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.

Government Accountability

Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy Lobby

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 29, 2010

Colorado residents are fighting back against the powerful renewable energy lobby via ballot initiative. The Western Tradition Partnership, a grassroots citizens group, said they would attack the renewables…

Media

Read More: Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy Lobby

Regulation

Another Film Tax Credit Report Ignores Economics

  • March 26, 2010

In its analysis of Pennsylvania’s motion picture and television industry the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board pins down the creation of jobs and increased wages in the film industry…

Media

Read More: Another Film Tax Credit Report Ignores Economics

Regulation

Slots vs. Lottery

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 26, 2010

PA Independent summarizes a recent Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report that concludes slot machine gambling has not undermined lottery sales. I…

Media

Read More: Slots vs. Lottery

Regulation

Illinois Passes Pension Reductions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2010

While the Pennsylvania General Assembly is holding hearings to assess our public pension crisis is really bad, or really-really bad, Illinois is acting to reduce state pension benefits…

Media

Read More: Illinois Passes Pension Reductions

Health Care

Health Care Reform: “Change” Is Not Necessarily Good

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2010

Economist Bill Dunkelberg gives his criticism of the health care bill signed this past week. Dr. Dunkelberg will keynote the upcoming RE Harper Economic Forums – April 26…

Media

Read More: Health Care Reform: “Change” Is Not Necessarily Good

Taxes & Economy

What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2010

Recently, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics requested comments on how it should try to measure “green jobs.”  Here are the comments I offered: I am writing in…

Media

Read More: What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?

Regulation

Private Parks Promote Public Preservation

  • March 25, 2010

It is an oft-disseminated myth that government has to be the sole guardian of our historic sites, museums, and parks.  For instance, during the 2009 state budget impasse, Gov. Rendell…

Commentary

Read More: Private Parks Promote Public Preservation

Taxes & Economy

Podcast: Obese City Governments Seek Soda Tax

  • March 24, 2010

Following humbly in the footsteps of Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter, mayor Luke Ravensthal of Pittsburgh is proposing a soda tax. Justin Higginbottom from the Tax Foundation,…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Obese City Governments Seek Soda Tax

Government Accountability

Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2010

In a Democratic response to Attorney General Tom Corbett’s decision to join 13 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Obama health care legislation, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans…

Media

Read More: Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff

Health Care

Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health Insurance

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2010

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is pushing legislation that would allow residents of the Peach State to purchase insurance across state lines, unilaterally giving residents permission to buy coverage approved…

Media

Read More: Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health Insurance

Taxes & Economy

Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2010

Three Pennsylvania pro-tax, pro-government subsidy of special interest groups issued a statement calling for state taxes on natural gas extraction and on cigars and smokeless tobacco. There statements suggest…

Media

Read More: Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?

Health Care

Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are Idiots

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 23, 2010

Commenting about Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett joining AGs in 10 other states in a lawsuit against the federal health care bill, Gov. Rendell had this to say…

Media

Read More: Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are Idiots

Government Accountability

Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger Health

  • March 23, 2010

Like previous deals given to Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska) and Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Speaker Pelosi and President Obama offered reluctant House Democrats more favors in exchange for their support…

Media

Read More: Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger Health

Energy

Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2010

In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…

Commentary

Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

Taxes & Economy

Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 22, 2010

As more natural gas wells are drilled, environmental groups, and now lawmakers, are decrying the technology as unsafe or responsible for contamination. Even the EPA announced it is conducting…

Media

Read More: Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation

Health Care

Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 22, 2010

Ronald Reagan once said, “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” Last night’s vote on health care reform was heralded by supporter as a “historic vote” which will…

Media

Read More: Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?

Government Accountability

An Annual or Biennial Pennsylvania Budget?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 22, 2010

Cross Posted at The Triadvocate House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) argues that “a two-year budget is impractical in our modern world” and that the current annual budget cycle…

Media

Read More: An Annual or Biennial Pennsylvania Budget?

Health Care

Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 21, 2010

Eric Telford (Twitter handle JoeTaxpayer) has started to round up Congressmen who change their health care vote after getting big grants for their districts: …

Media

Read More: Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?

Taxes & Economy

Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2010

The Economist has a story on the city of Harrisburg’s fiscal mess, which has been years in the making. Thanks to an irresponsible city council, Harrisburg is still…

Media

Read More: Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?

Regulation

Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette Tax

  • March 19, 2010

According to a recent op-ed by Marc Kilmer of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a 2007 cigarette tax is having an adverse effect on the Free State’s economy. While…

Media

Read More: Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette Tax

Regulation

Private Historical Sites are More Popular

  • March 18, 2010

Unfortunately, the ability of non profit groups, private philanthropy and individual entrepreneurship have to preserve our historic sites and natural resources is largely overlooked. The perception that privately run…

Media

Read More: Private Historical Sites are More Popular