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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Taxes & Economy
Climate Change Action Plan Fails to Balance Evidence
HARRISBURG, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation today expressed dissatisfaction with the process and conclusion of the Climate Change Advisory Committee’s (CCAC) action plan for Pennsylvania. The plan deviates from key…
Press Release
Read More: Climate Change Action Plan Fails to Balance EvidenceHealth Care
Legislators Pack Health Care Legislation with Christmas Presents – For Themselves
This is the time of the year when most people are so busy with holiday preparations they lose track of what the government is doing with their hard-earned tax money.
Media
Read More: Legislators Pack Health Care Legislation with Christmas Presents – For ThemselvesTaxes & Economy
Lessons of Scrooge
Tony Phyrillas points to a DotPenn article on “Why Scrooge is a Progressive.” While DotPenn is typically a satire/humor blog, the the lesson of Ebenezer Scrooge is…
Media
Read More: Lessons of ScroogeTaxes & Economy
Final Numbers: Bush Biggest Spender Since LBJ
Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute updates the numbers on federal spending under George W. Bush with the final spending for FY 2009 in the books. While some of…
Media
Read More: Final Numbers: Bush Biggest Spender Since LBJTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvanians More Unhappy Than Most
As the winter rolls around there is a lot to be unhappy about especially in the northeast regions of the United States. It is no wonder the a new…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvanians More Unhappy Than MostEducation
Following Our Bad Example: The Tuition Tax Idea Spreads
The consideration of a tuition tax is appealing to populations beyond Pennsylvania as cities look to prop up budgets. Leave it to California to be the first to jump on…
Media
Read More: Following Our Bad Example: The Tuition Tax Idea SpreadsRegulation
PA Stores to Get Wine Vending Machines that Check ID
The Patriot News has a story that about 100 Pennsylvania stores will get wine kiosks, and the machines will check drivers licenses, give a breathalyzer, and accept payments. The…
Media
Read More: PA Stores to Get Wine Vending Machines that Check IDRegulation
PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork Projects
Mario Cattabiani writes in the the Philadelphia Inquirer about all the pet projects funded in the table games bill. He writes: It parcels out the local share in…
Media
Read More: PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork ProjectsRegulation
Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board Employees
As table game legislation inches towards final approval another reason to doubt the integrity and fiscal responsibility of the PA Gaming Control board has come to light. The Gaming Control…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board EmployeesTaxes & Economy
Who Pays Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax? Part III
Pennsylvania has a flat rate Personal Income Tax (PIT) of 3.07%. In this blog series, I will highlight some real facts about Pennsylvania’s PIT. Visit Who Pays the…
Media
Read More: Who Pays Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax? Part IIITaxes & Economy
PA Highway System Ranked 38th in Nation
Tony Phyrillas highlights Pennsylvania standings in the Reason Foundation’s 18th Annual Highway Report. PA ranks 38 among the most cost-effective state-owned highway systems. The top five include…
Media
Read More: PA Highway System Ranked 38th in NationTaxes & Economy
CF Sends Letter to FHWA on I-80 Tolling
Today, Commonwealth Foundation president Matthew Brouillette sent a letter to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Pennsylvania’s members of Congress expressing concerns over the proposed tolling of Interstate 80…
Media
Read More: CF Sends Letter to FHWA on I-80 TollingRegulation
PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New Borrowing
While the debate over table games continues, another piece of legislation passed with little debate was the $1.7 billion in borrowing for the state capital budget. HB…
Media
Read More: PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New BorrowingHealth Care
States Push Back Against National Healthcare
With the health care debate still brewing on the floor of the US Senate, states are pushing back against the prospect of a government-run healthcare system. The American Legislative…
Media
Read More: States Push Back Against National HealthcareRegulation
Pennsylvania Pension Resources
Commonwealth Foundation senior fellow Rick Dreyfuss will be on PCN’s call in show tonight, discussing the looming fiscal crisis in state pension. Click here for a recent news…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pension ResourcesTaxes & Economy
Cap and Trade Creates Green Jobs, Destroys Others
It is true that if the government levies heavy taxes on carbon dioxide emissions and then provides grants, subsidies, and tax credits to renewable resource development, it will create more…
Media
Read More: Cap and Trade Creates Green Jobs, Destroys OthersHealth Care
The Forgotten Health Care Tax
The Tax Foundation highlights a disturbing trend among states – new taxes on health care providers. Significant taxes on health providers and hospital taxes are on the books in…
Media
Read More: The Forgotten Health Care TaxEnergy
Five Threats to Pennsylvania’s Prosperity
Pennsylvania has long been one of the most economically stagnant states in the nation. For the period 1991-2008, the Commonwealth ranked 45th in job growth, 46th in personal income growth,…
Commentary
Read More: Five Threats to Pennsylvania’s ProsperityRegulation
Earmarks in Table Games Bill
I mentioned previously that the legislation authorizing table games at Pennsylvania casinos included a number of earmarks (directing funds to a specific project) and WAMs (creating a pot of money…
Media
Read More: Earmarks in Table Games BillState Budget
The Condition of the PA Budget According to Rendell
Governor Rendell, in his mid-year budget briefing, provided an optimistic if not misleading outlook. The Governor claims the commonwealth ended…
Media
Read More: The Condition of the PA Budget According to RendellState Budget
Pew Study Says Little about Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Health
In his budget mid-year briefing, Gov. Rendell cited, repeatedly, a Pew study on states’ fiscal outlook. While it is true that Pennsylvania is in better shape than states like…
Media
Read More: Pew Study Says Little about Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Health