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

PA Governor Releases April Fool’s Joke Too Early

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 31, 2009

Governor Rendell has a great April Fool’s gag, announcing a Pennsylvania “Stimulus Czar” (like anyone would think that’s a real job) that pays $120,000 per year for part-time work.

Media

Read More: PA Governor Releases April Fool’s Joke Too Early

Regulation

Corporate Welfare Fails to Save PA Jobs

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 31, 2009

Amazon is closing distribution centers in three states, including one in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Just last year the state “helped” the world’s leading on-line retailer to open a new…

Media

Read More: Corporate Welfare Fails to Save PA Jobs

Public Union Democracy

Union Intimidation in Action

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 31, 2009

Unions claim they won’t use intimidation as one of their tactics if the Employee Free Choice Act, a.k.a. “Card Check” is passed, eliminating the secret ballot in union elections. But…

Media

Read More: Union Intimidation in Action

State Budget

Updated Pennsylvania Revenue Shortfall Projections

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 31, 2009

Following an Open Records request, the PA Office of the Budget provided us the their latest projections for General Fund revenue collections. The number for media, lawmakers, and policy nerds…

Media

Read More: Updated Pennsylvania Revenue Shortfall Projections

Government Accountability

Gov. Creates Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Board

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 30, 2009

John Micek has the list of appointees (sans the GOP caucus appointments) to Gov. Rendell’s Stimulus Oversight Commission.  Unfortunately, the panel includes no representation by taxpayers, with the exception…

Media

Read More: Gov. Creates Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Board

Taxes & Economy

Rich State, Poor State

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 30, 2009

ALEC has released the 2nd edition of their Economic Competitiveness Index – Rich States, Poor States – which looks at which policies drive economic growth among states, and which…

Media

Read More: Rich State, Poor State

Taxes & Economy

Demint on Charity

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 27, 2009

Jim Demint gives some great remarks on why government cannot, and should not, force individuals to be more charitable and volunteer more. More Reading on Charity and Government…

Media

Read More: Demint on Charity

Taxes & Economy

Dozens of Tea Parties Coming to Pennsylvania

  • March 26, 2009

In conjunction with the Tax Day Tea Party Movement, the Commonwealth Foundation is organizing another  Harrisburg Tea Party, to be held on the Capitol Steps at noon on…

Press Release

Read More: Dozens of Tea Parties Coming to Pennsylvania

Government Accountability

Veon Fallout: An End to WAMs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 26, 2009

Yesterday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced additional charges against former Rep. Mike Veon and staffer Annamarie Peretta-Rosepink for their role in directing state funds to the Beaver Initiative…

Media

Read More: Veon Fallout: An End to WAMs

Taxes & Economy

Bush vs, Obama Deficit in Picture

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 26, 2009

Here is a frightening picture of the projected federal deficit, courtesy the Heritage Foundation. They go on to comment…

Media

Read More: Bush vs, Obama Deficit in Picture

Government Accountability

Tea Party Food Drive

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2009

Our office is abuzz with preparations for the Harrisburg Tax Day Tea Party. We can’t wait to see you all on April 15th! We wanted to let you know…

Media

Read More: Tea Party Food Drive

Taxes & Economy

Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike Lease

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2009

The Pew Center on the States has a new report out offering lessons to Pennsylvania and other states on the proposed deal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike (full…

Media

Read More: Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike Lease

Health Care

A Bad Deal on Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2009

This AP story reports that AHIP and Blue Cross Blue Shield are willing to “compromise” on health care reform – ending the practice of “charging higher premiums to…

Media

Read More: A Bad Deal on Health Care

Regulation

State Regulation of Bake Sales Goes Too Far

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2009

Hat Tip to Tom Shaheen of the PA Family Institute for this story of the weird/big government.  It turns out that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has been…

Media

Read More: State Regulation of Bake Sales Goes Too Far

Taxes & Economy

State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2009

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…

Media

Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking

Taxes & Economy

State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2009

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…

Media

Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo

  • March 23, 2009

ABC 27 has a story on the amount of OPM – “other people’s money,” i.e. taxpayers – used to defend former Sen. Vince Fumo, who was convicted of illegally…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo

Government Accountability

Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 23, 2009

ABC 27 has a story on the amount of OPM – “other people’s money,” i.e. taxpayers – used to defend former Sen. Vince Fumo, who was convicted of illegally…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo

Taxes & Economy

Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 23, 2009

Governor Rendell has promptly dumped Mitchell Rubin as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and replaced him with Michael Pratt of Pepper Hamilton LLP.  Toll Roads News…

Media

Read More: Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike

Taxes & Economy

Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 23, 2009

Governor Rendell has promptly dumped Mitchell Rubin as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and replaced him with Michael Pratt of Pepper Hamilton LLP.  Toll Roads News…

Media

Read More: Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike

Regulation

No “Property Tax Relief” This Year?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 23, 2009

Sharon Smith writes that the slots taxes may not generate enough revenue to trigger property relief this year.  By law, the Property Tax Relief Fund must have $570 million…

Media

Read More: No “Property Tax Relief” This Year?