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.

Taxes & Economy

An Arizona-like Immigration Law for PA?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

Following Arizona’s recent enactment of a law intended to enforce federal illegal immigration laws, Pennsylvania State Representative Daryl Metcalfe has introduced similar legislation. The law would force employers…

Media

Read More: An Arizona-like Immigration Law for PA?

Public Union Democracy

State & Local Fiscal Reforms

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute recently presented a paper to the Federal Reserve of St. Louis on state and local government fiscal reforms. Edward’s four main themes were:…

Media

Read More: State & Local Fiscal Reforms

State Budget

Help Stop a Tax Increase in Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

Citizens Against Government Waste has a new action alert about proposed tax hikes in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania already has the highest Corporate Net Income Tax rate in the world,…

Media

Read More: Help Stop a Tax Increase in Pennsylvania

Health Care

PA Senate Passes High Risk Pool Legislation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

The Pennsylvania Senate on Monday passed Sen. Mike Folmer’s high risk pool legislation.  The bill, SB 507, would create a pool for insurance companies to provide coverage to…

Media

Read More: PA Senate Passes High Risk Pool Legislation

Regulation

Taxing Wind?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2010

Here is one tax proposal I am stunned Gov. Rendell has yet to copy – Wyoming Governor Freudenthal has proposed a tax on wind power. Of course, it would…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

More Grief for Mann

  • May 4, 2010

Virginia attorney general Kenneth Cuccinelli II has filed an exhaustive investigative request with the University of Virginia, seeking records pertaining to research grants obtained by Climategate scientist Michael Mann.

Media

Read More: More Grief for Mann

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

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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

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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

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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

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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