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
Taxes & Economy
There PennFuture Goes Again!
This morning on Harrisburg’s NPR station WITF (audio), Commonwealth Foundation adjunct scholar Andrew Langer debated Jan Jarrett of PennFuture. Afterward Jarrett slammed us…
Media
Read More: There PennFuture Goes Again!Energy
Business Guide to Electric Choice & Competition
In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Business Guide to Electric Choice & CompetitionHealth Care
Virginia Passes Health Care Freedom Act
The Virginia House of Representatives passed SB 417, sending it on to Gov. McDonnell, who is expected to sign it. The legislation would state, in defiance of health…
Media
Read More: Virginia Passes Health Care Freedom ActRegulation
Tracking the Bailout Money
Propublica has a good tool tracking all the money the federal government has given out in both the TARP bailout and the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Media
Read More: Tracking the Bailout MoneyRegulation
Government Pension Plans Facing Crisis in Many States
RiShawn Biddle has a good article at American Spectator on how public school pensions and health care benefits are a huge cost burden in many states. New Jersey is…
Media
Read More: Government Pension Plans Facing Crisis in Many StatesRegulation
Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)
The lobbyist group Triad Strategies has a new blog focusing on Pennsylvania policy and politics, which features a recent post by George Wolff that calls for taxpayers to…
Media
Read More: Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Turnpike Already Hiring Consultants for I-80 Tolling
Toll Roads News reports that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is seeking bids for consultants for the conversion of the highway to a toll road. The four contracts would each…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Already Hiring Consultants for I-80 TollingTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansions Set to Star Wars
Here is a video listing the 74 items currently exempt from the Pennsylvania sales tax that Gov. Rendell has proposed taxing – set to the introduction of Star Wars…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansions Set to Star WarsEducation
Climategate is an Embarassment
Penn State sophomore Samuel Settle pens a letter on why he is embarrassed of professor Michael Mann’s behavior, and his school’s white-washing of an investigation. Click here for our…
Media
Read More: Climategate is an EmbarassmentCriminal Justice Reform
Instituting Meaningful Corrections Reform
Eric Boehm has a good article on the opportunity to help balance the state budget by reforming prison and probation. The inmate population in Pennsylvania’s prisons is growing at…
Media
Read More: Instituting Meaningful Corrections ReformGovernment Accountability
The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?
Darwyyn Deyo reports that the PA House of Representatives is moving from away from paper newsletters to email newsletters to registered voters. This is a good move, likely to…
Media
Read More: The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?State Budget
The Merits of an Expanded Sales Tax
Josh Barro of the Manhattan Institute has a recent op-ed on the idea of states broadening their sales tax base, noting that several states are looking this direction.
Media
Read More: The Merits of an Expanded Sales TaxRegulation
Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania Government
Gov. Rendell once again touted the reduction in and relatively-low number of state government employees. But as we noted last year, the “state complement” includes only about half of…
Media
Read More: Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania GovernmentPublic Union Democracy
PSEA Complicit in Pension Debacle
The PSEA has a ridiculous new video calling on members to demand state lawmakers “keep their promise” on pension plans – essentially saying “don’t reform the system at all,”…
Media
Read More: PSEA Complicit in Pension DebacleState Budget
No Solutions in Rendell’s Budget
The Keystone State for years has been afflicted by government inefficiency and overspending. Since Gov. Rendell took office in 2003, Pennsylvania’s burden of state and local taxes has increased from…
Commentary
Read More: No Solutions in Rendell’s BudgetState 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 Budget