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.

Taxes & Economy

More Proof that Government Spending Hurts the Economy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 10, 2009

The Tax Foundation highlights a new NBER paper by Harvard economists, “Large Changes in Fiscal Policy: Taxes Versus Spending,” which analyzes the fiscal policies of OECD countries from…

Media

Read More: More Proof that Government Spending Hurts the Economy

Education

Privatizing School Bus Drivers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 9, 2009

In last Tuesday’s race for Central Dauphin school board candidates clashed over the privatization of the district’s busing. The pro-privatization candidate- Chris Judd narrowly won, but that hasn’t silenced the…

Media

Read More: Privatizing School Bus Drivers

Taxes & Economy

Alliance Still Fighting to Stop I-80 Tolling

  • November 9, 2009

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again – seems to be the motto of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission as they seek once again to Toll I-80. The…

Media

Read More: Alliance Still Fighting to Stop I-80 Tolling

Energy

End Rate Caps to Create Electric Choice and Competition

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 9, 2009

Concern about potential price hikes in the midst of a recession may motivate some lawmakers to push for legislation to halt or delay that expiration under the guise of consumer…

Commentary

Read More: End Rate Caps to Create Electric Choice and Competition

Regulation

Worst Idea for Fixing State Pensions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 9, 2009

Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord told the Pocono Record that now is the time to address the state pension crisis, rather than later, a point the Commonwealth Foundation agrees…

Media

Read More: Worst Idea for Fixing State Pensions

Taxes & Economy

A Brilliant Idea to Balance Cities’ Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2009

The city of Harrisburg is hiring a consultant to give some tips to balance its budget, ABC 27 reports. Lancaster, PA hired the same firm a few years ago…

Media

Read More: A Brilliant Idea to Balance Cities’ Budget

Government Accountability

Big Government Leads to Big Lobbying

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 8, 2009

The Philadelphia Inquirer has a story today that Pennsylvania business groups – especially in natural gas, tobacco, and gambling industries – spent a lot of money lobbying during the…

Media

Read More: Big Government Leads to Big Lobbying

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Voters Reject Property Tax Hikes

  • November 6, 2009

With an already-weakened economy that has put Pennsylvania families on a tight budget, Monroe County taxpayers finally said “enough is enough!” when confronted with two referendums on Tuesday’s ballot calling…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Voters Reject Property Tax Hikes

Regulation

Newspapers Endorse Pennsylvania Liquor Store Privatization

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2009

Following our report showing that moving from state-run liquor stores to licensure has little impact on alcohol consumption, underage drinking, and DUI rates, Pennsylvania papers are again joining the…

Media

Read More: Newspapers Endorse Pennsylvania Liquor Store Privatization

Taxes & Economy

V and American Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2009

While attending a conference in North Carolina, and staying in the same room Yogi Berra did (though not on the same night), Joe Sterns and I caught the premier…

Media

Read More: V and American Politics

Health Care

Guide to Pelosi-Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2009

The Heritage Foundation has some resources on the latest health care bill being pushed by US House Democrats, including a summary of the legislation, and the full…

Media

Read More: Guide to Pelosi-Care

Taxes & Economy

Lies, More Lies, and Statistics

  • November 4, 2009

On Oct 10, Pennsylvania released a preliminary report on received ARRA (i.e. “simulus”) funds.  The study concluded that “$262,592,907.68 has been spent to date and 1,408 direct full-time equivalent…

Media

Read More: Lies, More Lies, and Statistics

Regulation

PA Homeowners Come Second To Horse Racing Industry

  • November 3, 2009

The Pennsylvania Legislature’s willingness to succumb to special interests has been well documented by the Commonwealth Foundation, but the amount of attention given to the horse racing industry is…

Media

Read More: PA Homeowners Come Second To Horse Racing Industry

State Budget

Pennsylvania’s October Revenues Fall Short

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 3, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released October revenue collections.  Once again, the numbers fell short of projections – the state is now $160 short of estimate for the fiscal…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s October Revenues Fall Short

Regulation

Rendell Teaches Obama How to Create Phony Jobs

  • November 2, 2009

A report released on Friday by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services shows 7,400 jobs have been either created or retained(Capitolwire Subscription) in Pennsylvania using federal stimulus dollars. Jim…

Media

Read More: Rendell Teaches Obama How to Create Phony Jobs

Taxes & Economy

Turnpike Drama Continues

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 2, 2009

Turnpike Officials have admitted that a grand jury has been investigating the commission for at least five months. Although this investigation is separate from the shady dealings surrounding the Valley…

Media

Read More: Turnpike Drama Continues

Taxes & Economy

How Valuable is I-80 Tolling?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 2, 2009

When the Federal Highway Administration rejected the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s proposal to toll I-80, one of the numerous reasons was there had been no…

Media

Read More: How Valuable is I-80 Tolling?

State Budget

Spending Limits: Not Special Exemptions

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 30, 2009

Yesterday, Republican state Rep. Sam Rohrer of Berks County introduced legislation to help local governments cope with declining revenues, ever-increasing amounts of regulation and new programs from…

Media

Read More: Spending Limits: Not Special Exemptions

Criminal Justice Reform

Mandatory Minimum Sentences Increase Costs

  • October 30, 2009

A study by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing found that mandatory minimum sentences increase the cost of the corrections system without decreasing crime. Corrections costs are already a major…

Media

Read More: Mandatory Minimum Sentences Increase Costs

Taxes & Economy

Taxpayers Flee High Tax States

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 29, 2009

Our friends at the Empire Center for New York State Policy has a new report on the “exodus” of residents from New York to other states. The report is…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Flee High Tax States