Regulation
Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic Economics
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Vice President Kamala Harris wants to make groceries cheaper. However, her vague proposal to ban “price gouging” will have the opposite effect. Economists,…
Read More: Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic EconomicsEvery 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.
Related Issues
Regulation
Rocky Balboa and the trouble with occupational licensing
The Moving Pictures Institute has put together the clip from Rocky Balboa in which Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) fights the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission for his right to box.
Media
Read More: Rocky Balboa and the trouble with occupational licensingRegulation
Cigarette Taxes Encourage Smuggling
A new report from the Mackinac Center (full 99 page report here) estimates the effect of cigarette taxes on smuggling of cigarettes (both “commercial” and “casual” – i.e.
Media
Read More: Cigarette Taxes Encourage SmugglingState Budget
How far will freezing pay go in solving Pennsylvania’s budget crisis?
Governor Rendell’s recent pronouncement that he will freeze the pay of 13,600 Pennsylvania state workers (this doesn’t apply to 62,000 unionize employees) is estimate to save about $14…
Media
Read More: How far will freezing pay go in solving Pennsylvania’s budget crisis?Taxes & Economy
Deficit spending, taxes, and economic stimulus
The latest Heritage Foundation WebMemo looks takes on the idea that “deficit spending” is a good stimulus for the economy, given the upcoming federal deficit is going to the…
Media
Read More: Deficit spending, taxes, and economic stimulusTaxes & Economy
Governors Against State Bailouts
While Governor Rendell and others state executives are asking for taxpayers to bail them out (see related article in The Bulletin) but want to pass the buck…
Media
Read More: Governors Against State BailoutsState Budget
Pennsylvania budget shortfall grows to $658 million
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has released the November Revenue Collections, showing the state General Fund collections now $658 million below estimate.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall grows to $658 millionState Budget
Spend Like It’s 2007
Commonwealth’s revenue shortfall grows to $658 million HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today renewed its call for restrained state government spending in the wake of a growing revenue…
Press Release
Read More: Spend Like It’s 2007Taxes & Economy
Is Greenspan to blame for the financial crisis?
Over at the Cato Institute, there seems to be some disagreement over to what extent Alan Greenspan and the Federal Reserve contributed to the present financial “crisis”. Some…
Media
Read More: Is Greenspan to blame for the financial crisis?Regulation
Pension Pain
Cross Posted at Capitol Domes The stock market’s steep decline is a source of angst for all those whose retirement account balances have taken a nosedive. The financial…
Media
Read More: Pension PainTaxes & Economy
The Bailout Explained in Two Minutes
If you’re having trouble understanding all the bailouts in Washington, then watch this two-minute YouTube video clip and you’ll learn everything you need to know… 🙂…
Media
Read More: The Bailout Explained in Two MinutesTaxes & Economy
Stimulus Follies
OpenMarket.org has a good post on the failure of “stimulus” packages (i.e. government spending) to improve the overall economy.
Media
Read More: Stimulus FolliesTaxes & Economy
County Commissioner: “Listen to the Commonwealth Foundation”
“The governor and legislators should seriously consider the reports from the Commonwealth Foundation which provided information on how Harrisburg could address the state’s financial situation” That quote comes from Fayette…
Media
Read More: County Commissioner: “Listen to the Commonwealth Foundation”Taxes & Economy
What happened to the Great Depression II?
Carpe Diem points out that holiday retail sales were up over the weekend from last year. Yet the CNN Money article with the same chart contains more of…
Media
Read More: What happened to the Great Depression II?Regulation
Pennsylvania Pension Now Faces Billions in Losses
The Wall Street Journal has an article on Pennsylvania’s state employee’s pension fund, and its market losses. Noting that “Pennsylvania invested more in hedge funds than any other state…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pension Now Faces Billions in LossesRegulation
Spreading wealth to Hollywood
Cross Posted at Capitol Domes Giving handouts to Hollywood has become an en vogue method for state governments to stimulate economic growth. According to the Heartland…
Media
Read More: Spreading wealth to HollywoodRegulation
Renewing the Call for Pension Refom
Deb Erdley has a story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on pension funds for public school employees and state workers, in light of a PSBA plan for reform, recent losses…
Media
Read More: Renewing the Call for Pension RefomRegulation
The Corporate Welfare Mentality
Team 4 Pittsburgh has a well-done, but disturbing, story and video on why government bureaucrats hand out “economic development” grants to companies. Usually, government officials claim that taxpayer “investments”…
Media
Read More: The Corporate Welfare MentalityTaxes & Economy
Bailouts cost more than WWII, 10 times cost of New Deal
A friend passed along this blog post looking at the cost of recent bailouts compared to the inflation-adjusted cost of other major government expenditures: If we add in…
Media
Read More: Bailouts cost more than WWII, 10 times cost of New DealTaxes & Economy
Why Permanent Tax Cuts Are the Best Stimulus
John B. Taylor has an article in today’s Wall Street Journal concluding that – and this will shock Governor Rendell and the state treasurer – government spending is…
Media
Read More: Why Permanent Tax Cuts Are the Best StimulusRegulation
Why government spending is no economic stimulus
In my commentary today, I tackle the idea of “economic development” spending as a stimulus for economic growth, and contrast that with lower taxes. More detailed analysis of…
Media
Read More: Why government spending is no economic stimulusTaxes & Economy
Don’t know much about history? (or economics)?
The Intercollegiate Studies Institute released their latest report on Americans’ civic literacy (HT to Center for College Affordability). The results are not good. Click here to take…
Media
Read More: Don’t know much about history? (or economics)?