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.

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Taxes Driving Residents Out

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 3, 2009

The Tax Foundation has a new Fiscal Fact on Pennsylvania’s tax system and its impact on inter-state migration. After profiling Pennsylvania’s tax climate (hint: it is…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Taxes Driving Residents Out

Government Accountability

Spending Transparency & Accountability

  • December 3, 2009

There is a national movement to make government spending and finances accessible to taxpayers.  Pennsylvania lags behind, but state lawmakers are moving toward greater transparency.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Spending Transparency & Accountability

Taxes & Economy

The Minimum Wage Myth

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 3, 2009

As unemployment continues to rise and talk of a jobs stimulus circulates some are advocating for another increase in the minimum wage. But such a move would destroy jobs instead…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Ranks Middle-of-the-Pack in Small Business Climate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 2, 2009

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council released their Small Business Survival Index 2009 on Tuesday.  Pennsylvania ranks 27th on the Index (1 being the best state for small businesses). …

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Update: Harley’s Union “Compromises”

  • December 2, 2009

Harley’s heavily unionized employees came to a “compromise” through a new contract that will likely keep the company in Pennsylvania. Union leaders said, although they are not satisfied with this…

Media

Read More: Update: Harley’s Union “Compromises”

State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Growing Revenue Shortfall

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 2, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released November revenue collections yesterday. Once again, the actual General Fund collections were somewhat below projections; $56 million (or 3%) for the month. The…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Growing Revenue Shortfall

Education

Pittsburgh Tuition Tax Podcast

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 1, 2009

Elizabeth Bryan and I discuss the proposed tuition tax in Pittsburgh in a podcast. Joining us for part of the conversation is Aaron Gross, a student…

Media

Read More: Pittsburgh Tuition Tax Podcast

Regulation

Failing to Learn from Past Gambles

  • December 1, 2009

The Patriot New ran in an article on property tax “relief” the day after Thanksgiving, giving homeowners a reason not to be thankful. The governor’s dream to make…

Media

Read More: Failing to Learn from Past Gambles

Education

Penn State to Launch Inquiry in “Climategate”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 30, 2009

Penn State University is going to “look into” the emails from and about university professor Michael Mann, which indicate, among other things,…

Media

Read More: Penn State to Launch Inquiry in “Climategate”

Education

Taxing Tuition: The Future of Higher Education?

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • November 30, 2009

With Pittsburgh on the brink of bankruptcy thanks to its continual out-of-control spending, Mayor Ravenstahl and his allies on City Council have hatched a new scheme to collect more money…

Commentary

Read More: Taxing Tuition: The Future of Higher Education?

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Spent $4 Million in Taxpayer Funded Lobbying

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 30, 2009

The Tribune Review gives a strong exposé on why taxpayers continue to lose – Pennsylvania state and local governments spent $4 million to lobby the federal and state government…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Spent $4 Million in Taxpayer Funded Lobbying

Taxes & Economy

Congress Working on “[Save Their Own] Jobs” Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 30, 2009

With jobs losses continuing to mount, Congress is considering a third economic “stimulus” (pundits often ignore the Bush stimulus of 2008) in…

Media

Read More: Congress Working on “[Save Their Own] Jobs” Bill

State Budget

Pennsylvania Lawmakers to End Calendar Givewaways

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 27, 2009

ABC 27 reports that both the Pennsylvania House and Senate will not be printing calendars to give away this year (which typically featured a “courtesy of Rep. Name”) sticker.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Legislating Prices for Legal Ads

  • November 25, 2009

What do you do when something costs too much?  You don’t buy it.  Or if you’re the state, you simply mandate a new lower price. The State House…

Media

Read More: Legislating Prices for Legal Ads

Taxes & Economy

Who Pays Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax?

  • November 24, 2009

Pennsylvania has a flat rate Personal Income Tax (PIT) of 3.07%, which is a fair and simple distribution of taxation.  Yet some people are imprudently calling for a state-wide graduated…

Media

Read More: Who Pays Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax?

Regulation

Pennsylvania Pensions and Taxes

  • November 23, 2009

Pennsylvania's statewide pension plans for public school employees, state workers, legislators, judges and other government employees - the Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employee Retirement System…

Fact Sheet

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Taxes & Economy

Penn State Professor Caught in Climatology Scandal

  • November 23, 2009

Britain’s Climate Research Unit verified hackers confiscated email correspondence between top climatologists, putting Penn State’s director of Earth System Science Center, Michael E. Mann, directly in the middle of…

Media

Read More: Penn State Professor Caught in Climatology Scandal

Public Union Democracy

Legal Plunder At Its Worst

  • November 23, 2009

Let’s see how many dirty political games you can fit into one case – from union thuggery to corporate welfare, to rent-seeking to holding taxpayers and employees hostage – the…

Media

Read More: Legal Plunder At Its Worst

Health Care

US Senate’s Turkey of a Health Care Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 23, 2009

The Association of Physician and Surgeons has a one-page handout on some number and facts about the latest Senate health care bill.

Media

Read More: US Senate’s Turkey of a Health Care Bill