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.

Energy

Energy 101

  • September 5, 2010

Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

PennFuture’s Revised Lobbying Numbers

  • September 3, 2010

After ranting about alleged “egregious errors” in our report about their secret, unreported lobbying expenses and siccing their lawyer on us, PennFuture has…

Media

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Regulation

CF Study Helps Liquor Privatization Cause in Virginia

  • September 3, 2010

In order to drum up support for liquor store privatization in Virginia, Gov. Robert McDonnell is using the Commonwealth Foundation report Government-Run Liquor Stores to show that moving…

Media

Read More: CF Study Helps Liquor Privatization Cause in Virginia

Government Accountability

A Slap in the Face to Pennsylvania Taxpayers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 2, 2010

The Tribune Review revisits the Rendell Administration’s leasing tens of thousands of acres of state forest lands via no-bid contracts. State records the Tribune-Review obtained show that, in…

Media

Read More: A Slap in the Face to Pennsylvania Taxpayers

Taxes & Economy

Dan Onorato’s Natural Gas Tax

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 2, 2010

Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Onorato held a press conference yesterday announcing he supports a tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania (and that he kinda-sorta opposes other tax…

Media

Read More: Dan Onorato’s Natural Gas Tax

Taxes & Economy

PA Unemployment Fraud Adding to Already-Bankrupt System

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 1, 2010

As PA Independent reports today, Pennsylvania had $374 million in overpayments for Unemployment Compensation (UC) last year, including $227 million in fraudulent claims, according to the US Department of…

Media

Read More: PA Unemployment Fraud Adding to Already-Bankrupt System

Taxes & Economy

Solar Subsidies Sink State

  • September 1, 2010

Harrisburg, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation expresses its displeasure with Gov. Rendell’s pronouncement today of awarding more taxpayer funds for solar energy projects and advocating an increase in a mandate…

Press Release

Read More: Solar Subsidies Sink State

Taxes & Economy

Should Higher Taxes be a “Priority”?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 1, 2010

Here is a letter I sent the Patriot News on a natural gas jobs tax: Your August 31 editorial states that a natural gas tax should be the…

Media

Read More: Should Higher Taxes be a “Priority”?

Taxes & Economy

PPL’s Distribution Rate Increase and Electric Choice

  • August 31, 2010

Earlier this year, we put out an electricity guide for citizens and businesses explaining why electricty rates were increasing, and how Pennsylvanians can to shop for the best…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Coal Faces an Onslaught of New Regulations

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 31, 2010

Debate over new regulations by the EPA puts the Pennsylvania coal industry at a crossroads. Last week, experts met in Philadelphia to discuss a new ruling known as the Clean…

Media

Read More: Coal Faces an Onslaught of New Regulations

Taxes & Economy

The Imagined Effect of the Stimulus

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 31, 2010

Louis Woodhill writes on Real Clear Markets how the CBO’s estimated impact of the stimulus is a fantasy. In fact, the CBO readily admits it is simply plugging…

Media

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Energy

Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 31, 2010

Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…

Commentary

Read More: Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy

Regulation

Understanding PSERS’ Gains

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 30, 2010

Pennsylvania’s pension fund for school employees, PSERS, reported significant gains in the past year — a 14% return on investment. This is higher than the national average, and nearly…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvanians Have Good Reasons to Oppose Higher Fuel Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 30, 2010

Grove City College economist Tracy Miller explains why Pennsylvania drivers are resistant to a higher gasoline tax. In contrast to prior periods when the tax was viewed as a…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Have Good Reasons to Oppose Higher Fuel Taxes

Taxes & Economy

Municipalities Gain Authority to Regulate Drilling

  • August 30, 2010

Previously, local municipalities could not impose restrictions on gas drilling separate from those required by the state. However, several Pennsylvania court decisions have begun to give local officials additional regulatory…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Had Enough Skewed Polls from Gov. Rendell Yet?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 27, 2010

Ed Rendell’s “campaign” financed a new poll which was then given to the Governor’s Office to distribute, as well as to the propaganda arm of DEP and a…

Media

Read More: Had Enough Skewed Polls from Gov. Rendell Yet?

Health Care

Insurance Hypocrisy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 27, 2010

I saw a commercial during an episode of Jeopardy from the Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority. It warns people against trying to buy car insurance after an accident…

Media

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Education

Gov. Rendell’s Gamesmanship

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 27, 2010

While table games have been in Pennsylvania casinos for more than a month, I don't know if Gov. Rendell has tried his luck. But it would be a safe wager…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

The U.S. ‘Jobs Spill’

  • August 26, 2010

Today the American Energy Alliance released a video about how tax policies on U.S. energy development drive jobs overseas. Included in the piece is…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Turnpike Commission, PennDOT Fight Over Their Spoils

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 26, 2010

The Patriot News today reports that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) and the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are arguing over how much money the PTC has to pay…

Media

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State Budget

Why Lawmakers Don’t (And Shouldn’t) Raise Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 26, 2010

Terry Madonna and Michael Young have a new column asking why Pennsylvania lawmakers are so loath to raise taxes: This response differs dramatically from past practice. Throughout most…

Media

Read More: Why Lawmakers Don’t (And Shouldn’t) Raise Taxes