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
State Budget
Time for Real Spending Reductions
HARRISBURG, PA — As Gov. Rendell delivers his mid-year budget briefing, with General Fund collections $217 million below projections, now is the time to consider the causes of…
Press Release
Read More: Time for Real Spending ReductionsHealth Care
National Health Care Could Bankrupt Pennsylvania
The US Senate health care bill includes a mandate to increase the cut off level for Medicaid eligibility. This increased cut off for Medicaid will increase costs for Pennsylvania and…
Media
Read More: National Health Care Could Bankrupt PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Podcast: Rich States, Poor States
If you missed last week’s luncheon, you can down the latest podcast, in which Matt Brouillette talks with Jonathan Williams of the American Legislative Exchange Council about their report,…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Rich States, Poor StatesState Budget
Revisiting a Natural Gas Severance Tax
The state budget passed in October did not include a severance tax on natural gas. The tax would’ve impeded the development of…
Media
Read More: Revisiting a Natural Gas Severance TaxTaxes & Economy
We Don’t Need No Stinking Jobs
Don Boudreaux has an outstanding op-ed explaining the futility, and the misnomer, of “creating jobs” Jobs are not scarce. They never have been. They’re all around us. There…
Media
Read More: We Don’t Need No Stinking JobsRegulation
Pennsylvania Pension Managers Note Looming Crisis
The Post-Gazette features an article on the upcoming cost increases to Pennsylvania school districts and the state for pensions in the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS). The article…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pension Managers Note Looming CrisisRegulation
Legislators Wambling with PA Table Games
After reportedly taking “WAMs” out of the state budget, it appears Pennsylvania lawmakers are may create a new pot of funds for WAMs in the table games bill – i.e.
Media
Read More: Legislators Wambling with PA Table GamesState Budget
Lot of Glitches in Stimulus 3.0
The Wall Street Journal has a good discussion of yet another stimulus – correctly identify it as Stimulus III (noting both the $787 billion stimulus from earlier this year,…
Media
Read More: Lot of Glitches in Stimulus 3.0Government Accountability
Pennsylvania House Passes Spending Transparency
The Pennsylvania House today passed HB 1880, by a unanimous vote. The bill would create an online, searchable database of all state spending. We are told Gov. Rendell sent…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania House Passes Spending TransparencyRegulation
Outward Bound – Taxes Driving People Out Of Pennsylvania
Between 2000 and 2008, Pennsylvania suffered the depletion of one of its most valuable resources - people. During this period, the state lost 56,000 net residents, according to U.S. Census…
Commentary
Read More: Outward Bound – Taxes Driving People Out Of PennsylvaniaRegulation
An Ethnic Taste of Corporate Welfare
The benevolent Department of Community and Economic Development most recently bestowed its generosity on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Pennsylvania by awarding it $20,000. This money will…
Media
Read More: An Ethnic Taste of Corporate WelfareTaxes & Economy
Who Pays Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax? Part II
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? Part IIRegulation
Is the Harley Handout Constitutional?
Governor Ed Rendell just announced $15.4 million in economic development assistance to renovate its York County factory and train workers. $14 million of the $15.4 million comes from Capital…
Media
Read More: Is the Harley Handout Constitutional?Regulation
SEPTA is Financially Sound?!
In a letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEPTA general manager Joe Casey challenges our commentary in which we called for SEPTA to competitively contract routes…
Media
Read More: SEPTA is Financially Sound?!Education
Penn State Professor Feeling the (Metaphorical) Heat
Following the Commonwealth Foundation’s call for a legislative inquiry into use of tax dollars to stifle, rather than foster, scientific inquiry in the case of Penn State professor Michael…
Media
Read More: Penn State Professor Feeling the (Metaphorical) HeatTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Taxes Driving Residents Out
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 OutGovernment Accountability
Spending Transparency & Accountability
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 & AccountabilityTaxes & Economy
The Minimum Wage Myth
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
Read More: The Minimum Wage MythTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Ranks Middle-of-the-Pack in Small Business Climate
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
Read More: Pennsylvania Ranks Middle-of-the-Pack in Small Business ClimatePublic Union Democracy
Update: Harley’s Union “Compromises”
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
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