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

More Opposition to Rendell’s Sales Tax Expansion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 17, 2010

The Post-Gazette sums up additional opposition to Gov. Rendell’s proposed expansion of the sales tax – this time from the computer services industry. The article also notes how Gov.

Media

Read More: More Opposition to Rendell’s Sales Tax Expansion

Taxes & Economy

Gas Bags Scare Off Gas Investor

  • March 17, 2010

In an interview with CNBC, Larry Nichols, CEO of the highly-successful Devon Energy, claimed his company will not be seeking a share of the Marcellus Shale gas reserves anytime…

Media

Read More: Gas Bags Scare Off Gas Investor

Education

The Green Schools Ruse

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 16, 2010

Yesterday the House passed Rep. Drucker’s bill to exclude any costs associated with making a school building LEED certified from a possible…

Media

Read More: The Green Schools Ruse

Government Accountability

When Will These Guys Learn?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 16, 2010

Pennsylvania Independent reports on two PA House contracts for voter lists, costing taxpayers over $225,000. Readers will recognize that this sounds quite a bit like the actions of former…

Media

Read More: When Will These Guys Learn?

Taxes & Economy

CF Podcast: Freedom in the 50 States

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 15, 2010

Listen to the latest CF podcast on Mercatus Center study, Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom. The report is the first comprehensive…

Media

Read More: CF Podcast: Freedom in the 50 States

Taxes & Economy

Sam Rohrer’s Energy Proposal

  • March 15, 2010

Gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer laid out his Energy Independence plan for Pennsylvania. The plan includes: Oppose any effort to impose a natural gas severance tax in the absence of…

Media

Read More: Sam Rohrer’s Energy Proposal

Taxes & Economy

SEPTA and I-80 Tolling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 15, 2010

While the transportation industry is propping up the myth that I-80 tolls won’t be used for transit in Pennsylvania, SEPTA officials are busy lobbying for I-80 tolling in…

Media

Read More: SEPTA and I-80 Tolling

Taxes & Economy

More on the Unintended Consequences of the “Jobs Bill”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 13, 2010

CS Monitor writes that the tax credits in the so-called “jobs bill” won’t encourage small businesses to hire.  Worse yet, it might delay job creation: And as long…

Media

Read More: More on the Unintended Consequences of the “Jobs Bill”

Regulation

Philadelphia Should Get out of the Garbage Business

  • March 12, 2010

Earlier this month, Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter proposed increasing the city’s trash collection fee to $300 to deal with the city’s budget deficit. Instead of finding ways to be more…

Media

Read More: Philadelphia Should Get out of the Garbage Business

Health Care

Obama and the Slacker Mandate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2010

In his health care rally in the Philadelphia area earlier this week, President Obama touted a proposed regulation that insurance companies would have to allow children up to age 26…

Media

Read More: Obama and the Slacker Mandate

Taxes & Economy

Could Municipalities Provide Cheaper Electricity?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 12, 2010

Last week the State House Committee on Consumer Affairs held a hearing on legislation which would allow municipalities to act as electricity aggregators for residents, unless they opt-out for another…

Media

Read More: Could Municipalities Provide Cheaper Electricity?

Regulation

State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2010

A new survey from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics looks at the total employer costs for workers in both the private and public sector. While wages for…

Media

Read More: State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%

Government Accountability

Need for an Independent Fiscal Office in PA?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 11, 2010

A new Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office was the subject of a recent legislative hearing this week, with several lawmakers arguing the need for the office (which was included in…

Media

Read More: Need for an Independent Fiscal Office in PA?

State Budget

Reckless Driving With Taxpayer Dollars

  • March 11, 2010

Pennsylvania’s move towards big government is many ways mirrored by the fleet of cars it has amassed over the last three decades. The number of cars increased from 5,700…

Media

Read More: Reckless Driving With Taxpayer Dollars

Regulation

Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAIL

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2010

Pennsylvania governor candidate Tom Corbett and his campaign team unveiled the first of seven policy outlines on economic development. Much of what it outlines is simply political rhetoric –…

Media

Read More: Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAIL

Taxes & Economy

Time to Act on Medicaid Fraud

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2010

The Heartland Institute put out a compilation of resources on reducing fraud in Medicaid and Medicare.  In Pennsylvania, Auditor General Jack Wagner has found fraud and errors in Medicaid…

Media

Read More: Time to Act on Medicaid Fraud

Taxes & Economy

Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the Disease

  • March 10, 2010

A new report by the Bureau of Business Research at Ball State University found that the recent minimum wage increases account for 550,000 fewer part-time jobs. According to the…

Media

Read More: Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the Disease

Health Care

Obamacare and Deficits

  • March 10, 2010

In campaign-mode fashion, President Obama held a rally at Arcadia University on Monday to sell his plan for health care reform. Filled with the usual rhetoric and emotional, Obama made…

Media

Read More: Obamacare and Deficits

Government Accountability

For Whom The Turnpike Tolls

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 9, 2010

Tolls are appropriate because they are imposed directly upon travelers for their use of roads.  However, the plan to toll I-80 represents more than a toll.  It is also a…

Commentary

Read More: For Whom The Turnpike Tolls

Regulation

PA State Troopers Raid Philly Bars

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 9, 2010

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that dozens of Pennsylvania state troopers raided some Philly bars for selling unregistered brands of beer: Although the bar owners had bought the beer…

Media

Read More: PA State Troopers Raid Philly Bars