Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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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Regulation
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 GamesState Budget
Post-Gazette’s Nonsense on Pennsylvania Budget
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette editorial board cribs Gov. Rendell’s talking points on the state budget, and pastes it into an editorial. They state that lawmakers should not “balance…
Media
Read More: Post-Gazette’s Nonsense on Pennsylvania BudgetEducation
Who’s For the Children?
In the television comedy The Office, dim-witted boss Michael Scott remarks that he likes giving presents because they are “like this tangible thing that you can point to and say…
Commentary
Read More: Who’s For the Children?Taxes & Economy
Do Voters Want Higher Taxes?
On his blog with the Times Herald, state Senator Daylin Leach makes a couple of absurd claims. First he suggests that residents are more concerned about potholes than high…
Media
Read More: Do Voters Want Higher Taxes?Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Gets Another Poor Grade for Business Climate
CNBC has compiled a ranking of “America’s Best States for Business.” Pennsylvania ranks 33rd overall on their index, and gets very poor marks on categories “Cost of Business”, “Workforce”,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Gets Another Poor Grade for Business ClimateHealth Care
Obama Surtax Effects in Pennsylvania
The Heritage Foundation has the breakdown of how many Pennsylvania residents and small businesses would be effected by the “surtax” to pay for nationalize health care (HT to…
Media
Read More: Obama Surtax Effects in PennsylvaniaState Budget
Pennsylvania Budget Proposals Compared
Here are some resources for comparing the various Pennsylvania state budget proposals. Pennsylvania House Democrats Budget, By the Numbers PA House GOP Budget by the Numbers PA…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Proposals ComparedHealth Care
Coalition of Groups Against Government-Run Health Care
The Commonwealth Foundation has joined a coalition of national organizations in sendinga letter to members of Congress opposing government-run health insurance, individual or employer mandates, and government rationing of…
Media
Read More: Coalition of Groups Against Government-Run Health CareHealth Care
ObamaCare vs. Free Market Solutions
The Heritage Foundation has a new analysis of the US House Democrats’ health care bill, showing that over 80 million people would lose their private insurance, and costs for…
Media
Read More: ObamaCare vs. Free Market SolutionsGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania, A Sinner In The Tort Liability Index
The Pacific Research Institute’s study of Tort Reform among states examines 25 reforms adopted by states in an effort to control tort law suit losses and tort insurance programs. According…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania, A Sinner In The Tort Liability IndexTaxes & Economy
Why Pennsylvania Should Not Build High-Speed Rail
Last week, Gov. Rendell submitted an application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a share of the $8 billion of stimulus money Congress allocated for high-speed rail. This raises…
Commentary
Read More: Why Pennsylvania Should Not Build High-Speed RailState Budget
Is Rendell Violating the Federal Minimum Wage Act?
Here’s a note from a state worker that asks us an interesting question: Is Rendell violating the federal Minimum Wage Act (which goes up again this week)…
Media
Read More: Is Rendell Violating the Federal Minimum Wage Act?State Budget
How Much Did Pennsylvania Spend Last Year?
Here is a simple question: Given we have closed the books on last year’s state budget for three weeks, how much did Pennsylvania spend last year? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t…
Media
Read More: How Much Did Pennsylvania Spend Last Year?State Budget
Good Pennsylvania State Budget Questions I Can’t Answer
A reader sent us this, which is an excellent question about how many state worker will really have to be laid off: I have heard a lot of…
Media
Read More: Good Pennsylvania State Budget Questions I Can’t AnswerTaxes & Economy
Minimum wage up again
On Friday, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage will increase ten cents, to $7.25 an hour. During already troubling economic times, the increase in minimum wage will hurt business, and will not…
Media
Read More: Minimum wage up againState Budget
Pennsylvania Taxpayers Spend $1 Million to Entertain Lawmakers from Other States
This week, Philadelphia plays host to the National Conference of State Legislatures conference. No Pennsylvania legislators have been able to attend the gathering because they’re needed in Harrisburg for…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Taxpayers Spend $1 Million to Entertain Lawmakers from Other StatesRegulation
Gaming Board Cashing Out
It is common knowledge that the Gaming Control Board, and its employees, receive generous paychecks, fatter than they deserve relative to the prevailing market for comparable work and skills.
Media
Read More: Gaming Board Cashing OutState Budget
Your $28 Million Dollar Pork Dinner
With growing criticism of the effectiveness of President Obama $787 billion dollar economic stimulus plan mounting, several recent purchases by the Department of Agriculture have American taxpayers in a…
Media
Read More: Your $28 Million Dollar Pork DinnerState Budget
Who’s Telling Half-Truths on Pennsylvania Budget?
Chuck Ardo, the Governor’s spokesman, became incensed (as reported by John Micek) when Sen. Piccola made a strong comment against the governor. During last night’s Senate debate on a…
Media
Read More: Who’s Telling Half-Truths on Pennsylvania Budget?State Budget
Best Budget Practices For Legislators
Scott Pattison, the executive director of National Association of Budget Officers, in an interview with the Mercatus Center brought to light the most important question he feels legislators…
Media
Read More: Best Budget Practices For Legislators