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

Spending Under President George W. Bush

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 21, 2009

The Mercatus Center has a final analysis of spending under the Bush presidency – including the growth in spending, comparisons to Clinton and previous spender, pork projects, and growth…

Media

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Education

Bailouts and Bull

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 20, 2009

John Stossel’s latest 20/20 special on bailouts and bull debunks numerous big-government myths, including the bailout mentality.  Stosell also tackles toll road privatization, universal Pre-K, medical marijuana, the border…

Media

Read More: Bailouts and Bull

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Turnpike Chair Target of FBI

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 20, 2009

KYW Radio reports that Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitch Rubin is now the target of an FBI Corruption probe. This should not be a surprise, following the conviction…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Chair Target of FBI

Taxes & Economy

More on the AIG Bonuses

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2009

Greg Mankiw notes that the AIG bonuses, which seem to be such a focus of Congressional leaders these days, amount to 0.001% of GDP – a pretty trivial amount…

Media

Read More: More on the AIG Bonuses

Taxes & Economy

Does Pennsylvania Need to Fund Public TV?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2009

The Allegheny Institute has an excellent post on state funding of public television.  The local Pittsburgh station – WQED – is asking viewers to contribute “their two cents”; not…

Media

Read More: Does Pennsylvania Need to Fund Public TV?

Government Accountability

More Taxpayer Money Wasted on Promotions and Marketing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2009

I’m not sure if readers are aware of this, but Congress recently passed something called a “stimulus” bill a few weeks ago.  In order to publicize the stimulus funding,…

Media

Read More: More Taxpayer Money Wasted on Promotions and Marketing

Regulation

Gaming Control Board Under Fire

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 18, 2009

Sen. Jane Orie, Rep. Mike Vereb, and a few other Republican lawmakers teed off on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control board, for their travel habits during a travel ban. …

Media

Read More: Gaming Control Board Under Fire

Taxes & Economy

Who’s Really “Nuts” on Economic Policy?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 18, 2009

We posted yesterday on the Turzai-Quigley proposal to cut state spending and tax rates.  Today Governor Rendell called Turzai “nuts” and his plan “ludicrous“.  Rendell has previously lambasted…

Media

Read More: Who’s Really “Nuts” on Economic Policy?

Health Care

Free Markets: An Unknown Ideal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 17, 2009

President Obama, Governor Rendell, and many in the media have been echoing a similar refrain recently, "Conservatives had their chance.  We tried free markets, and they failed."  When exactly they…

Commentary

Read More: Free Markets: An Unknown Ideal

Regulation

Representatives Propose Putting State Government on a Diet

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 17, 2009

State Representatives Mike Turzai and Tom Quigley unveiled a plan to cut about $170 million wasteful spending from the Pennsylvania state budget ($130 million relative to Gov. Rendell’s proposed…

Media

Read More: Representatives Propose Putting State Government on a Diet

Regulation

State Employees Take Taxpayer-Funded Trips

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 13, 2009

Team 4 has an amazing exposé of taxpayer-funded travel by Pennsylvania state employees, in particular the gaming control board–after a travel ban was implement.  Here are some of the…

Media

Read More: State Employees Take Taxpayer-Funded Trips

Taxes & Economy

Scotland Students Need More Educational Choices

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 13, 2009

To plug a $2.3 billion deficit caused by overspending, Gov. Rendell has proposed closing the Scotland School for Veterans' Children.  Although the $13 million in state funds the school received…

Commentary

Read More: Scotland Students Need More Educational Choices

State Budget

Obama’s Budget: More of the Same You Can Believe In

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2009

The Cato Institute’s Chris Edwards has the latest Tax and Budget bulletin, with an updated analysis of spending by president. The bulletin reiterates what Cato has been saying…

Media

Read More: Obama’s Budget: More of the Same You Can Believe In

State Budget

Sanford to Refuse Stimulus Funds – Example for Rendell

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 11, 2009

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has announced he will reject much of the federal stimulus dollars coming to his state.  Like Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, he recognizes that…

Media

Read More: Sanford to Refuse Stimulus Funds – Example for Rendell

Education

Upcoming Opportunities for Students

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 11, 2009

The Commonwealth Foundation has a number of great opportunities for students to learn more about economics, public policy, and the importance of liberty. Please, No More Taxes! Video Contest- Win…

Media

Read More: Upcoming Opportunities for Students

Taxes & Economy

Establishing the “Facts” about Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2009

Chuck Ardo – spokesman for Gov. Rendell – has an op-ed in Sunday’s Patriot News about what a great success Gov. Rendell’s economic policy has been.  This taxpayer-funded propaganda…

Media

Read More: Establishing the “Facts” about Pennsylvania’s Economy

Health Care

Will Rendell Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2009

Governor Rendell announced a number of new proposals increasing the number of people in Adult Basic health care, shifting funds to help with mortgage assistance and home heating cost.

Media

Read More: Will Rendell Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs?

Taxes & Economy

On Specter’s Economic Remarks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 9, 2009

Roxbury News has posted video of Arlen Specter’s remarks yesterday (part II here) at the State Capitol.  Three things really bother me regarding his defense of his vote…

Media

Read More: On Specter’s Economic Remarks

Taxes & Economy

Money Squanderers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 9, 2009

Brad Bumsted has an excellent op-ed on why Pennsylvania lawmakers’ Bibles, gifts from the speaker, legal fees, and the like are just a few among many…

Media

Read More: Money Squanderers

Taxes & Economy

Freedom in Pennsylvania and the 50 states

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 9, 2009

The Mercatus Center has a new report ranking freedom – both personal and economic – in the 50 states.  Overall, they rank Pennsylvania 20th. See a related story…

Media

Read More: Freedom in Pennsylvania and the 50 states