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.

Regulation

Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”

  • April 27, 2010

Press-release economics has long been part of a political charade in which lawmakers use other people's money to fund their political gain. In Pennsylvania, agencies such as the Department of…

Commentary

Read More: Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”

Regulation

Environmental Victories or Taxpayer Liabilities?

  • April 26, 2010

The left leaning group, PennFuture, recently celebrated a number “Environmental Victories,” though Pennsylvania taxpayers have little to celebrate from the new mandates and regulations. Here are some of the things…

Media

Read More: Environmental Victories or Taxpayer Liabilities?

Regulation

Numbers Guy: Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products Overblown

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 26, 2010

The Wall Street Journal’s “Numbers Guy” takes a look at the effects of smokeless tobacco.  Many supporters of a tobacco tax use the argument that it would provide public…

Media

Read More: Numbers Guy: Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products Overblown

Education

Some Educating Research on Education

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 23, 2010

I’m a little behind on my reading – hence I am going through two editions of the quarterly journal Education Next. Nonetheless, there are a number of interesting and informative…

Media

Read More: Some Educating Research on Education

Taxes & Economy

Climate Debate Fact Check

  • April 22, 2010

During a climate change policy debate between CF’s Matt Brouillette and PennFuture’s Jan Jarrett, Jarrett gave the audience some misleading statements which I think should be addressed. First, Jarrett…

Media

Read More: Climate Debate Fact Check

Taxes & Economy

Re: Hide the Decline, Part Doh!

  • April 22, 2010

On Tuesday I posted about Minnesotans for Global Warming’s new parody video about Climategate hockey stick scientist Michael Mann, from Penn State. Yesterday YouTube removed the video allegedly because…

Media

Read More: Re: Hide the Decline, Part Doh!

Regulation

Economic Development Funding – A Legacy of Waste

  • April 22, 2010

Earlier this month the State House passed a bill establishing the Industry Partnerships Program. Yet another Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) program will be instituted, and as…

Media

Read More: Economic Development Funding – A Legacy of Waste

Taxes & Economy

Obstructionist PennFuture Rants Again

  • April 21, 2010

Yesterday PennFuture demonstrated in Pittsburgh in support of a moratorium on any new drilling on Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale natural gas formation, in an effort to “save the…

Media

Read More: Obstructionist PennFuture Rants Again

Regulation

Turzai Bill Would Privatize PA Liquor Stores

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 21, 2010

State Representative Mike Turzai announced legislation today to privatize Pennsylvania’s state liquor stores (i.e. wine and spirit sales). The legislation would auction off 750 retail store licenses and 100…

Media

Read More: Turzai Bill Would Privatize PA Liquor Stores

Taxes & Economy

Talking about PA Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 21, 2010

If you missed our Policies and Principles luncheon with Scott Hodge of the Tax Foundation, Eric Boehm of PA Independent has a write-up of the event, and also recorded…

Media

Read More: Talking about PA Taxes

Taxes & Economy

Hide the Decline, Part Doh!

  • April 20, 2010

After receiving litigation threats from Climategate scientist Michael “Hockey Stick” Mann (of Penn State) over the use of his image in the enormously popular “Hide the Decline” video,…

Media

Read More: Hide the Decline, Part Doh!

Government Accountability

Poll Shows Voters Support Pension Reform, I&R, and Spending Limits

  • April 20, 2010

HARRISBURG, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation today released results of a recently commissioned statewide poll measuring Pennsylvanians’ opinion of three landmark reforms.  The survey of 700 registered voters was conducted by…

Press Release

Read More: Poll Shows Voters Support Pension Reform, I&R, and Spending Limits

Regulation

Another Plan to Spend Our Way to Prosperity

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 20, 2010

The PA House Democrats unveiled their “jobs plan” yesterday. In short, it is more of the same failed policies of the past, i.e. those of Ridge-Rendell and…

Media

Read More: Another Plan to Spend Our Way to Prosperity

Government Accountability

Live from PA Leadership Conference (#PALC)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 16, 2010

For those of you unable to attend the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference this year, most of the sessions will be carried live on PCN TV.  You can also listen…

Media

Read More: Live from PA Leadership Conference (#PALC)

State Budget

PA Budget Deficit Grows by $800 Million, Plus More Fees for Lawyers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 16, 2010

To fill last year’s overspending, Pennsylvania lawmakers and Gov. Rendell drained all of the state’s reserve funds, including the MCare fund. Yesterday, the Commonwealth Court ruled this raid was illegal,…

Media

Read More: PA Budget Deficit Grows by $800 Million, Plus More Fees for Lawyers

Taxes & Economy

PA Losing Ground in Economic Rankings

  • April 15, 2010

This month, the American Legislative Exchange Council released their third annual ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitive Index. Unfortunately, in the last three years Pennsylvania’s economic rankings not only have been…

Media

Read More: PA Losing Ground in Economic Rankings

Taxes & Economy

Tell ’em PLEASE NO MORE TAXES!

  • April 15, 2010

Federal, state, and local taxes consume about 28% of the income earned by Pennsylvania residents, in the aggregate. This represents 103 days – meaning…

Media

Read More: Tell ’em PLEASE NO MORE TAXES!

Taxes & Economy

How Fast Is Harrisburg Spending Your Money?

  • April 15, 2010

Pennsylvania state government is spending $66 Billion of YOUR money this fiscal year at a clip of $180,000,000 per day. $7,500,000 per hour.

Press Release

Read More: How Fast Is Harrisburg Spending Your Money?

Taxes & Economy

Transportation Funding Solutions Require Reforms and Reprioritization

  • Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
  • April 14, 2010

Now that the federal government has rejected the ill-conceived plan to toll I-80 for a third, and supposedly final time, Gov. Rendell and the General Assembly must implement serious solutions…

Commentary

Read More: Transportation Funding Solutions Require Reforms and Reprioritization

Taxes & Economy

Turnpike Commission Gambles with Billions

  • April 13, 2010

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) has recently added to its long track record of inefficiency and corruption by using taxpayer funds to enter into 26 interest rate swaps tied…

Media

Read More: Turnpike Commission Gambles with Billions