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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Regulation

The Future of State Parks

  • February 26, 2010

State parks across the nation are struggling to stay open: Arizona has decided to close 13 parks, New York is considering closing 41 parks, Washington is thinking…

Media

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State Budget

Tax Foundation Analysis of Rendell’s Tax Proposals

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 26, 2010

Joe Henchman of the Tax Foundation has put together a Fical Fact looking at Gov. Rendell’s tax increases in the proposed Pennsylvania state budget. Here is the quick overview:…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

NTU Congressional Ratings for Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 26, 2010

The National Taxpayers Union released their annual Congressional report card (for votes in 2009). Here are the votes they rated. NTU’s rating is based on “every roll call…

Media

Read More: NTU Congressional Ratings for Pennsylvania

Taxes & Economy

Debunking the Green Job Myth

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 25, 2010

US News and World Report has an excellent piece from AEI’s Kenneth Green debunking the green job myth. Government can create jobs: Green explains how governments cannot create…

Media

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Regulation

Property Tax Relief Not as Awesome as Rendell Says

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 25, 2010

Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner put out another report that should embarrass the Rendell administration, this one one the claimed benefits of property tax relief. (Full report in…

Media

Read More: Property Tax Relief Not as Awesome as Rendell Says