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.

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

Taxes & Economy

Tax Cuts, Not Government Spending, Good for Economic Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 1, 2009

There is a good piece in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal on the effect of government spending on economic growth.  The conclusion is that government spending does not “stimulate” the…

Media

Read More: Tax Cuts, Not Government Spending, Good for Economic Growth

Regulation

Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 1, 2009

There have been countless examples of failed corporate welfare under Governor Rendell, and Governor Ridge before him. The latest example coming from Lebanon, PA: Lebanon Daily News, August 14,…

Media

Read More: Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer Money

State Budget

Governing “Responsibly”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 1, 2009

Lowman Henry has another good commentary on the Pennsylvania state budget “deal” over at PA Town Hall: I find it interesting that when Democrats stick to…

Media

Read More: Governing “Responsibly”

State Budget

Pennsylvania Budget Deal Appears Dead

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 30, 2009

The news service Capitolwire (subscribers only) is reporting that PA House Democrat leaders are admitting they don’t have enough votes to pass the state budget deal, give all of…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Deal Appears Dead

Taxes & Economy

Cap-and-Trade Threatens Pennsylvania Agriculture

  • September 30, 2009

The PA Farm Bureau recently released an article in the September edition of Country Focus illustrating the stifling effects Waxman-Markey legislation will have on rural farming communities across Pennsylvania.

Media

Read More: Cap-and-Trade Threatens Pennsylvania Agriculture

State Budget

An Honest Budget Debate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 30, 2009

Gov. Rendell and many lawmakers continue to push higher taxes in Pennsylvania, using the rhetoric that if we don’t, students won’t learn,…

Media

Read More: An Honest Budget Debate