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
Taxes & Economy
Video: Welfare Fraud
CF Research Associate Elizabeth Stelle gives testimony on welfare fraud and abuse in Pennsylvania in this latest video, courtesy the PA House Republican Policy Committee. You…
Media
Read More: Video: Welfare FraudTaxes & Economy
Amish Carrots, Corporate Sticks
Ten days ago the New York Times reported how Amish farmers are being encouraged by environmental bureaucrats and activist groups to clean up the way they farm: For…
Media
Read More: Amish Carrots, Corporate SticksTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Reports Two Years Overdue
In 2004, Pennsylvania passed the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS). Part of this legislation ordered the PUC to publish annual reports evaluating the AEPS, yet the PUC…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Reports Two Years OverdueGovernment Accountability
Rendell Requests Another Federal Bailout
Gov. Ed Rendell is at it again, lobbying the federal government for “Stimulus 4” (following the 2008 Bush stimulus, the 2009 Obama stimulus, and the 2010 “jobs bill”) demanding another…
Media
Read More: Rendell Requests Another Federal BailoutState Budget
More Tricks to Balance the PA Budget?
Rumors are circulating the state capitol that Pennsylvania lawmakers will take money out of the Tobacco Settlement Fund to balance this year’s state budget. This is not only a…
Media
Read More: More Tricks to Balance the PA Budget?Taxes & Economy
Why are PA Roads so Bad?
Some of my friends and I like to take road trips to and through the states that border PA. One of the jokes we always make is, “You can tell…
Media
Read More: Why are PA Roads so Bad?Government Accountability
PA Teacher Unions Endorse Reduced Pension Benefits, Deferring Contributions
An amendment to the pension deferral bill in the Pennsylvania House would reduce the retirement benefits for new state and school employees, but would continue Gov. Rendell’s proposed…
Media
Read More: PA Teacher Unions Endorse Reduced Pension Benefits, Deferring ContributionsGovernment Accountability
Tort Reform Opponents: “Let Us Eat Cake”
This month the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) released its U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2010 Report chronicling the critical condition of tort, one facet of America’s law system. Pennsylvania shuffles…
Media
Read More: Tort Reform Opponents: “Let Us Eat Cake”Regulation
Rendell’s $52 Billion Pension “Reform”
Gov. Rendell and the Democrat-controlled House are trying to redefine pension "reform" by further deferring the scheduled taxpayers' contributions to the state's largest government pension plans - the Public School…
Commentary
Read More: Rendell’s $52 Billion Pension “Reform”Government Accountability
Why Every Teacher Should Stop Paying PSEA Dues
A couple of stories about Pennsylvania’s pension crisis reveal some crazy talk (HT Grassroots PA). First, in an article covering some proposed reforms, Gov. Rendell claims gambling will…
Media
Read More: Why Every Teacher Should Stop Paying PSEA DuesTaxes & Economy
Hey, PennFuture: Return Your BP Money
In today’s Washington Times, the husband-and-wife team of David and Amy Ridenour at the National Center for Public Policy Research make the case that nonprofit organizations and…
Media
Read More: Hey, PennFuture: Return Your BP MoneyRegulation
Are Pennsylvania Taxes “Money Well Spent?”
Gov. Rendell proposes balancing the state budget with a combination of new and higher taxes, another federal bailout, and additional state borrowing. When confronted by opposition to additional taxes on…
Commentary
Read More: Are Pennsylvania Taxes “Money Well Spent?”Taxes & Economy
Economics is Funky
In discussing a natural gas severance tax, Patriot News reporter-columnist Laura Vescey makes fun of the fundamental economic principle that companies…
Media
Read More: Economics is FunkyTaxes & Economy
PA Senators Effectively Support Job-Killing Cap & Trade
Last week, the United States Senate voted on legislation that would have stopped the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, 53 Senators, including Pennsylvania’s Casey and Specter, voted…
Media
Read More: PA Senators Effectively Support Job-Killing Cap & TradeGovernment Accountability
Budget Ideas for PA from Other States
The April 2010 edition of the Inside ALEC newsletter has a number of ideas Pennsylvania lawmakers should look at to balance the state budget, and for long-term fiscal reform.
Media
Read More: Budget Ideas for PA from Other StatesRegulation
Babies Buying Beer?
Those who profit from Pennsylvania’s current liquor distribution monopoly have an ongoing campaign to stop liquor store privatization. One ad shows a man at a gas pump looking at cases…
Media
Read More: Babies Buying Beer?State Budget
Severance Tax Wish List
Legislators are justifying the enactment of a natural gas severance tax by claiming the revenue will go towards environmental impacts. In reality, the environment is just one of a host…
Media
Read More: Severance Tax Wish ListRegulation
Green Jobs and the Broken Window Fallacy
On behalf of the Commonwealth Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg, we would like to thank Chairman Saylor and the members of the…
Testimony
Read More: Green Jobs and the Broken Window FallacyPublic Union Democracy
Are Government Workers Underpaid?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a new report showing state and local government workers earn far more than their private sector counterparts. The Wall Street Journal…
Media
Read More: Are Government Workers Underpaid?Regulation
Ethics of Tobacco Advisory Committee Goes Up in Smoke
Several groups have requested investigation of, or filed ethics complaints against, members of the FDA’s new Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). Identified in March 2010, the TPSAC’s…
Media
Read More: Ethics of Tobacco Advisory Committee Goes Up in SmokeState Budget
National Groups Weigh in on Pennsylvania Tax Hike
The National Taxpayers Union send a recent letter to Pennsylvania lawmakers on proposed tax hikes to balance the PA state budget. John Stephenson, NTU…
Media
Read More: National Groups Weigh in on Pennsylvania Tax Hike