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.

Health Care

Obama Concedes CF was Right About Slacker Mandate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 11, 2010

I hate to toot my own horn (wink wink), but a few months ago, I wrote that a “slacker mandate” included in the federal health care bill would fail…

Media

Read More: Obama Concedes CF was Right About Slacker Mandate

State Budget

Pennsylvania State & Local Taxpayer Debt

  • May 11, 2010

Gov. Ed Rendell frequently argues that Pennsylvania taxpayers can afford to incur more state debt.  However, in order to justify the borrowing of billions of dollars, the governor conveniently ignores…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State & Local Taxpayer Debt

Public Union Democracy

Public vs. Private Employment & Pay

  • May 11, 2010

Pennsylvania's private sector lost 113,600 jobs while state and local governments added 40,200 positions between 2000 and 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the same time, public-sector…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Public vs. Private Employment & Pay

Public Union Democracy

Special Interests Denounce “Special Interests”

  • May 11, 2010

HARRISBURG, PA (05.11.10) — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment today that special interest groups which demand taxpayer subsidies for certain energy companies are attacking Pennsylvania’s natural gas companies for simply…

Press Release

Read More: Special Interests Denounce “Special Interests”

Education

PA School Districts Have $2.5 Billion in Reserves

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 10, 2010

PA Independent highlights the $2.5 billion school districts have in reserve accounts – $1.8 billion in “undesignated reserves.” To put that it lay terms – it’s a lot of…

Media

Read More: PA School Districts Have $2.5 Billion in Reserves

Taxes & Economy

Appraising the Candidates on Energy: Mandates Over Markets

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 10, 2010

PA gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett recently put out a policy paper on energy praising markets:  “a properly structured market place can effectively incentivize alternative energy investments – perhaps even…

Media

Read More: Appraising the Candidates on Energy: Mandates Over Markets

Taxes & Economy

Talking Transportation Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 10, 2010

PA Independent’s Eric Boehm talks with State Rep. Rick Geist about Pennsylvania transportation funding in their latest podcast. For more info on transportation funding, check out our…

Media

Read More: Talking Transportation Funding

Taxes & Economy

What about Jobs of Other Colors?

  • May 7, 2010

A report by Energy Ventures Analysis set straight erroneous claims made by Black and Veatch’s assessment of HB 80 and its sister bill in the PA Senate, SB92.

Media

Read More: What about Jobs of Other Colors?

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

Read More: Taxing Wind?

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

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