Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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.
Related Issues
State Budget
PA Relies on Federal Bailout of Unemployment Fund
A tsunami of debt is scheduled to hit the state in the next two years. One aspect, the pension bomb, has been well publicized, but the $3 billion in…
Media
Read More: PA Relies on Federal Bailout of Unemployment FundTaxes & Economy
Excessive Government Spending Weighs Down the Economy
In the midst of economic turmoil, much like we have seen recently, many politicians believe that government spending needs to increase. But is increased government spending truly beneficial to the…
Media
Read More: Excessive Government Spending Weighs Down the EconomyTaxes & Economy
Penn State Fronts for GE
The New York Times reports today that companies are responding to new rules on earmark bans for private business by either setting up their own nonprofits, or…
Media
Read More: Penn State Fronts for GEGovernment Accountability
I&R Makes Way for Liquor Store Privatization in WA
Washington, one of 24 states that enjoy initiative and referendum – a reform that allows citizens to place issues on the ballot – is expecting its November election…
Media
Read More: I&R Makes Way for Liquor Store Privatization in WARegulation
PA Taxpayers to Build Specter Library, Murtha Center
Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire (subscription) reports today that the line items from the RACP legislation ($600 million in borrowing for corporate welfare, included as part of the budget deal),…
Media
Read More: PA Taxpayers to Build Specter Library, Murtha CenterGovernment Accountability
Can We Get Some Transparency in the Budget?
The delay to include the proposed Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) is just legislators’ latest attempt to resist the transparency and accountability legislation Pennsylvanians deserve. According to John Micek at…
Media
Read More: Can We Get Some Transparency in the Budget?Regulation
Credit to be Offered at PA Casinos
Last week, the Gaming Control Board approved regulations for “casino credit.” Now patrons can effectively take out a loan of credit to play table games and slots, with no…
Media
Read More: Credit to be Offered at PA CasinosGovernment Accountability
Will the Budget Include an Independent Fiscal Office?
With much to jeer in this year’s budget one silver lining is the proposed Independent Fiscal Office. That is, if House Democrats don’t kill the proposal. Language to create…
Media
Read More: Will the Budget Include an Independent Fiscal Office?Education
Penn State Clears “Award-Winning” Mann in Climategate
Unsurprisingly, Penn State’s second investigation into its own faculty member, Michael Mann, cleared him of any scientific misconduct charges today. Among the reasons for clearing Mann, the report notes:…
Media
Read More: Penn State Clears “Award-Winning” Mann in ClimategateRegulation
Another Budget Trick Revealed
During our PA Budget Chat yesterday, we were commenting on how the the line item for School Employees’ Retirement – i.e., the state’s contribution to teacher’s pensions – was…
Media
Read More: Another Budget Trick RevealedTaxes & Economy
Wind Power May Kill You
With the recent fatalities resulting from disasters at the Deep Water Horizon drilling rig and Massey’s Upper Big Branch coal mine, many may begin to think that such…
Media
Read More: Wind Power May Kill YouState Budget
PA Senate Passes State Budget
Today, the the Pennsylvania Senate passed the state budget by a vote of 37-13. The no votes were: Alloway, Argall, Earll, Eichelberger,…
Media
Read More: PA Senate Passes State BudgetState Budget
Ten Facts about the PA Budget Deal
Legislative leaders and Gov. Rendell reached an agreement on a PA state budget deal yesterday. Here are some facts about the $28.05 billion new spending plan: Lawmakers were able…
Media
Read More: Ten Facts about the PA Budget DealTaxes & Economy
2010 Budget Deal Fails to Plan for Future
Harrisburg, PA – Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette released the following statement in response to the announced Pennsylvania state budget deal: “It’s difficult to negotiate a sane budget…
Press Release
Read More: 2010 Budget Deal Fails to Plan for FutureEducation
Politics Making a Mess of Education
It appears Gov. Rendell has succeeded in getting an increase in education spending for the FY 2010-11 budget. Despite the fact that enrollment is down across the Commonwealth…
Media
Read More: Politics Making a Mess of EducationRegulation
Privatizing Workers’ Compensation
Leonard Gilroy of the Reason Foundation recently highlighted the trend to privatize workers’ compensation. Some of the experimentation occurring in West Virginia, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Arizona began before…
Media
Read More: Privatizing Workers’ CompensationRegulation
Pennsylvania Budget Facts 2010: Corporate Taxes
The Commonwealth has the second highest state corporate income tax (behind Iowa, which has more generous deductions and exemptions). When compounding state and federal corporate taxes, Pennsylvania's corporate income tax…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Facts 2010: Corporate TaxesEducation
Pennsylvania Education Spending
Pennsylvania's education spending increased from $4 billion in 1980 to over $25 billion in 2009-a 133% increase in per-pupil spending, after adjusting for inflation. School construction and debt spending has…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Education SpendingRegulation
Allentown & the Failure of Sports Venue Subsidies
The $80 million taxpayer-funded hockey arena in Allentown will have to wait a couple years, as in addition to the stadium, it requires a multi-million new highway. Allentown is…
Media
Read More: Allentown & the Failure of Sports Venue SubsidiesGovernment Accountability
PA Senate Commission IDs Spending Cuts
In February, the Senate established a bipartisan commission to identify cost-savings measure for the Pennsylvania state budget could save money. David Argall, the chairman of…
Media
Read More: PA Senate Commission IDs Spending CutsState Budget
Latest PA Budget Update from Sen. Pileggi
PA Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi was the speaker at today’s Press Club in Harrisburg, offering some updates on the budget negotiations, and some comments on the fiscal cliff Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Latest PA Budget Update from Sen. Pileggi