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

Natural Gas Tax: One Thoughtful Editorial, One…Not So Much

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 8, 2010

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 Much

Taxes & Economy

Final Nail in I-80 Tolling’s Coffin?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2010

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?

  • February 4, 2010

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?

  • February 4, 2010

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

  • February 3, 2010

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 Investigation

Education

PSU Clears Mann on 3 of 4 Allegations

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2010

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 Allegations

Taxes & Economy

Stimulus: Saving Jobs or Delaying Recovery?

  • February 3, 2010

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

  • February 2, 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 2010

State Budget

Medicaid Errors in PA Cost Upwards of $320 Million

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 2, 2010

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 Million

Taxes & Economy

Electricity Competition: One Month Later . . .

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 1, 2010

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

Natural Gas Tax Just Another Slush Fund

  • February 1, 2010

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 Fund

Regulation

(Michael) Moore Movie Subsidies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 29, 2010

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 Subsidies

Taxes & Economy

State of the Union Summaries

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 28, 2010

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 Summaries

Regulation

New Virginia Governor Pushing Liquor Store Privatization

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 27, 2010

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

Taxes & Economy

Five Alternatives to Tolling I-80

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2010

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) continues its push for federal approval to toll Interstate-80, claiming that without it bridges will collapse, highways will crumble, and dogs and cats will start…

Commentary

Read More: Five Alternatives to Tolling I-80

Taxes & Economy

Stimulus: The Sequel

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2010

The Center for Freedom and Prosperity has a great new video, analyzing 1)Whether the 2009 stimulus created jobs, and 2) Why politicians are craving another stimulus. My only…

Media

Read More: Stimulus: The Sequel

Regulation

“Net Neutrality” Threatens Internet Innovation

  • January 25, 2010

Recently, The Commonwealth Foundation joined the Internet Freedom Coalition, a coalition of organizations standing against “network neutrality” initiatives. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a new plan that…

Media

Read More: “Net Neutrality” Threatens Internet Innovation

Regulation

Pennsylvanians Heavy Laden With State Debt

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 25, 2010

A recent report from Forbes finds that Pennsylvania faces a serious challenge with state government debt. Pennsylvania ranked 35 among all states in the Forbes debt rating. According to…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Heavy Laden With State Debt

Government Accountability

More on Corporations and Free Speech

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 24, 2010

Following the Supreme Court ruling that our First Amendment right to free speech applied to corporations’ speech regarding candidates for federal office – a ruling started when the FEC…

Media

Read More: More on Corporations and Free Speech

Taxes & Economy

“Fewer Jobs Lost” is Not a Positive Trend

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 22, 2010

The Post-Gazette has a story on Pennsylvania’s economy in which both Mark Price of Keystone Research Center and the reporter both repeat the illogical idea that we are losing…

Media

Read More: “Fewer Jobs Lost” is Not a Positive Trend