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.

Health Care

Why Obama Can’t “Sell” the Health Care Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2010

The AP writes that President Obama blames himself for not “selling” the health care law — this despite giving dozens of speeches on the issue and spending millions…

Media

Read More: Why Obama Can’t “Sell” the Health Care Law

Taxes & Economy

All Is Not What It Appears to Be

  • September 23, 2010

Hey! Did you know that what is depicted in those nature documentaries is not always genuinely “in the wild?” It’s often set up in controlled circumstances, according to Chris Palmer,…

Media

Read More: All Is Not What It Appears to Be

Taxes & Economy

The Hail Mary for Solar Subsidies

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 23, 2010

Solar power advocates’ fight to triple the state’s costly solar energy mandates took a new turn this week. Proponents, including DEP Secretary Hanger and Governor Rendell, urged the…

Media

Read More: The Hail Mary for Solar Subsidies

State Budget

Being Tough on Crime Is Not Enough

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 22, 2010

With one in 28 Pennsylvanians in jail or prison, on probation, or on parole in 2007 — at the cost of more than $1.8 billion — Pennsylvania is at a…

Media

Read More: Being Tough on Crime Is Not Enough

Taxes & Economy

Video: Bradford County Residents Talk About a Natural Gas Tax

  • September 22, 2010

In this video, part of a forthcoming series on the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom in Pennsylvania, residents from Bradford County speak out about the proposed natural gas severance…

Media

Read More: Video: Bradford County Residents Talk About a Natural Gas Tax

Regulation

Film Tax Credits are Bad Economics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2010

Josh Barro of the Manhattan Institute hammers on film tax credits, which have been so popular among lawmakers in Pennsylvania and other states, who love when movie stars…

Media

Read More: Film Tax Credits are Bad Economics

Taxes & Economy

Video: Natural Gas Drilling Jobs

  • September 21, 2010

For our upcoming video series on the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom in Pennsylvania, Know the Drill, we visited Bradford County and spoke with local officials, rig workers, contractors, and…

Media

Read More: Video: Natural Gas Drilling Jobs

Taxes & Economy

Solar Claims Need Scrutiny

  • September 21, 2010

There’s nothing wrong with solar energy, but government officials (like Gov. Rendell and Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger) shouldn’t mislead the public to drum up support for taxpayer funding of…

Media

Read More: Solar Claims Need Scrutiny

Regulation

Privatizing Pittsburgh Parking

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2010

The Post-Gazette reports the highest bid for a lease of Pittsburgh’s public parking garages came in at $452 million, well above what was expected. While the city of Pittsburgh…

Media

Read More: Privatizing Pittsburgh Parking

Taxes & Economy

Odd Headline of the Day

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2010

CNN reports, “Stocks rally to 4-month highs after economists report recession ended in June 2009.” Three comments: Are you surprised to learn the recession ended 15 months…

Media

Read More: Odd Headline of the Day

Regulation

Marcellus Money Yields $88 Million Gift to Penn State

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2010

The Post-Gazette reports that Terry Pegula, who recently sold his company that was drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, donated $88 million to Penn State University to…

Media

Read More: Marcellus Money Yields $88 Million Gift to Penn State

Taxes & Economy

Citizens Scrimp As Government Spends

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 20, 2010

With grim economic statistics mounting both here in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, more and more of our fellow citizens are engaging in a collective belt-tightening. It is only our…

Commentary

Read More: Citizens Scrimp As Government Spends

Taxes & Economy

Survey of Marcellus Shale Residents

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 17, 2010

The Penn State Cooperative Extension has outlined findings from a survey of residents in the Marcellus Shale region (including New York, which still has a moratorium on drilling). The…

Media

Read More: Survey of Marcellus Shale Residents

Taxes & Economy

Which States are Stealing Pennsylvania Residents?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 17, 2010

The Tax Foundation has launched a new, awesome interactive tool that looks at IRS data, tracking moves into and out of each state. The bottom line for Pennsylvania is…

Media

Read More: Which States are Stealing Pennsylvania Residents?

Taxes & Economy

Constitution Day and the Perilous Future

  • September 17, 2010

On September 17, we celebrate the creation of our Constitution, one of the greatest governing documents ever conceived by the hand of man. This is the day we commemorate the…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

PA House Democrats Unveil Transportation Tax Plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 14, 2010

Today, the Pennsylvania House Democrats put forth their proposal to raise taxes for transportation projects, as reported by PA Independent, which also provides a detailed outline of the…

Media

Read More: PA House Democrats Unveil Transportation Tax Plan

State Budget

Rendell Starts State Bailout of Cities

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 13, 2010

Yesterday, Gov. Rendell announced a $4.3 million bailout for the city of Harrisburg. The city, following decades of wasteful spending on things like a Wild West Museum and owning…

Media

Read More: Rendell Starts State Bailout of Cities

Regulation

Pa. Lawmakers Must Solve Pension Crisis Now

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 13, 2010

Here is a great video editorial on the need for Pennsylvania lawmakers to address the pension crisis now, from WGAL president Paul Quinn.  …

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Green Jobs? You Can All Go To Shale

  • September 10, 2010

The Marcellus Shale Coalition (that’s the pro-drilling group made up of natural gas exploration and recovery companies) has come up with a great idea — their own…

Media

Read More: Green Jobs? You Can All Go To Shale