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.

State Budget

PA Business Survey: Bad Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2009

The Lincoln Institute released its Fall Business Climate Survey for Pennsylvania (mostly surveying small business owners). Click here for results and here for a summary of findings. Not…

Media

Read More: PA Business Survey: Bad Budget Deal

Regulation

WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey Rink

  • October 20, 2009

Despite the numerous studies concluding subsidized sport arenas provide little to no overall economic benefits to communities – Allentown is getting a minor league hockey rink built with at least …

Media

Read More: WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey Rink

Health Care

Guide to National Health Care Reform Proposals

  • October 20, 2009

President Obama has pushed national health care reform, making it a priority. While there is no official "Obama plan," and several different proposal in Congress, the leading proposals have several…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Guide to National Health Care Reform Proposals

Public Union Democracy

Political Power of Public Sector Unions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2009

The Weekly Standard has a good piece on the growing political power of public sector unions, with a short history lesson, and many of the consequences (e.g.

Media

Read More: Political Power of Public Sector Unions

Government Accountability

Why Tort Reform is Ignored in the Health Care Debate

  • October 19, 2009

The discussion surrounding tort reform is often subdued when talking about health care costs. Trial lawyers, like the American Association for Justice, claim that undermine litigation costs as a part…

Media

Read More: Why Tort Reform is Ignored in the Health Care Debate

Taxes & Economy

Map of State and Local Sales Tax Rates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2009

The Tax Foundation has a new map showing sales tax rates by state – including both the state rate and the average local rate. With the local included, Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Map of State and Local Sales Tax Rates

Health Care

Health Care “Facts” Disputed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2009

Michael Cannon and Ramesh Ponnuru have an editorial challenging the assertions of Obama on health care.  The article came out a few weeks ago, and specifically cites claims made…

Media

Read More: Health Care “Facts” Disputed

State Budget

Facts About Spending Limits from Colorado

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2009

Voters in Maine will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum limiting state spending and tax increases. The Maine Heritage Policy Center released a new paper offering…

Media

Read More: Facts About Spending Limits from Colorado

Taxes & Economy

Job Losses in Pennsylvania Counties

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2009

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released data on county employment and wages today.  It is a little dated (March 2009) relative to national data, but does offer a profile…

Media

Read More: Job Losses in Pennsylvania Counties

Health Care

Canadians Speak Out Against Government-Run Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2009

Our friends at the Mackinac Center have a series of videos on Canadian health care with regular Canadians discussing the problems with government-run health coverage.  (HT to Carpe…

Media

Read More: Canadians Speak Out Against Government-Run Health Care

State Budget

Budget Facts 2009: Budget Deal = Budget Deficits

  • October 15, 2009

Unfortunately, even if the Pennsylvania economy recovered to unprecedented level in next two years, there is no way it could possibly produce enough tax revenue to bridge the budgetary canyon…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Budget Facts 2009: Budget Deal = Budget Deficits

State Budget

Did PA Really Need Higher Taxes?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2009

Yesterday, blogger for the Time Herald/State Senator Daylin Leach attacked ATR’s no-tax pledge and Sen. Orie for signing it a few years ago before voting to increase taxes…

Media

Read More: Did PA Really Need Higher Taxes?

Criminal Justice Reform

Pennsylvania Corrections Spending

  • October 15, 2009

Facing a massive budget deficit, and with sizeable financial obligations looming, Pennsylvania needs to re-examine how taxpayer dollars are spent.  Spending on the Department of Corrections has grown far beyond…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania Corrections Spending

Regulation

Pensions and Skyrocketing Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 14, 2009

Ethan Demme has a good synopsis of the coming crisis in state and local pensions in Pennnsylvania, and why this will drive up taxes, from the RE Harper Economic…

Media

Read More: Pensions and Skyrocketing Taxes

Regulation

Punishing the Next Generation: The Rendell Pension Legacy

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • October 14, 2009

As the Rendell administration moves inexorably toward its finish line in January 2011, it is reasonable to begin considering the issues awaiting the next governor. Of significant note is Rendell's…

Commentary

Read More: Punishing the Next Generation: The Rendell Pension Legacy

Taxes & Economy

New Study Highlights Flaws in I-80 Tolling Plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 13, 2009

A new study on the impact of tolling I-80 in Pennsylvania by Grove City College economist Tracy Miller highlights several flaws in the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plan to toll…

Media

Read More: New Study Highlights Flaws in I-80 Tolling Plan

Health Care

Competition in Health Care would Lower Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2009

A report by Dr. Sven Larson from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity Foundation examines policies to remove government barriers and restore competition to the market for individual…

Media

Read More: Competition in Health Care would Lower Costs

Taxes & Economy

Breakdown of State and Local Government Tax Revenues

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2009

The Tax Foundation has a new report profiling the percentage of state and local government tax revenues by source for each state.  Here is how Pennsylvania compares (getting a…

Media

Read More: Breakdown of State and Local Government Tax Revenues

Regulation

Washington Post Highlights Pension Crisis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2009

The Washington Post ran an article Sunday on how market losses have put state and local government pension plans seriously in the red.  The article makes mention of the…

Media

Read More: Washington Post Highlights Pension Crisis