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

Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. Mann

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 9, 2010

Penn State YAF’s (Young Americans for Freedom) petition for academic integrity is now online! On February 12th almost a hundred students and citizens gathered to demand a fair and thorough…

Media

Read More: Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. Mann

Regulation

Will History Vanish Without State Spending?

  • March 9, 2010

It is an oft-disseminated lie that the government is the needed guardian of our historic sites and museums. Just as the private sector has begun to save our…

Media

Read More: Will History Vanish Without State Spending?

Health Care

Buying Insurance Across State Lines

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 8, 2010

John Goodman summarizes the issue of interestate competition for health insurance: Every state has mandated health insurance benefits. These are laws requiring insurers to cover services ranging from…

Media

Read More: Buying Insurance Across State Lines

Public Union Democracy

Rendell’s War on (Some) Special Interests

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 8, 2010

Gov. Rendell, of course, didn't declare war on all special interests - only those who oppose his tax-borrow-and-spend agenda.  For example, while he lambasts the natural gas industry for opposing…

Commentary

Read More: Rendell’s War on (Some) Special Interests

Regulation

Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New Hires

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 7, 2010

In an interview with the Allentown Morning Call, Gov. Rendell calls for changing the pension benefits for new state and school district employees, citing the enormous costs of…

Media

Read More: Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New Hires

Public Union Democracy

Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 5, 2010

David Henderson has a post up on the Econlog blog about how unemployment benefits increase the unemployment rate.  He cites himself, the Federal Reserve, and Obama economic advisor Larry…

Media

Read More: Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment

Government Accountability

State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s Cronyism

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 5, 2010

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a story about the state paying to lease office space, even though they’ve closed the office. But the more interesting part of the is…

Media

Read More: State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s Cronyism

Taxes & Economy

Who are the Tea Partiers?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 4, 2010

The Sam Adams Alliance has a new report out presenting findings from a survey of 50 “tea party movement” leaders. Among the more interesting findings 46.9 percent were uninvolved…

Media

Read More: Who are the Tea Partiers?

Health Care

HSAs: Efficient Heath Care and Savings for State Taxpayers

  • March 4, 2010

A recent op-ed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in the Wall Street Journal highlights the benefits his state has seen since implementing an optional Health Savings Account (HSA) for…

Media

Read More: HSAs: Efficient Heath Care and Savings for State Taxpayers

Taxes & Economy

About 25% of Highway Fund Doesn’t go to Highways

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 3, 2010

Robert Poole has a Washington Times article on how federal gas tax money in the “highway fund” is often diverted to other political purposes. Today, the federal role…

Media

Read More: About 25% of Highway Fund Doesn’t go to Highways

Taxes & Economy

A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad Policy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 3, 2010

Days before Pennsylvanians rang in the New Year, Gov. Rendell signed an agreement that paves the way for one of the most radical (and expensive) changes in Pennsylvania’s energy history.

Media

Read More: A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad Policy

Public Union Democracy

Teacher Unions Bankrupting the State

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 3, 2010

The pension crisis has been looming large throughout the state, yet pension reform proposals in Pennsylvania have been met with protests by school employees unions. The Pottstown…

Media

Read More: Teacher Unions Bankrupting the State

State Budget

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2010

  • March 2, 2010

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that through the end of February, state General Fund revenues are $477 million below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2010

Regulation

Rendell’s Pension “Fix” Merely Delays Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 2, 2010

With his 2010-11 budget, Gov. Rendell got around to addressing the looming pension crisis. However, his proposed “fix” – re-amortizing the liabilities over 30 years, then phasing in the…

Media

Read More: Rendell’s Pension “Fix” Merely Delays Costs

Taxes & Economy

PPL Proposes Distribution Rate Increase

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 2, 2010

PPL is hoping to “modestly” increase distribution rates next year. This is the regulated part of your electricity bill which is not subject to competition. There is no word…

Media

Read More: PPL Proposes Distribution Rate Increase

Taxes & Economy

New Jersey Has Lessons for PA?

  • March 2, 2010

Yes, New Jersey does have lessons for Pennsylvania. Governor Chris Christie proposed a plan to reduce some unemployment benefits. Employers were about to see an increase in their unemployment…

Media

Read More: New Jersey Has Lessons for PA?

Taxes & Economy

Electric Choice Trumps a Rate Cap Phase-in

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 1, 2010

The York Dispatch reports West Manchester Township is entering into a consortium to hedge against future electricity rate increases as rate caps are set to end for the area…

Media

Read More: Electric Choice Trumps a Rate Cap Phase-in

Taxes & Economy

“Jobs Saved” Estimates were Pre-Determined

  • March 1, 2010

The Congressional Budget Office announced last month that 1.5 million jobs were created or saved by the $862 billion stimulus package, a number many use to claim the stimulus…

Media

Read More: “Jobs Saved” Estimates were Pre-Determined

Health Care

The President’s Empty Health Care Promises

  • March 1, 2010

The White House has on its website an article titled, “The President’s Proposal puts American families and small business owners in control of their own health care.” According to…

Media

Read More: The President’s Empty Health Care Promises

Taxes & Economy

Transportation Industry Misleads on I-80 Tolling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 1, 2010

A couple of recent editorials in favor of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plan to toll I-80 – both by transportation industry insiders – gives some misleading info. Peter Javsicas of…

Media

Read More: Transportation Industry Misleads on I-80 Tolling

Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Powering Job Growth

  • March 1, 2010

TMK-IPSCO, an oil-and-gas pipe maker, recently announced its plan to build a new manufacturing facility roughly 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, just over the Ohio state line. The new…

Media

Read More: Marcellus Shale Powering Job Growth