Regulation
Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic Economics
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Vice President Kamala Harris wants to make groceries cheaper. However, her vague proposal to ban “price gouging” will have the opposite effect. Economists,…
Read More: Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic EconomicsEvery 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.
Related Issues
State Budget
Proposed Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansion Categories
As part of his budget, Gov. Rendell has proposed lowering Pennsylvania’s sales tax from 6% to 4% (Philadelphia has an additional 2% and Allegheny County 1% on top of the…
Media
Read More: Proposed Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansion CategoriesState Budget
Rendell Budget Treats Symptoms, Ignores Disease
HARRISBURG, PA (02.09.10) – Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement in response…
Press Release
Read More: Rendell Budget Treats Symptoms, Ignores DiseaseState Budget
Pennsylvania Budget Address Live Updates
CF will be offering live comments via Twitter on Governor Rendell’s budget address, beginning at 10:30 am. Updates will show up below. You can also follow CF staff here,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Address Live UpdatesTaxes & Economy
Perpetuating Fraud And Mismanagement
The Department of Public Welfare will receive additional federal funding to support its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This amount will be used to increase grants by…
Media
Read More: Perpetuating Fraud And MismanagementTaxes & Economy
Will Mandates Create “Green Jobs”?
Yes, to answer the question posed by the title, the state can mandate the creation of “green jobs” via alternative energy mandates – just as it…
Media
Read More: Will Mandates Create “Green Jobs”?State Budget
It’s Time for a Taxpayer’s Budget
Harrisburg, PA (02.08.10) – The Commonwealth Foundation today called upon Governor Ed Rendell to propose a taxpayer’s budget, a fiscal blueprint adhering to three principles of responsible spending for Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania…
Press Release
Read More: It’s Time for a Taxpayer’s BudgetTaxes & Economy
Natural Gas Tax: One Thoughtful Editorial, One…Not So Much
In their editorial on a natural gas severance tax, likely to be part of Gov. Rendell’s budget proposal on Tuesday, the Patriot News highlights some facts that don’t ever…
Media
Read More: Natural Gas Tax: One Thoughtful Editorial, One…Not So MuchTaxes & Economy
Final Nail in I-80 Tolling’s Coffin?
The FHWA is expect to announce shortly that, once again, the have rejected the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s bid to toll I-80 across the state. Eric Boehm has the details…
Media
Read More: Final Nail in I-80 Tolling’s Coffin?Public Union Democracy
Dude, Where’s My Raise?
A struggling economy and high unemployment left many without their yearly raise or bonus in 2009. That is, of course, unless you were a government employee. As originally reported on…
Media
Read More: Dude, Where’s My Raise?Taxes & Economy
Free Money Or Greater Burden?
Pennsylvania has not known the meaning of fiscal responsibility for quite some time. Unfortunately, for working Pennsylvanians, that is not about to change. Pennsylvania’s General Fund revenues are already…
Media
Read More: Free Money Or Greater Burden?Education
Penn State Whitewashes Climategate Investigation
HARRISBURG, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation today released the following statement in response to Penn State’s internal investigation of alleged scientific misconduct by Michael Mann, a prominent global warming…
Press Release
Read More: Penn State Whitewashes Climategate InvestigationEducation
PSU Clears Mann on 3 of 4 Allegations
Penn State’s internal investigation into the scientific conduct of Michael Mann cleared him of three of the four allegations against him. The report states they could find “no credible…
Media
Read More: PSU Clears Mann on 3 of 4 AllegationsTaxes & Economy
Stimulus: Saving Jobs or Delaying Recovery?
President Obama’s hollow promises are so glaringly visible these days that he has to chalk every compounding problem to the previous administration. One of his promises, though, involved colossal levels…
Media
Read More: Stimulus: Saving Jobs or Delaying Recovery?State Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: February 2010
Following January’s estimate, Pennsylvania General Fund revenues are $374 million below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year, according to the Department of Revenue. Tax collections have been below estimate…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: February 2010State Budget
Medicaid Errors in PA Cost Upwards of $320 Million
In a news release, PA Auditor General Jack Wagner estimates that – using the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare’s (DPW) estimated error rate – improper Medicaid payments cost Pennsylvania taxpayers…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Errors in PA Cost Upwards of $320 MillionTaxes & Economy
Electricity Competition: One Month Later . . .
With January electric bills in the hands of rate payers there is a host of discussion about the successes and short comings of electricity deregulation. Unlike Rep. George and…
Media
Read More: Electricity Competition: One Month Later . . .Taxes & Economy
Federal Aid to States Creates Pervese Incentives, Undermines Federalism
The Mercatus Center has a new policy report on the perverse incentives of the stimulus – i.e. that it drives state governments to spend more. Click here for…
Media
Read More: Federal Aid to States Creates Pervese Incentives, Undermines FederalismTaxes & Economy
Natural Gas Tax Just Another Slush Fund
Letter in the Scranton Times-Tribune Editor: Those calling for a state tax on natural gas extraction – including Gov. Ed Rendell and The Times-Tribune – use poor logic…
Media
Read More: Natural Gas Tax Just Another Slush FundRegulation
(Michael) Moore Movie Subsidies
Michael Moore’s latest film, Capitalism: A Love Story – which bashes taxpayer bailouts of big Wall Street companies – was itself the recipient of taxpayer subsidies from the state of…
Media
Read More: (Michael) Moore Movie SubsidiesTaxes & Economy
State of the Union Summaries
I missed the entire State of the Union Addresses, as I went to bed before it started (no, I’m not that old, but I had an early morning drive for…
Media
Read More: State of the Union SummariesRegulation
New Virginia Governor Pushing Liquor Store Privatization
Reason TV has a new video on liquor store privatization in Virginia, which highlights the benefits for consumers, and notes that states that privatize both save money and increase…
Media
Read More: New Virginia Governor Pushing Liquor Store Privatization