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.

State Budget

Yes, a Severance Tax Will Discourage Drilling

  • May 4, 2010

The Philadelphia Inquirer recently depicted Gov. Rendell as willing to compromise on a natural gas severance tax in Pennsylvania, asking the industry to accept a fair severance tax. In…

Media

Read More: Yes, a Severance Tax Will Discourage Drilling

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan

  • May 4, 2010

A macroeconomic study of Pennsylvania's Climate Action Plan, released earlier this month, promises impressive cost savings and job creation for the state, but the report was produced by a global…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan

State Budget

Big Brother Want Your Back Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 4, 2010

Pennsylvania’s latest Orwellian tax amnesty ad – with “We Know Who You Are” – has been making the rounds. Reason, Cato Institute, and Grassroots PA all blog…

Media

Read More: Big Brother Want Your Back Taxes

State Budget

Rendell vs. Rendell on New Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 3, 2010

Here is a quote from Gov. Rendell, from way back in February in his budget address, discussing the new taxes he was proposing: I want to be crystal clear…

Media

Read More: Rendell vs. Rendell on New Taxes

State Budget

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2010

  • May 3, 2010

With April collections in the book, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that state General Fund revenues are $1.1 billion below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2010

Taxes & Economy

Climate Change “Deniers” Protest in Pittsburgh

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 3, 2010

Yesterday, PennFuture welcomed Dr. Mann to Pittsburgh as part of the Experts and Heroes conference. As attendees munched on hummus and pita chips some “deniers” protested outside with…

Media

Read More: Climate Change “Deniers” Protest in Pittsburgh

Taxes & Economy

Transportation Special Session Survival Guide

  • May 3, 2010

Gov. Rendell has called a special session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to discuss transportation funding. Here are some resources on financing and managing Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Transportation Special Session Survival Guide

State Budget

Maybe Gov. Rendell Needs to Listen to Different Advisers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 3, 2010

Pennsylvania has a massive state budget hole, and it can be chalked up to one cause – listening to the wrong people. Gov. Rendell put his faith in folks at…

Media

Read More: Maybe Gov. Rendell Needs to Listen to Different Advisers

Taxes & Economy

PennFuture Pal Lets the Truth Out

  • April 29, 2010

Katrina Currie’s excellent posts during the last two weeks, which refuted PennFuture’s absurd claims about job creation and cost savings tied to alternative energy, as well…

Media

Read More: PennFuture Pal Lets the Truth Out

Regulation

Talking Liquor Store Privatization

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 29, 2010

Eric Boehm of PA Independent interviews state representative Mike Turzai on his proposal to privatize all state-owned liquor stores and auction off licenses.  Here is a story with…

Media

Read More: Talking Liquor Store Privatization

Health Care

Devasting Critique of New Health Care Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 28, 2010

John Goodman offers a fine summary of a devastating critique of ObamaCare, produced by … the Obama Administration: Health care costs will go up, not…

Media

Read More: Devasting Critique of New Health Care Law

Taxes & Economy

Natural Gas Taxes Across the States

  • April 28, 2010

Gov. Rendell and other advocates for a natural gas severance tax make the claim that Pennsylvania is the only major gas producing state not to impose this tax and therefore…

Media

Read More: Natural Gas Taxes Across the States

Taxes & Economy

Will Work Sharing Bill Save Jobs?

  • April 27, 2010

On Monday, the Pennsylvania House unanimously passed HB 2160, the “work-share” bill. The legislation is designed to encourage employers to reduce employees hours instead of laying off workers.

Media

Read More: Will Work Sharing Bill Save Jobs?

Taxes & Economy

PA Needs Infinity Dollars to Repair Roads

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 27, 2010

The Tribune Review has a story that transportation advocates are now claiming that Pennsylvania needs $3 billion in additional revenue per year just to keep roads and bridges up…

Media

Read More: PA Needs Infinity Dollars to Repair Roads

Regulation

Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”

  • April 27, 2010

Press-release economics has long been part of a political charade in which lawmakers use other people's money to fund their political gain. In Pennsylvania, agencies such as the Department of…

Commentary

Read More: Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”

Regulation

Environmental Victories or Taxpayer Liabilities?

  • April 26, 2010

The left leaning group, PennFuture, recently celebrated a number “Environmental Victories,” though Pennsylvania taxpayers have little to celebrate from the new mandates and regulations. Here are some of the things…

Media

Read More: Environmental Victories or Taxpayer Liabilities?

Regulation

Numbers Guy: Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products Overblown

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 26, 2010

The Wall Street Journal’s “Numbers Guy” takes a look at the effects of smokeless tobacco.  Many supporters of a tobacco tax use the argument that it would provide public…

Media

Read More: Numbers Guy: Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products Overblown

Education

Some Educating Research on Education

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 23, 2010

I’m a little behind on my reading – hence I am going through two editions of the quarterly journal Education Next. Nonetheless, there are a number of interesting and informative…

Media

Read More: Some Educating Research on Education

Taxes & Economy

Climate Debate Fact Check

  • April 22, 2010

During a climate change policy debate between CF’s Matt Brouillette and PennFuture’s Jan Jarrett, Jarrett gave the audience some misleading statements which I think should be addressed. First, Jarrett…

Media

Read More: Climate Debate Fact Check

Taxes & Economy

Re: Hide the Decline, Part Doh!

  • April 22, 2010

On Tuesday I posted about Minnesotans for Global Warming’s new parody video about Climategate hockey stick scientist Michael Mann, from Penn State. Yesterday YouTube removed the video allegedly because…

Media

Read More: Re: Hide the Decline, Part Doh!