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.
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Public Union Democracy
Five Alternatives to Tolling I-80
A recent Pocono Record article calls the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s proposal to toll I-80 “a riddle with no easy answers” (HT GrassrootsPA). However, there are alternatives to that…
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Read More: Five Alternatives to Tolling I-80Government Accountability
Book Review: Money, Greed, and God
Jay Richards’ book Money, Greed, and God offers a defense of capitalism from a Christian perspective. Richards goes further, noting that capitalism depends on a virtuous society. A…
Media
Read More: Book Review: Money, Greed, and GodHealth Care
Why Health Care Costs are Skyrocketing
A nifty chart put together by the Mercatus Center helps explain why health care cost continue to skyrocket – a growing role for third-party payers and of government subsidies.
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Read More: Why Health Care Costs are SkyrocketingTaxes & Economy
How Government Hinders Job Creation
Economist Mark Hendrickson has a good piece for The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College explaining why federal policies aimed at “creating jobs” or even helping workers…
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Read More: How Government Hinders Job CreationTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Natural Gas Tax Resurrected
Governor Rendell has, once again, changed his mind deciding that taxing Pennsylvania’s emerging natural gas industry is a good idea. What changed the Governor’s mind? Recently, five companies…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Natural Gas Tax ResurrectedRegulation
Two Thumbs Down for Film Tax Credits
The Tax Foundation released a report on movie production incentives (MPIs), such as film tax tax credits and film grants (full report here). Forty-four states offer some sort…
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Read More: Two Thumbs Down for Film Tax CreditsTaxes & Economy
Government Spending Doesn’t Stimulate Economic Growth
Brian Riedl of the Heritage Foundation has a good Backgrounder on why government spending is no economic stimulus, including answering some of the points that neo-Keynesians make. (Click…
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Read More: Government Spending Doesn’t Stimulate Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
Rendell on HB 80: Now it’s war!
Yesterday, Governor Rendell had some harsh albeit entertaining words for opponents of HB 80, which would increase the state’s mandated alternative energy requirements. According to Rendell “Powerful special interests…
Media
Read More: Rendell on HB 80: Now it’s war!State Budget
What is Rendell Cutting in Pennsylvania Budget?
In his mid-year budget address, Governor Rendell outlined a plan to cut spending by $170 million in the Pennsylvania state budget. This week, he identified $161 specific cuts (see…
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Read More: What is Rendell Cutting in Pennsylvania Budget?Regulation
Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating Jobs
A study by Good Jobs First indicates that Pennsylvania’s tax incentives for high-tech companies has not been able to attract investment from other states. A net 43 high-tech companies…
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Read More: Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating JobsGovernment Accountability
Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad Ideas
Pennsylvania Governor Candidate Dan Onorato outlined his economic development proposals yesterday. He has some good ideas in there, but a lot of the…
Media
Read More: Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad IdeasRegulation
Paper or Plastic?
This morning I came across a ridiculous piece of legislation. Rep. McGeehan has proposed HB 2200, which would ban paper and plastic bags in grocery stores. Forget subtle…
Media
Read More: Paper or Plastic?Education
Climategate & Penn State
Just days after news broke about what has been dubbed "Climategate," Penn State University (PSU) announced that it would investigate the conduct of Michael Mann, a professor in PSU's Department…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Climategate & Penn StateTaxes & Economy
Government Spending on Transportation Not Creating Jobs
The AP has a new story out today on how “stimulus” road spending has had little effect on unemployment. Spend a lot or spend nothing at all, it…
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Read More: Government Spending on Transportation Not Creating JobsTaxes & Economy
Why are Electricity Rates Increasing? Has Competition Failed?
In the past few weeks ConEdison, MX Energy, and now Dominion Energy are raising their rates (this only affects those who haven’t switched). Far from failure, the…
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Read More: Why are Electricity Rates Increasing? Has Competition Failed?Regulation
Pennsylvania’s Gold Rush
In economically depressed Northeast Pennsylvania shale drilling has reinvigorated local economies creating thousands of jobs (29,000) last year. Yesterday, Fox News featured the region and the Marcellus Shale “gold rush”.
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Read More: Pennsylvania’s Gold RushTaxes & Economy
Still Movin’ Out
The Billy Joel song Movin’ Out sounds more eerie and more depressing every year that Pennsylvania continues to lose people. Allied Van Lines has released its 42nd Annual Magnet…
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Read More: Still Movin’ OutState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2010
Six months through the 2009-10 fiscal year, state revenues are $254 million below budget expenditures, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Tax collections have been below estimate in…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2010Energy
Citizen’s 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: Citizen’s Guide to Electric Choice & CompetitionRegulation
Deal on Pennsylvania Table Games Appears Done
After Gov. Rendell threatened to lay off 1,000 state workers if he didn’t sign legislation to establish table games (and the licensing fee and tax) at Pennsylvania casinos by…
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Read More: Deal on Pennsylvania Table Games Appears DoneTaxes & Economy
Financial Crisis: What Went Wrong
In December, Big Think, an online global forum released its series ‘What Went Wrong’, an eight week web-based series examining the causes of the financial crisis. This series brings…
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Read More: Financial Crisis: What Went Wrong