Illinois have in common? They are in fiscal disarray and may soon be asking for a bailout from Congress. Bailing out these states would…
Media
Read More: Is State Bankruptcy a Solution?Regulation
Impacts of Liquor Privatization
Remarks by Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research, Commonwealth Foundation Good afternoon. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation. We are a nonprofit, independent public…
Testimony
Read More: Impacts of Liquor PrivatizationTaxes & Economy
Hanger: Gas Fracking is Safe
John Hanger, who just departed with Gov. Ed Rendell as his Secretary of Environmental Protection, recently gave an exit interview to the anti-natural gas,…
Media
Read More: Hanger: Gas Fracking is SafeTaxes & Economy
Green Energy Could Lead to More Blackouts
Recent controlled blackouts in Houston were reportedly caused by the inability of older fossil fuel power plants to operate in unusually cold temperatures. Now proponents of green energy are…
Media
Read More: Green Energy Could Lead to More BlackoutsHealth Care
Five Reasons Corbett Should Stop Implementing Obamacare
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has indicated the state will continue to implement federal health care mandates, such as an an insurance exchange, at least for the time being. Here are…
Media
Read More: Five Reasons Corbett Should Stop Implementing ObamacareTaxes & Economy
A Tax by Any Name Should Still Smell Defeat
State Senator Gene Yaw is pitching a new natural gas tax. The idea is to allow local communities to include the value of natural gas in property tax assessments,…
Media
Read More: A Tax by Any Name Should Still Smell Defeat