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

Private Parks Promote Public Preservation

  • March 25, 2010

It is an oft-disseminated myth that government has to be the sole guardian of our historic sites, museums, and parks.  For instance, during the 2009 state budget impasse, Gov. Rendell…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Podcast: Obese City Governments Seek Soda Tax

  • March 24, 2010

Following humbly in the footsteps of Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter, mayor Luke Ravensthal of Pittsburgh is proposing a soda tax. Justin Higginbottom from the Tax Foundation,…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Obese City Governments Seek Soda Tax

Government Accountability

Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2010

In a Democratic response to Attorney General Tom Corbett’s decision to join 13 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Obama health care legislation, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans…

Media

Read More: Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff

Health Care

Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health Insurance

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2010

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is pushing legislation that would allow residents of the Peach State to purchase insurance across state lines, unilaterally giving residents permission to buy coverage approved…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2010

Three Pennsylvania pro-tax, pro-government subsidy of special interest groups issued a statement calling for state taxes on natural gas extraction and on cigars and smokeless tobacco. There statements suggest…

Media

Read More: Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?

Health Care

Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are Idiots

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 23, 2010

Commenting about Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett joining AGs in 10 other states in a lawsuit against the federal health care bill, Gov. Rendell had this to say…

Media

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Government Accountability

Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger Health

  • March 23, 2010

Like previous deals given to Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska) and Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Speaker Pelosi and President Obama offered reluctant House Democrats more favors in exchange for their support…

Media

Read More: Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger Health

Energy

Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2010

In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…

Commentary

Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

Taxes & Economy

Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 22, 2010

As more natural gas wells are drilled, environmental groups, and now lawmakers, are decrying the technology as unsafe or responsible for contamination. Even the EPA announced it is conducting…

Media

Read More: Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation

Health Care

Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 22, 2010

Ronald Reagan once said, “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” Last night’s vote on health care reform was heralded by supporter as a “historic vote” which will…

Media

Read More: Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?

Government Accountability

An Annual or Biennial Pennsylvania Budget?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 22, 2010

Cross Posted at The Triadvocate House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) argues that “a two-year budget is impractical in our modern world” and that the current annual budget cycle…

Media

Read More: An Annual or Biennial Pennsylvania Budget?

Health Care

Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 21, 2010

Eric Telford (Twitter handle JoeTaxpayer) has started to round up Congressmen who change their health care vote after getting big grants for their districts: …

Media

Read More: Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?

Taxes & Economy

Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2010

The Economist has a story on the city of Harrisburg’s fiscal mess, which has been years in the making. Thanks to an irresponsible city council, Harrisburg is still…

Media

Read More: Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?

Regulation

Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette Tax

  • March 19, 2010

According to a recent op-ed by Marc Kilmer of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a 2007 cigarette tax is having an adverse effect on the Free State’s economy. While…

Media

Read More: Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette Tax

Regulation

Private Historical Sites are More Popular

  • March 18, 2010

Unfortunately, the ability of non profit groups, private philanthropy and individual entrepreneurship have to preserve our historic sites and natural resources is largely overlooked. The perception that privately run…

Media

Read More: Private Historical Sites are More Popular

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