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
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2010
Following May’s tax collections, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that state General Fund revenues are $1.2 billion below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Tax collections have…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2010Regulation
Rendell: Democrats will Do Well if Voters Ignore the Policy Debate
The Wall Street Journal recently published an interview with Gov. Rendell that highlighted Rendell’s analysis of policy issues – the stimulus, Wall Street/bailouts, and Immigration – at least in…
Media
Read More: Rendell: Democrats will Do Well if Voters Ignore the Policy DebateTaxes & Economy
Follies of Pittsburgh’s Beverage Tax
This week the student-run Publius Foundation think tank in Pittsburgh released their second study. Looking at the proposed Pittsburgh Beverage Tax, the brief concludes soda taxes harm the economy…
Media
Read More: Follies of Pittsburgh’s Beverage TaxTaxes & Economy
Top Mann Nemesis: He’s Not a Fraud
The person who was most instrumental in debunking Penn State scientist Michael Mann‘s hockey stick chart, Steve McIntyre of Climate Audit, said at a climate realists’ conference last week…
Media
Read More: Top Mann Nemesis: He’s Not a FraudRegulation
Tobacco Tax Fact Check
The misinformation that comes out of the Policy and Budget Center (PBC) amazes me. Here is the first post of a two-part fact-checking on taxing smokeless tobacco products…
Media
Read More: Tobacco Tax Fact CheckRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Film Tax Credit is a Flop
Pennsylvania’s film tax credit program has exhausted its limits for the year, to much moaning from the film industry lobbyists. Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Film Tax Credit is a FlopTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Drillers Exceed DEP Safety Standards
At a community forum in Luzerne County Scott Perry, Director of Oil and Gas Management for the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) explained how Marcellus natural gas drillers are…
Media
Read More: Marcellus Drillers Exceed DEP Safety StandardsPublic Union Democracy
CF Joins Coalition Opposing Bailout of Union Pensions
The Commonwealth Foundation joined with 50 other organizations in opposing using taxpayer funds to bailout private pensions; see the news release from Americans for Tax Reform. Two separate bills,…
Media
Read More: CF Joins Coalition Opposing Bailout of Union PensionsState Budget
Entitlement Spending Driving Federal Deficits
The Heritage Foundation has a new 2010 federal budget chart book, full of useful charts and data. For instance, the Obama Administration is spending more on a…
Media
Read More: Entitlement Spending Driving Federal DeficitsState Budget
Federal Earmarks Hurt State Economies
A new study by three Harvard faculty finds that seniority of a state’s congressional delegation does lead to more earmarks and federal aid for the state, it doesn’t improve…
Media
Read More: Federal Earmarks Hurt State EconomiesRegulation
PA House Authorizes New Debt for Corporate Welfare
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House approved legislation – HB 2399 – to allow the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to borrow and additional $50 to $100 million for additional “economic development…
Media
Read More: PA House Authorizes New Debt for Corporate WelfareTaxes & Economy
Who are the Tea Party Members?
Much has been said and made of the Tea Party movement over the past year and especially over the last several months, much by those who have no idea what…
Media
Read More: Who are the Tea Party Members?State Budget
PA House Democrats Try to Ram Through Tax Hikes
May 25, 2010–Last night, the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee — on a straight party line vote, with only Democrat support — amended into a bill (HB 325) related to volunteer…
Press Release
Read More: PA House Democrats Try to Ram Through Tax HikesPublic Union Democracy
Union Boss Honored for Decline in Union Membership
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a crucial piece of legislation – a resolution honoring our old “friend” Bill George, outgoing head of the PA AFL-CIO. What…
Media
Read More: Union Boss Honored for Decline in Union MembershipGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Budget Presentation
Below you can find my latest version of a presentation on the Pennsylvania state budget and economic policy. PA Budget and…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget PresentationGovernment Accountability
The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA
Everyone loves to hate "special interests." They spend millions of dollars in electing and lobbying public officials in order to gain political or legislative favor. So it was no surprise…
Commentary
Read More: The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PAState Budget
PA House Republicans’ Cost Savings Plan
In an attempt to balance the state budget without raising taxes, the House Republican Caucus has developed a plan to reduce spending in the Pennsylvania State Budget. One interesting…
Media
Read More: PA House Republicans’ Cost Savings PlanTaxes & Economy
Another Commercial Produced by PA Government
I caught another TV commercial produced by Pennsylvania state government the other night. This one is intended to scare viewers who are thinking of committing insurance fraud…and make the…
Media
Read More: Another Commercial Produced by PA GovernmentTaxes & Economy
Who is Adding Jobs in PA?
The latest BLS report on state jobs is out, and is pretty good news for Pennsylvania, which added 34,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in April – 2nd most among the…
Media
Read More: Who is Adding Jobs in PA?Regulation
The Failure of Economic Development Incentives
With budget season upon us, politicians are scrambling for new revenue sources or programs to cut. “The Failures of Economic Development Incentives,” a 2004 report by Alan Peters and…
Media
Read More: The Failure of Economic Development IncentivesTaxes & Economy
Corbett v. Rendell: Who is Right on PA’s Economy?
In his acceptance speech Tuesday night, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett vowed to get Pennsylvania’s economy back on track after years of stagnation and misguide policy decisions. Gov. Rendell…
Media
Read More: Corbett v. Rendell: Who is Right on PA’s Economy?