
Fairness
A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible
Originally published by Penn Live. We hate to say, “We told you so.” But when it comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) demanding another state bailout, we told…
Read More: A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is IrresponsibleEvery 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
Education
80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition. To provide a roadmap for…
Report
Read More: 80 Ideas for a Prosperous PennsylvaniaEducation
How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes
Even before Gov.-elect Tom Corbett raises his right hand high Tuesday swearing to tackle the problems left from the previous administration's tax-borrow-and-spend agenda, doubters are lining up to take potshots…
Commentary
Read More: How Corbett can Balance the Budget without Raising TaxesState Budget
Medicaid: Breaking the Back of State Budgets
Last week, 30 Republican governors and governors-elect, including Tom Corbett, sent a letter to the Obama administration and members of Congress asking for greater flexibility in managing their Medicaid…
Media
Read More: Medicaid: Breaking the Back of State BudgetsTaxes & Economy
Residents Still Moving out of PA
The latest United Van Lines survey continues to show Pennsylvania is a “high outbound state”—meaning more people are renting trucks to move out of Pennsylvania than moving in (HT…
Media
Read More: Residents Still Moving out of PARegulation
Rendell’s Last Round of Pork
Governor Rendell recently released his 2010 commitment list for RACP funds (subscription). The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, or RACP, is a taxpayer-funded state borrowing program for “economic…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Last Round of PorkRegulation
Lessons on Green Jobs & Corporate Welfare
My American Tradition Institute colleague Chris Horner calls attention to developments in Massachusetts, where government “investment” of taxpayer dollars in alternative energy…
Media
Read More: Lessons on Green Jobs & Corporate WelfareState Budget
Five Ways to Cut $5 Billion
Tom Corbett campaigned for Governor of Pennsylvania on a pledge not to raise taxes or fees to balance the state's $66 billion budget. With the loss of nearly $3 billion…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Five Ways to Cut $5 BillionHealth Care
Long-Term Care Reform
Long-term care is very expensive whether provided in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or in someone's home. Medicaid pays for most professional long-term care (LTC) in Pennsylvania. LTC…
Report
Read More: Long-Term Care ReformRegulation
Liquor Store Union Distorts Facts to Skew Poll
We received a forwarded email, in which the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1776 (the union for liquor store employees) called on members to vote in a PCN…
Media
Read More: Liquor Store Union Distorts Facts to Skew PollTaxes & Economy
Politics of Punditry Troubling in Tucson Tragedy
I knew it would be a challenging few days as I took off the tie and laced up my combat boots to proudly serve a training weekend with my National Guard unit. Friday…
Media
Read More: Politics of Punditry Troubling in Tucson TragedyState Budget
How to Limit State Spending
A recent study by Matthew Mitchell of the Mercatus Center suggests that not all spending and taxation limits are created equal. The study examines the effect of certain…
Media
Read More: How to Limit State SpendingRegulation
Joel Klein Gets the Public Pension Problem
Joel Klein has an excellent article on teacher pensions in today’s Wall Street Journal: Whether the investment returns are there or not, defined-benefit pensions require the government to…
Media
Read More: Joel Klein Gets the Public Pension ProblemTaxes & Economy
Mann: From Transparency Champion to ‘Bully’ Victim
As Chris Horner blogged yesterday, the Environmental Law Center at American Tradition Institute (where I am executive director) has requested under the state Freedom of Information…
Media
Read More: Mann: From Transparency Champion to ‘Bully’ VictimTaxes & Economy
New Poll Shows Gas Tax Popular in Areas without Drilling
The Tribune-Review released a poll today showing support for a natural gas tax jumped 40 percent since the May…
Media
Read More: New Poll Shows Gas Tax Popular in Areas without DrillingTaxes & Economy
Penn State’s Mann Under More Scrutiny
Also today Pennsylvania Independent reports that the American Tradition Institute, where I am executive director, has filed a Freedom of Information…
Media
Read More: Penn State’s Mann Under More ScrutinyRegulation
TastyKake: Continued Failure of Corporate Welfare
PA Independent reports that TastyKake, a corporation with operations in Philadelphia and Chester County, may have to liquidate. This despite a $32 million low-interest state loan (which is looking…
Media
Read More: TastyKake: Continued Failure of Corporate WelfareRegulation
Liquor Stores No Asset for Taxpayers
Today, the Philadelphia Daily News published a letter from the Commonwealth Foundation titled “For the state stores, there’s no rationale for holding on anymore,” in response to their…
Media
Read More: Liquor Stores No Asset for TaxpayersTaxes & Economy
A True Renewables Comparison
The Patriot-News over the weekend ran two letters to the editor in response to my op-ed that called for the Commonwealth’s new elected leadership to repeal…
Media
Read More: A True Renewables ComparisonEnergy
Gov., Legislature Should Repeal Costly Renewables Mandates
A lot can be spun from the results of the Nov. 2 elections, but one fact is uncontrovertible: Pennsylvanians are sick of centrally planned, highly regulated, gimmick-driven economic policy. It…
Commentary
Read More: Gov., Legislature Should Repeal Costly Renewables MandatesTaxes & Economy
Manning Up Isn’t For ‘Wusses’
As the old saying goes, “it takes one to know one,” and outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell, who has obviously spent more time analyzing the Philadelphia Eagles than bringing jobs back…
Media
Read More: Manning Up Isn’t For ‘Wusses’Taxes & Economy
Reverse Coercion Course
That’s what I wrote yesterday in an opinion piece for the Patriot-News, about Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, which requires utilities to purchase 18 percent of their electricity…
Media
Read More: Reverse Coercion Course