Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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
Reckless Driving With Taxpayer Dollars
Pennsylvania’s move towards big government is many ways mirrored by the fleet of cars it has amassed over the last three decades. The number of cars increased from 5,700…
Media
Read More: Reckless Driving With Taxpayer DollarsRegulation
Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAIL
Pennsylvania governor candidate Tom Corbett and his campaign team unveiled the first of seven policy outlines on economic development. Much of what it outlines is simply political rhetoric –…
Media
Read More: Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAILTaxes & Economy
Time to Act on Medicaid Fraud
The Heartland Institute put out a compilation of resources on reducing fraud in Medicaid and Medicare. In Pennsylvania, Auditor General Jack Wagner has found fraud and errors in Medicaid…
Media
Read More: Time to Act on Medicaid FraudTaxes & Economy
Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the Disease
A new report by the Bureau of Business Research at Ball State University found that the recent minimum wage increases account for 550,000 fewer part-time jobs. According to the…
Media
Read More: Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the DiseaseHealth Care
Obamacare and Deficits
In campaign-mode fashion, President Obama held a rally at Arcadia University on Monday to sell his plan for health care reform. Filled with the usual rhetoric and emotional, Obama made…
Media
Read More: Obamacare and DeficitsGovernment Accountability
For Whom The Turnpike Tolls
Tolls are appropriate because they are imposed directly upon travelers for their use of roads. However, the plan to toll I-80 represents more than a toll. It is also a…
Commentary
Read More: For Whom The Turnpike TollsRegulation
PA State Troopers Raid Philly Bars
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that dozens of Pennsylvania state troopers raided some Philly bars for selling unregistered brands of beer: Although the bar owners had bought the beer…
Media
Read More: PA State Troopers Raid Philly BarsTaxes & Economy
Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. Mann
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. MannRegulation
Will History Vanish Without State Spending?
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
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 LinesPublic Union Democracy
Rendell’s War on (Some) Special Interests
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 InterestsRegulation
Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New Hires
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 HiresPublic Union Democracy
Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment
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 UnemploymentGovernment Accountability
State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s Cronyism
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 CronyismTaxes & Economy
Who are the Tea Partiers?
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
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 TaxpayersTaxes & Economy
About 25% of Highway Fund Doesn’t go to Highways
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 HighwaysTaxes & Economy
A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad Policy
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 PolicyPublic Union Democracy
Teacher Unions Bankrupting the State
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 StateState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 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 2010Regulation
Rendell’s Pension “Fix” Merely Delays Costs
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