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.

Taxes & Economy

Coming to Philly: ‘Brilliance’

  • August 4, 2010

PennFuture and other climate catastrophists are promoting a fall global warming conference in Philadelphia, and they’ve invited the unintentionally amusing Bill…

Media

Read More: Coming to Philly: ‘Brilliance’

Taxes & Economy

Fact Check: Oil Companies Profits Tax

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 4, 2010

For claiming he’s “not a crazy tax guy”, Gov. Rendell sure does propose a lot of new taxes. His latest plan regurgitates his 2007 idea to tax Big…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: Oil Companies Profits Tax

Health Care

Missouri Voters Reject Obamacare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 4, 2010

Last night, Missouri voters passed Proposition C. The initiative would prevent the state from enforcing any mandate on individuals to buy health insurance. The measure was opposed by every…

Media

Read More: Missouri Voters Reject Obamacare

Regulation

Will Philadelphia Drop DROP?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 4, 2010

Virtually everyone knows that Deferred Retirement Option Plans (DROP) are costly – at least those who know what it is – but now the City of Philadelphia has some hard…

Media

Read More: Will Philadelphia Drop DROP?

Taxes & Economy

More Sparks Fly in PennFuture Scandal

  • August 3, 2010

It’s been amusing to watch the defenders of PennFuture “fire” their pop-guns on the editorial pages of the Patriot-News since our report about their hypocritical and…

Media

Read More: More Sparks Fly in PennFuture Scandal

Education

Philly Superintendent’s $65K Bonus Criteria Released

  • August 3, 2010

Welcome to part two on Philadelphia school Superintendent Arlene Ackerman’s bonus. (If you missed “Unethical Philly Superintendent Leeching Taxpayers Dry,” click here.) The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that, though…

Media

Read More: Philly Superintendent’s $65K Bonus Criteria Released

Regulation

DEP is Successfully Regulating Gas Drilling

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 3, 2010

Environmental drilling opponents have jumped all over a new report by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association identifying almost 1,500 violations by 43 Marcellus Shale drilling companies by the PA…

Media

Read More: DEP is Successfully Regulating Gas Drilling

Energy

Gas Fuels Growth

  • August 3, 2010

The national economy is in a slump, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and economic growth is being hampered by misguided policies. Meanwhile, Bradford County, Pennsylvania led the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in…

Commentary

Read More: Gas Fuels Growth

Taxes & Economy

Fact Check: PA Transportation Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 3, 2010

Gov. Rendell starts his “Tax You More” bus tour today, heading around Pennsylvania to call for more taxes to fill the “transportation funding crisis”. Here are some facts…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: PA Transportation Spending

Government Accountability

Non-Competitive Contracts Don’t Compute

  • August 2, 2010

The PA Revenue Department’s main computer system was installed in 1975. The outdated system’s technological language, COBOL, is not even taught in universities anymore, narrowing the number of applicants…

Media

Read More: Non-Competitive Contracts Don’t Compute

State Budget

What Happens to PA Budget without FMAP Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 2, 2010

Gov. Rendell is supposed to meet with lawmakers today to discuss options if Congress doesn’t approve the $850 million in federal FMAP funds. Pete DeCoursey (subscription) breaks down the…

Media

Read More: What Happens to PA Budget without FMAP Money

Taxes & Economy

Physics Supports Fracking Safety

  • July 30, 2010

When the head of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Oil and Gas Management says, There has never been any evidence of fracking ever causing direct contamination…

Media

Read More: Physics Supports Fracking Safety

Taxes & Economy

Tough Questions for Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

  • July 29, 2010

The PA Turnpike Commission (PTC) testified before the Senate Transportation Committee during this summer’s special session on transportation funding. Most senators on the committee expressed concern on several aspects regarding…

Media

Read More: Tough Questions for Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Taxes & Economy

Lancaster Co. Human Relations Commission

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 29, 2010

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this issue.  My name is Nate Benefield, I am Director of Policy Research with the Commonwealth Foundation in Harrisburg. We are a…

Testimony

Read More: Lancaster Co. Human Relations Commission

Education

More on Government Jobs in Recession

  • July 29, 2010

The Rockefeller Institute of Government recently analyzed a Bureau of Labor Statistics report on jobs at this point in the recession. The report finds that with 9.2% unemployment,…

Media

Read More: More on Government Jobs in Recession

State Budget

How to Reduce Welfare Fraud

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 28, 2010

Following Matt Brouillette’s commentary on whether Tom Corbett (should he win) can balance the budget and keep his ‘no tax’ pledge,…

Media

Read More: How to Reduce Welfare Fraud

Taxes & Economy

Corbett on Death Tax and Farmers

  • July 28, 2010

Governor hopeful, Tom Corbett, has voiced support for phasing out the state’s death tax. At a meeting organized by Farm Families for Tom Corbett and Pennsylvania Agricultural Republicans, Corbett cited…

Media

Read More: Corbett on Death Tax and Farmers

Taxes & Economy

Growing Money on Trees

  • July 28, 2010

In December 2009, the Pennsylvania Climate Change Advisory Committee (PCCAC), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS), released its report,…

Report

Read More: Growing Money on Trees

State Budget

What if State Government Hired a Psychic?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 28, 2010

The Tribune Review adds on to the continuing Orie sisters saga, that not only did they seek the advice of a clairvoyant, but that clairvoyant asked for a…

Media

Read More: What if State Government Hired a Psychic?

Regulation

Tax For Soccer

  • July 27, 2010

It’s not soccer players or fans that will be taxed to pay for the Major League Soccer stadium in Chester, but the visitors who patronize bed and breakfasts or hotels…

Media

Read More: Tax For Soccer

State Budget

Can Tom Corbett Keep His “No Tax” Pledge?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • July 27, 2010

Attorney General Tom Corbett has taken significant criticism for his pledge to not raise taxes if elected governor.  That was to be expected from his Democrat rival, Allegheny County executive…

Commentary

Read More: Can Tom Corbett Keep His “No Tax” Pledge?