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
Regulation
Cigarette Taxes Increase Crime
Our friends at the Mackinac Center have released a study on the smuggling of cigarettes due to high cigarette taxes. While politicians often tout raising taxes as a tool to…
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Read More: Cigarette Taxes Increase CrimeRegulation
Private Liquor Stores: A Reason for Cheers
As many Pennsylvanians are heading to their local state liquor store to pick up holiday cheer, there are three things they won't be celebrating: Higher costs, less selection and lower…
Commentary
Read More: Private Liquor Stores: A Reason for CheersHealth Care
Medicaid: A State Budget Buster
Medicaid is gobbling up state budgets left and right, and Pennsylvania is no exception. State Medicaid costs from 2014 through 2020 are estimated to increase by $841.2…
Media
Read More: Medicaid: A State Budget BusterRegulation
How Many State Liquor Stores Should Pennsylvania Have?
Ben Waxman of the Philadelphia Daily News raises an interesting question about liquor privatization. Noting public support for liquor privatization, he posits whether it would be better to…
Media
Read More: How Many State Liquor Stores Should Pennsylvania Have?Taxes & Economy
Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy Failure
In 2001, Mayor Vera Katz promised Portland, Ore. would acquire 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010. Today, only nine percent of Portland’s energy comes from renewables. What…
Media
Read More: Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy FailureState Budget
Why PA State Debt is “So Low”?
Yesterday, during his mid-year budget briefing, Gov. Rendell repeated his claims that Pennsylvania state debt is pretty low, less than $1,000 per resident, and much lower (relative to state GDP)…
Media
Read More: Why PA State Debt is “So Low”?Regulation
Did Lawmakers Fix the Pension Mess?
Joe DiStefano of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that State Representative (and PSERS Board member) Dwight Evans claims no further pension reform is needed. Evans is hardly dealing with reality.
Media
Read More: Did Lawmakers Fix the Pension Mess?Taxes & Economy
The “Fair Share” Canard
Tonight, I’ll be on WITF’s Smart Talk to discuss why jobs aren’t coming back quicker and if we should allow tax rates to increase (i.e., allow the Bush tax…
Media
Read More: The “Fair Share” CanardTaxes & Economy
Pipeline to Nowhere is Dead
In November, the PennVEST board, heavily pressured by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), approved an almost $12 million taxpayer-funded grant and loan to pay for a water line…
Media
Read More: Pipeline to Nowhere is DeadRegulation
New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor Stores
Released today, the Quinnipiac University poll shows that 66 percent of Pennsylvania voters support selling state liquor stores—a rise from the 50 percent reported by a F&M poll…
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Read More: New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor StoresState Budget
The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s Rainbow
These days it's hard enough for Pennsylvania families to think about meeting their obligations let alone piling on more debt. But that's exactly what outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell did this…
Commentary
Read More: The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s RainbowTaxes & Economy
Facts Not Fear For Drilling Issue
Below is my guest opinion published in the Lebanon Daily News today, which confronts a misleading letter to the editor addressing gas drilling. After reading Joyce Kunkle’s Dec.
Media
Read More: Facts Not Fear For Drilling IssueTaxes & Economy
I Got Your Energy Security Right Here
The Toronto Globe and Mail yesterday reported how vast discoveries of new North American energy sources could “reflect the beginning of the end for U.S. dependence on Mideast…
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Read More: I Got Your Energy Security Right HereGovernment Accountability
Legislators Refuse COLA Increase
Despite the fact that Pennsylvania faces a projected budget deficit of $5 billion, legislators in Harrisburg will receive their annual cost of living adjustment (COLA), aka pay raise. Based…
Media
Read More: Legislators Refuse COLA IncreaseGovernment Accountability
Lawsuit Lottery Must End
Upon taking office in January, Governor-elect Tom Corbett will face the burden of addressing the numerous economic and fiscal problems facing the Keystone State. One of the most pervasive is…
Commentary
Read More: Lawsuit Lottery Must EndTaxes & Economy
Do you know the drill?
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
Read More: Do you know the drill?Regulation
Supremes Say Grocery Store Suds Sales Sanctioned
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 SanctionedTaxes & Economy
Super Rendell Finds Bailout For Failing Port Authority
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 AuthorityGovernment Accountability
Best Legislative Session Ever?
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…
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Read More: Best Legislative Session Ever?Taxes & Economy
How Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs
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…
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Read More: How Green Jobs Destroy Good JobsTaxes & Economy
Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?
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?