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

Video: Understanding The Financial Crisis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 9, 2009

Great (and frightening) video from Stop Spending Our Future on the costs of “fixing” the financial crisis.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Philadelphia Tries to Stop Tea Party

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 9, 2009

UPDATE: Victory ‘Thanks for everyone’s help in putting pressure on the city of Philadelphia! The problem has been resolved. They tea party is only required to pay for…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Big Business Still Loves Big Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 8, 2009

HT to Joe Collins for pointing me to Timothy Carney’s article in the Washington Examiner. Despite the oft-repeated rhetoric that free market advocates are the puppets of big…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Sunspot Recession Crisis

  • April 7, 2009

According to NASA, we are in the midst of the greatest sunspot recession since 1913. Analysts believed the sunspot recession had hit bottom in 2008, but activity has continued…

Media

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Energy

Electricity Deregulation: A Successful Transition

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 7, 2009

Most Pennsylvania residents will soon see significant increases in their electricity bills. Many state lawmakers are concerned about the political backlash they will receive as a result. But it is…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Citizens Protest Taxes with Tea Parties

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 7, 2009

The Pittsburgh Tribune review has a story on Tea Parties going on in Pennsylvania, and specifically in Pittsburgh, which has upcoming events with Alan Keyes and Glen Meakem speaking.  …

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | April 2009

  • April 3, 2009

Update on Pennsylvania’s Revenue Shortfall from the Commonwealth Foundation The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the March revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $1.61 billion short…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Please No More Taxes Video Contest Deadline Extended

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 3, 2009

The deadline for the Please No More Taxes Video Contest has been extended to June 1st! Are you tired of paying high taxes? Enter the Commonwealth Foundation’s “Please…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

FASB Eases “Mark to Market”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 3, 2009

The Federal Accounting Standards Board voted to ease “mark to market” accounting rules, which forced financial firms to markdown the value of their assets.  This is pretty wonkish, but…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Tax Freedom Day for PA is April 14

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 2, 2009

The Tax Foundation has released the latest report on Tax Freedom Day (get the Full Report in PDF). This year Tax Freedom Day will occur on April 13…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

A pop quiz on how Pa. leaders opt to spend your dollars

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 1, 2009

John Baer has a pop quiz on Pennsylvania’s recent government spending.  How much do you know about taxpayer-funded bonuses to legislative staffers, legal fees to defend those bonuses, international…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Union Bosses Dupe “Unlicensed” Blogger

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 1, 2009

In his blog today, John Micek makes a couple of jokes about “Joe the Plumber” – probably to avoid being called “Rat Rat Rat” by union bosses (who promise…

Media

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Regulation

Philadelphia’s “Pension Reform” is Generational Theft

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • March 31, 2009

Faced with significant budget deficits and the burden of ever-increasing pension contributions, Philadelphia is attempting to finesse itself out of a financial dilemma. In simple terms, the city cannot afford…

Commentary

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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