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

What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 25, 2010

On Friday, I attended a Marcellus Shale Forum, which featured presentations on a variety of issues, including methane migration, water disposal, and drilling safety. Contrary to some popular belief,…

Media

Read More: What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?

Regulation

Time to End Public Sector Indentured Servitude

  • October 25, 2010

Public service is one of the few places where one still can find a defined benefit pot of gold at the end of their employment. Although defined benefit pensions are…

Commentary

Read More: Time to End Public Sector Indentured Servitude

Taxes & Economy

Sorry PennFuture, No Gas Tax for Staycations

  • October 22, 2010

That didn’t take long. After Senate Republican leaders Joe Scarnati, Dominic Pileggi, and Jake Corman notified Gov. Ed Rendell of their “best offer” for a tax plan on the natural…

Media

Read More: Sorry PennFuture, No Gas Tax for Staycations

State Budget

Rendell’s Legacy of Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2010

Here is my letter to the editor in today’s Wall Street Journal on Gov. Rendell’s spending record: Regarding the contribution of Gov. Ed Rendell in “Four…

Media

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State Budget

Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 21, 2010

Last night, Harrisburg officials held a hearing to determine if the city qualifies for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Financial Recovery Program, Act 47. Mayor Linda Thompson and Governor Rendell support entrance…

Media

Read More: Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47

Regulation

Cities and their Bankrupt Pension Plans

  • October 21, 2010

A recent study, published by Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, found shocking statistics about the solvency of most city and state pension funds. The total unfunded pension liability for…

Media

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Government Accountability

Get Ready to Be Amazed

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 21, 2010

In Lancaster County, PA, local government officials have done the inconceivable—they’ve given up their raises. Strasburg Borough’s ten employees including police, public works, and administrative assistants, agreed to forgo…

Media

Read More: Get Ready to Be Amazed

Health Care

Pelosi Explains the Health Care Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2010

In a speech in Pittsburgh to the “Women of Steel”, which includes the Steelworkers union, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and Supergirl, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi outlined what…

Media

Read More: Pelosi Explains the Health Care Bill

Taxes & Economy

Dear Gas Companies: Please Pay for Our Water Park

  • October 20, 2010

Next time you hear groups like PennFuture whining about the Growing Greener boondoggle stash running low, keep in mind that it funds projects like this one…

Media

Read More: Dear Gas Companies: Please Pay for Our Water Park

Taxes & Economy

They’re Laughing at Our Low Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2010

The Patriot News has an editorial today claiming Pennsylvania needs to enact a natural gas severance tax so that other states stop laughing at us. No really, states with…

Media

Read More: They’re Laughing at Our Low Taxes

Government Accountability

Not-so-Effective Tax Credit Programs

  • October 19, 2010

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee issued a new report on the utilization and accountability of Pennsylvania’s tax credit programs. The report looks at everything from the Research and…

Media

Read More: Not-so-Effective Tax Credit Programs

Taxes & Economy

Agriculture Still Isn’t Number One

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2010

Lowman Henry leads off a recent commentary with the legend that Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s “number one industry” and employs nearly one million workers. Readers will recall that this is…

Media

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Regulation

Harrisburg’s Woes: Coming to a City Near You

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 19, 2010

Gov. Rendell's recent state bailout of the city of Harrisburg has brought attention to the capital city's fiscal mismanagement. With millions in debt payments and an enormous pension obligation, Harrisburg's…

Commentary

Read More: Harrisburg’s Woes: Coming to a City Near You

Health Care

More Side Effects of Obamacare

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 18, 2010

Every day it seems we are hearing more bad news about the effects of the new health care reform law. From rising premiums to narrowing coverage, the side effects…

Media

Read More: More Side Effects of Obamacare

Regulation

Federal Cash for State Budget Cuts?

  • October 18, 2010

In an Investors Business Daily piece this summer, Nicole Gelinas puts forward an interesting idea about how to stimulate the economy, and at the same time cut back on…

Media

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Regulation

Recap of the Pennsylvania Senate’s Busy Week

  • October 15, 2010

The PA State Senate had a busy week, all leading up to some key votes that took place yesterday. We have been closely following several bills and unfortunately a…

Media

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Regulation

RAMPing Up PA Liquor Control Board’s Monopoly Power

  • October 15, 2010

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the largest supplier of alcohol in the world, recently enacted regulations to become the sole provider of its now-mandated educational program for Pennsylvania businesses, the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Dear Gas Companies: Replenish Our Slush Fund

  • October 13, 2010

Among PennFuture’s justifications for demanding a natural gas tax, as Katrina mentioned earlier, is that Pennsylvania’s “Growing Greener” funding “has all been spent.” Since the program…

Media

Read More: Dear Gas Companies: Replenish Our Slush Fund

Regulation

How HB 2497 Costs Taxpayers $67 Billion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 13, 2010

A supporter writes, saying he called his state Senator about HB 2497, and the lawmaker told him the bill would “save money.” As we’ve…

Media

Read More: How HB 2497 Costs Taxpayers $67 Billion

Taxes & Economy

PennFuture Will Say Anything to Get a Gas Tax

  • October 13, 2010

Here’s a letter to the editor I submitted in response to inflammatory claims made by PennFuture’s Jan Jarret and AFL-CIO’s Richard Bloomingdale about a severance tax: A recent editorial…

Media

Read More: PennFuture Will Say Anything to Get a Gas Tax