Fairness
A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible
Originally published by Penn Live. We hate to say, “We told you so.” But when it comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) demanding another state bailout, we told…
Read More: A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is IrresponsibleEvery 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.
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Taxes & Economy
Make Drill Here, Drill Now a Reality
Remember Drill Here Drill Now campaign? It’s one approval away from becoming a reality. As of October 1, 2008 no moratoriums exist on offshore oil and gas development, however,…
Media
Read More: Make Drill Here, Drill Now a RealityState Budget
Ed Rendell Demands More Taxes
At a press conference yesterday, Gov. Rendell says he will “compromise” on the budget – so long as he gets $1.6 billion in new revenue. That he, he needs…
Media
Read More: Ed Rendell Demands More TaxesHealth Care
Universal Healthcare Will Render Us Poorer
The democrat health-care system is a systematic move toward a single payer universal health-care system. President Barack Obama has contended that the private system will continue to exist, but…
Media
Read More: Universal Healthcare Will Render Us PoorerState Budget
State of Pennsylvania has 5,000 Vacant Positions
In response to a recent question posed us – about how many actual workers vs. unfilled positions Gov. Rendell would have to eliminate when he talks about cutting state…
Media
Read More: State of Pennsylvania has 5,000 Vacant PositionsState Budget
What Do July Revenue Collections Mean?
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the July 2009 revenue collections yesterday. The state collected $1.65 billion in General Fund revenue in July. Normally, this report would include how…
Media
Read More: What Do July Revenue Collections Mean?State Budget
States Have Only Themselves to Blame for Fiscal Mess
Steve Chapman writes on Reason.com that there’s nothing surprising about the crises in state budgets though it apparently caught many governors and legislators by surprise. States dramatically increased spending…
Media
Read More: States Have Only Themselves to Blame for Fiscal MessState Budget
If Only Congress Passed an “Economics for Dummies” Program
It always amuses me to see “cash for clunkers” ads on TV these days. This government subsidized program, like hundreds of others, has been a tremendous failure. The transportation…
Media
Read More: If Only Congress Passed an “Economics for Dummies” ProgramState Budget
What the #$#! is Going on with Pennsylvania Budget?
If you are following any of the proceedings on the Pennsylvania budget – such as #pabudget on Twitter – you will find a lot has changed with nothing really…
Media
Read More: What the #$#! is Going on with Pennsylvania Budget?Health Care
The Two Big Lies of Health Care “Reform”
Here are a couple of good readings on health care policy: The Hoover Institution has a “second opinion” with ten reasons why health care in the U.S. is…
Media
Read More: The Two Big Lies of Health Care “Reform”Taxes & Economy
Where Were These Guys a Few Months Ago?
At a recent town-hall meeting, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said he had to ‘hold my nose’ over bailouts. I wish he had expressed some of those misgivings when…
Media
Read More: Where Were These Guys a Few Months Ago?Taxes & Economy
Energy Conservation Myth is a Vicious Cycle
Studies from the McKinsey group and National Research Council released this week claim that we can substantially reduce the country’s energy usage (15-32% by 2020) by replacing inefficient appliances…
Media
Read More: Energy Conservation Myth is a Vicious CycleRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Flawed Film Tax Credit: What the ERA study won’t tell you
The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee contracted with Economics Research Associates (ERA)1 to analyze Pennsylvania’s Film Tax Credit (FTC). In general, the ERA report, “Pennsylvania’s Film Production Tax Credit…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Flawed Film Tax Credit: What the ERA study won’t tell youHealth Care
Reasons ObamaCare Is Wrong for America
The Heritage Foundation has, on their new health care website, the Top 10 Reasons Obamacare Is Wrong for America, starting with the fact that individuals would lose their current…
Media
Read More: Reasons ObamaCare Is Wrong for AmericaGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania Pulls the Shade on Sunshine
Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette issued the following statement today in response to closed-door budget negotiations between Gov. Rendell and selected legislative leaders: “A mere…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Pulls the Shade on SunshineTaxes & Economy
Federal Spending by the Numbers
The Heritage Foundation has a new report on federal spending. The short document includes lots of good tables and charts showing the effects of Bush-Obama spending increases.
Media
Read More: Federal Spending by the NumbersEnergy
Electricity Restructuring and Rate Caps
With electricity rate caps expiring, state lawmakers are concerned that Pennsylvanians will see steep increases in their utility bills. What will happen as the electricity deregulation, which is more accurately…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Electricity Restructuring and Rate CapsRegulation
Rendell, Harley Davidson, and Lando
In Empire Strikes Back, Lando Calrissian tells his old friend Han Solo that “I’ve just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here forever” before leading…
Media
Read More: Rendell, Harley Davidson, and LandoTaxes & Economy
Penn State Study Reveals Devastating Effects of Gas Severance Tax
A recent study conducted by researchers at Penn State revealed the negative effects of Gov. Rendell’s proposed severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania. The northern tier of…
Media
Read More: Penn State Study Reveals Devastating Effects of Gas Severance TaxGovernment Accountability
Victory for Transparency in State Government
HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matt Brouillette issued the following statement today in response to the General Assembly’s decision to make Conference Committee meetings on the state…
Press Release
Read More: Victory for Transparency in State GovernmentRegulation
States Face $558 Billion in Unfunded Retiree Health Care Liabilities
Reason’s Out of Control blog notes a new report detailing that states cumulatively face $558 billion in unfunded retiree health care benefits. Pennsylvania doesn’t seem to be in…
Media
Read More: States Face $558 Billion in Unfunded Retiree Health Care LiabilitiesState Budget
PA Senate Democrats Still Playing Games
Yesterday, the Senate rejected a bill to fund the University of Pittsburgh by a 30-20 vote. (It was actually 30 ‘yes’ votes, but the bill needed 2/3 majority to pass. …
Media
Read More: PA Senate Democrats Still Playing Games