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.

Education

Overspending Schools Don’t Need More Taxpayer Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 2, 2009

NYTimes article (registration required) looks at how much of the federal “stimulus” money would go to school spending, particularly for school construction.  Critics and supporters alike…

Media

Read More: Overspending Schools Don’t Need More Taxpayer Funding

Taxes & Economy

Should government get bigger, or smaller?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 2, 2009

Richard Rahn has a commentary for the Cato Institute on the “optimal size of government”.  He takes the premise that we need some level of government (to protect our…

Media

Read More: Should government get bigger, or smaller?

Taxes & Economy

501 added to Pa. payroll since state hiring freeze

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2009

AP story on the 501 employees hired since the hiring freeze, including several over $100,000 (former legislator Dan Surra, for whom a new $95,000 position was created, just missed…

Media

Read More: 501 added to Pa. payroll since state hiring freeze

Taxes & Economy

The Super Bowl (Economic Version): Phoenix vs. Pittsburgh

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2009

Harold Miller has an interesting blog post, featuring a few graphs, comparing the economic growth of the Pittsburgh region to the Phoenix region – the two hometowns for tonight’s…

Media

Read More: The Super Bowl (Economic Version): Phoenix vs. Pittsburgh

Regulation

PA Judge Overturns State Mercury Rule

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2009

A Pennsylvania judge ruled that a state-specific regulation on mercury emissions (one that was put into place by the Department of Environmental Protection over the objections of many…

Media

Read More: PA Judge Overturns State Mercury Rule

Health Care

Stimulating Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 30, 2009

The Galen Institute has a new analysis of health care proposal in the propose “economic stimulus”, specifically proposals moving toward greater federalization of health care, which has indeed been…

Media

Read More: Stimulating Government

Taxes & Economy

Rendell previews budget plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 30, 2009

The Altoona Mirror has a good summary of things to expect when Governor Rendell unveils the budget next week. The problems of a poor economy are compounded by…

Media

Read More: Rendell previews budget plan

Education

Adam Smith Courses

  • January 29, 2009

Our friends at the Wynnewood Institute are hosting a seminar series on the writings of Adam Smith, who is sometimes referred to as the “father of economics.” The series…

Media

Read More: Adam Smith Courses

Taxes & Economy

PA Business Groups Offer Budget Ideas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 29, 2009

A coalition of business association and groups unveiled their recommendations for reforming Pennsylvania’s budget process and improving the business climate: Oppose increasing taxes on the job creators, including…

Media

Read More: PA Business Groups Offer Budget Ideas

Taxes & Economy

Layoffs coming for Pennsylvania state workers?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 28, 2009

Governor Rendell’s latest statements about the state budget are that 1,000 to 2,000 state workers could be laid off (or have unfilled positions eliminated).  The head of the AFSCME…

Media

Read More: Layoffs coming for Pennsylvania state workers?

Regulation

Endorsement for Pension Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 28, 2009

The Courier Expess expresses support for moving Pennsylvania state and school district employees to a 401(k) model defined contribution retirement plan. Specifically, they mention the proposal put forth…

Media

Read More: Endorsement for Pension Reform

Taxes & Economy

200 Economists Against a Stimulus

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 28, 2009

In defiance of President Obama’s proclamation that every agrees we need more government spending to “simulate” the economy, the Cato Institute has put together a list of 200 economists…

Media

Read More: 200 Economists Against a Stimulus

Public Union Democracy

Putting Taxpayers First?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 27, 2009

A group of Pennsylvania House Republicans today announced a series of proposals intended to reduce government spending and revitalize the Pennsylvania economy. Among the proposals: Implementing constitutional or statutory…

Media

Read More: Putting Taxpayers First?

Taxes & Economy

Stimulus: Good For Government, Bad For the Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 27, 2009

This video by Dan Mitchell on the stimulus offers a quick primer on the “stimulus” package, and why government spending will fail – and why previous expansions of government…

Media

Read More: Stimulus: Good For Government, Bad For the Economy

Regulation

Six Years of Rendells Stimulus is Enough

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 27, 2009

Gov. Ed Rendell is, as head of the National Governor’s Association as well as the chief of a state facing a major revenue shortfall, leading the push for a federal…

Commentary

Read More: Six Years of Rendells Stimulus is Enough

Taxes & Economy

A bailout of the states rewards fiscal recklessness

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2009

The Wall Street Journal has a great article and graph (to the right) on how states have overspent, and are certainly not in need of a bailout from…

Media

Read More: A bailout of the states rewards fiscal recklessness

Taxes & Economy

Ode to Taxpayers’ Cars

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 25, 2009

The Auditor General recently release a new report on state-owned cars. Unless you are enjoying a taxpayer-owned Mercedes, this report won’t make you happy. The report mentions early and…

Media

Read More: Ode to Taxpayers’ Cars

Taxes & Economy

Royal Bank of Scotland to Sell Electricity in PA

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 23, 2009

The Tribune-Review reports The Royal Bank of Scotland is awaiting permission from the PUC to sell electricity to commercial and industrial customers across Pennsylvania. The change would give Pittsburgh…

Media

Read More: Royal Bank of Scotland to Sell Electricity in PA

Regulation

Those who do not learn from history …

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 23, 2009

Deb Erdley has an article in the Tribune Review about the increasing taxpayer cost for the Pittsburgh Penguins arena, as well as details on the $1.5 billion in borrowed…

Media

Read More: Those who do not learn from history …

State Budget

Rendell to layoff workers, keep rewarding allies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 22, 2009

Governor Rendell today announced that he projects Pennsylvania’s revenue shortfall to reach $2.3 billion, updated from $1.6 billion a month ago and $1.9 billion a week ago, suggesting their…

Media

Read More: Rendell to layoff workers, keep rewarding allies

Regulation

Boscov’s Bailout On the Ropes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 22, 2009

Butler County joined with Snyder County yesterday in rejecting the proposed loan for Boscov’s (HT Capitol Ideas). This puts state officials back to the drawing board to find…

Media

Read More: Boscov’s Bailout On the Ropes