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.

Regulation

13 Reasons to Oppose HB 2497

  • November 12, 2010

Pennsylvania's largest public pension plans—Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and State Employees Retirement System (SERS)—are severely underfunded.  But instead of reforming the defined-benefit pension system and paying down these…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 13 Reasons to Oppose HB 2497

Government Accountability

Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2010

Dear CF Friend, We’ve just learned that the Pennsylvania House will be returning on Monday for a lame duck session, and will likely vote on a union…

Media

Read More: Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension Bailout

Government Accountability

Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA House

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 10, 2010

Today, Speaker McCall called the Pennsylvania House back into voting session on November 15th. Members are expected to vote a couple of key pieces of legislation including the ill-conceived…

Media

Read More: Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA House

Regulation

Privatizing State Liquor Stores is a Real Possibility

  • November 10, 2010

After years of discussion, it appears the tides have finally turned in favor of privatizing Pennsylvania’s liquor stores. With a newly GOP controlled legislature, support for the policy is…

Media

Read More: Privatizing State Liquor Stores is a Real Possibility

Taxes & Economy

PennVEST Approves the Pipeline to Nowhere

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 10, 2010

Yesterday, the PennVEST board met in a crowded room and voted to approve an “emergency application” to construct a 12-mile pipeline to about 14 homes with a $11.7 million taxpayer-funded…

Media

Read More: PennVEST Approves the Pipeline to Nowhere

State Budget

Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You Think

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 10, 2010

When a lot of folks, both media and pundits, talk about the Pennsylvania state budget, and the fiscal crisis facing Governor-elect Tom Corbett, they mention a…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You Think

Regulation

The New Food Justice Agenda

  • November 9, 2010

The food police are coming to Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education is considering new nutrition guidelines for events at public schools, which would mean the end…

Media

Read More: The New Food Justice Agenda

Taxes & Economy

Fracking Panel Candidate Misses Mark

  • November 9, 2010

Here’s a letter I wrote that ran in the Indiana Gazette today, giving perspective to Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania. To the Editor, After reading the news article,…

Media

Read More: Fracking Panel Candidate Misses Mark

Taxes & Economy

Message from Voters in 2010 is Same as Message in 2006

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 9, 2010

Former Politics PA, now National Journal reporter Alex Roarty asks (via a re-tweet) whether there is any evidence that voters rejected Republicans in 2006 due to overspending. Luckily,…

Media

Read More: Message from Voters in 2010 is Same as Message in 2006

Taxes & Economy

Stop the Midnight Raid on PennVEST for a “Pipeline to Nowhere”

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 8, 2010

MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the General Assembly FROM:   Matthew J. Brouillette, President & CEO, Commonwealth Foundation DATE: November 8, 2010 RE: Stop Rendell/Hanger’s Midnight Raid on PennVEST…

Press Release

Read More: Stop the Midnight Raid on PennVEST for a “Pipeline to Nowhere”

Regulation

Pileggi Ignores Support for Real Pension Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2010

Here is a letter I sent to the West Chester Daily Local, responding to a piece by state Sen. Dominic Pileggi, which argues for passing a flawed pension bill now,…

Media

Read More: Pileggi Ignores Support for Real Pension Reform

Regulation

Corbett’s Challenge

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2010

As Tom Corbett prepares for his move into the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion, he must be realizing the magnitude of what he is about to undertake: the governorship of a state…

Commentary

Read More: Corbett’s Challenge

Regulation

Defending State Pensions with Misinformation

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 4, 2010

A guest editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer defends HB2497—the pension deferral plan, by mischaracterizing its impact on the taxpayers and the economy. One myth is that a defined-benefit plan…

Media

Read More: Defending State Pensions with Misinformation

Government Accountability

State Policies Sink Cities

  • November 3, 2010

Third-class cities (defined by population) in Pennsylvania, such as Lancaster, are hoping Governor-elect Tom Corbett will push legislation giving cities more autonomy from the state. The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce…

Media

Read More: State Policies Sink Cities

Taxes & Economy

PA DEP Reports Drilling Is Not Polluting the Air

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 3, 2010

In recent months, there has been much talk over air quality in areas with heavy Marcellus Shale drilling. Some have claimed drilling operations release enough chemicals into the air to…

Media

Read More: PA DEP Reports Drilling Is Not Polluting the Air

Education

Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway Government

  • November 3, 2010

HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement regarding yesterday’s general election: “Yesterday, millions of Pennsylvanians collectively hit the brakes on runaway government…

Press Release

Read More: Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway Government

Government Accountability

Do We Spend Too Much on Politics?

  • November 1, 2010

Recent estimates put spending on midterm campaigns at over $3.6 billion nationally. That’s enough to buy 7.2 million I-pads, or roughly one dollar for every thousand spent by government.

Media

Read More: Do We Spend Too Much on Politics?

Regulation

Union Pension Bailout & Generational Theft

  • November 1, 2010

Pennsylvania's largest public pension plans—Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and State Employees Retirement System (SERS)—are severely underfunded. But instead of reforming the defined-benefit pension system and paying down these…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Union Pension Bailout & Generational Theft

Health Care

A Free Market in Health Care?!?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 1, 2010

A commenter on our latest Policy Points on Health Care Reform describes health care as “the free market, unregulated situation at the time the Act was passed.” I’m not…

Media

Read More: A Free Market in Health Care?!?