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

This is the Budget We Waited For?

  • October 9, 2009

Plan taxes too much, spends too much, and fails to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity Harrisburg, PA – With state budget impasse finally over, Commonwealth Foundation President Matthew…

Press Release

Read More: This is the Budget We Waited For?

Taxes & Economy

Competition Emerges as PPL Completes Supply Auctions

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 9, 2009

Yesterday, PPL completed it’s last auction to for power to serve customers after rate caps expire on January 1st 2010. PPL has been procuring power in phases since 2007 in…

Media

Read More: Competition Emerges as PPL Completes Supply Auctions

Health Care

My Message to Congress on Health Care Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 9, 2009

I just uploaded my video message to Congress on health care reform.  This is part of a project of the National Taxpayers Union, who is preparing DVDs…

Media

Read More: My Message to Congress on Health Care Reform

State Budget

100 Days Without a Budget and We’re Still Alive!

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 8, 2009

The budget impasse has been analogized and analyzed to death in the past couple months. It’s rich fodder for politico pundits and reporters. Some have compared it to a…

Media

Read More: 100 Days Without a Budget and We’re Still Alive!

State Budget

PA Budget Deal Means Pledge-Breaking

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 8, 2009

Today GrassrootsPA features the five Pennsylvania lawmakers who signed, then violated, Americans For Tax Reform’s pledge to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to raise taxes“.

Media

Read More: PA Budget Deal Means Pledge-Breaking

State Budget

PA House Votes to De-fund ACORN

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2009

In addition to concurring with the tax hikes previously approved by the Senate, the Pennsylvania House voted earlier today 157-42 in favor of an amendment to HB 1407…

Media

Read More: PA House Votes to De-fund ACORN

Regulation

More Info on What WAMS are in PA Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2009

The news service Capitolwire (subscription) has new information about the debate on WAMs in the budget, including a secret memo – disclaimed by all sides – explaining which…

Media

Read More: More Info on What WAMS are in PA Budget

Taxes & Economy

Dollar’s Dramatic Free Fall – Coming Soon!

  • October 7, 2009

The title might be too much to stomach for some, but such is the tone of Fred Kingery’s commentary, published by the Center for Vision and Values at Grove City…

Media

Read More: Dollar’s Dramatic Free Fall – Coming Soon!

State Budget

House Democrats Help Identify More WAMs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2009

PA House Democrat leader Todd Eachus and Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans sent a letter to Gov. Rendell decrying the inclusion of $12 million in WAMs in the latest Senate…

Media

Read More: House Democrats Help Identify More WAMs

State Budget

The Totally Different Pennsylvania Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2009

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Senate decided they were going to go their own way on the state budget, angered at House Democrat’s…

Media

Read More: The Totally Different Pennsylvania Budget Deal

State Budget

Realities of Severance Tax

  • October 6, 2009

On Friday, the Pennsylvania House passed a tax bill with numerous tax hikes (and a few cuts).

Media

Read More: Realities of Severance Tax

Regulation

An Honest Debate About State Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2009

Throughout the budget process, Rendell has used this same tactic, called a "Washington Monument" ploy.  From claiming education would be set back decades, to asserting state police would have to…

Commentary

Read More: An Honest Debate About State Spending

Regulation

Arnold Kling’s Diagnosis of the Financial Crisis

  • October 6, 2009

In his paper titled NOT WHAT THEY HAD IN MIND: A History of Policies that Produced the Financial Crisis of 2008, Arnold Kling provides historical context and analysis to…

Media

Read More: Arnold Kling’s Diagnosis of the Financial Crisis

State Budget

The Best And Worst Ways To Eliminate A Budget Deficit

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 5, 2009

John Nothdurft of The Heartland Institute wrote this last February…  Anybody listening in Harrisburg? Legislatures in at least 39 states will have to take steps by the end of…

Media

Read More: The Best And Worst Ways To Eliminate A Budget Deficit

State Budget

PA House Approves More Debt for Pork

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 5, 2009

Lost in the shuffle over the Pennsylvania state (operating) budget was a vote over the weekend over the state capital budget, which was approved by the Pennsylvania House. The…

Media

Read More: PA House Approves More Debt for Pork

Health Care

NTU Launches “Special Delivery” Video Project

  • October 5, 2009

The National Taxpayers Union has recently announced a new video project aimed at letting the American taxpayer have their say in the healthcare debate. Entitled the “Special Delivery Project”, NTU is encouraging Americans…

Media

Read More: NTU Launches “Special Delivery” Video Project

State Budget

“Big Helicopter” and Big Hollywood

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2009

While debating their myriad of tax increases (which was eventually approved by the chamber), Pennsylvania House Democrats continued to demonize “Big…

Media

Read More: “Big Helicopter” and Big Hollywood

State Budget

What’s in the PA House Democrats Tax Bill?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2009

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee approved a “gut-and-replace” amendment to HB 1531 – which had previously been a bill to extend tax relief for military families – which…

Media

Read More: What’s in the PA House Democrats Tax Bill?

State Budget

Pennsylvania Revenue Collections Fall Short Again

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released their revenue estimates for September.  The collections were $119 million below estimates for the month, and $300 million less than collected one year…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Revenue Collections Fall Short Again

State Budget

October Surprise: Rush to Vote on Tax Hikes

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 1, 2009

I’ve just received word that Democrats are planning to rush a tax increase vote in the state House of Representatives tomorrow! Specifically, House Democrats are going to hold a vote on legislation…

Media

Read More: October Surprise: Rush to Vote on Tax Hikes