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.

State Budget

Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. Congress

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 29, 2010

Government debt and wasteful spending is a constant subject on PolicyBlog and is playing a large part in this year’s elections. But one thing that isn’t so common is two…

Media

Read More: Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. Congress

Health Care

Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 29, 2010

Here is an email I sent to FactCheck.org: Your recent article claims insurance premiums won’t go up. Are you kidding? Simple economics, or the experience of states like…

Media

Read More: Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?

Taxes & Economy

Rendell is Still Governor, I’m Still Fact-Checking

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 28, 2010

Gov. Rendell, being bored because he can’t campaign for re-election, held another press conference, probably his four thousandth this month, to discuss the Tax Foundation’s new Business Tax Climate…

Media

Read More: Rendell is Still Governor, I’m Still Fact-Checking

Taxes & Economy

Citizens Reject “Pipeline to Nowhere”

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 28, 2010

A couple of weeks ago we blogged about DEP Secretary Hanger’s plan to build a $12 million, 12 mile water line from Montrose to Dimock to serve about 14…

Media

Read More: Citizens Reject “Pipeline to Nowhere”

Taxes & Economy

Newt Says No Natural Gas Tax in PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 27, 2010

Yesterday, John Micek reported that Newt Gingrich expressed support for a natural gas severance tax in Pennsylvania, writing, “even Mr. Republican Revolution his ownself thinks the state should have…

Media

Read More: Newt Says No Natural Gas Tax in PA

Regulation

It’s Never Sunny for Philadelphia’s Small Businesses

  • October 27, 2010

The Institute for Justice (IJ), in its new report, No Brotherly Love for Entrepreneurs, depicts just how bad the small business climate in Philadelphia has become. The city has…

Media

Read More: It’s Never Sunny for Philadelphia’s Small Businesses

Taxes & Economy

State Business Tax Climate Index 2011

  • October 27, 2010

Yesterday, the Tax Foundation released its 2011 State Business Tax Climate Index. The study looks at five important tax areas: corporate taxes, individual income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes,…

Media

Read More: State Business Tax Climate Index 2011

Health Care

Health Care Reform: An Update

  • October 27, 2010

Before enacting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Congress had to pass the bill before we'd find out what's in…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Health Care Reform: An Update

Energy

Never Enough Green for Renewable Energy

  • October 27, 2010

According to Pennsylvania's Public Utilities Commission, the annual cost of ownership for solar energy per kilowatt-hour is over 700% more than the cost of coal, and wind energy is almost…

Commentary

Read More: Never Enough Green for Renewable Energy

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

Read More: Rendell’s Legacy of Spending

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

Read More: Cities and their Bankrupt Pension Plans

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

Read More: Agriculture Still Isn’t Number One