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.

State Budget

Shovel Ready?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 14, 2009

In discussion of a “stimulus” plan/bailout of state and local governments, a lot of has been made of funding “shovel ready” projects – thus leading to governors and mayors putting…

Media

Read More: Shovel Ready?

Regulation

Kicking and screaming over soccer stadium

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 13, 2009

Delware County Councilman Andy Lewis is fighting against taxpayer funding for the proposed soccer stadium in Chester, noting (among other things) that Major League Soccer might go under, leaving…

Media

Read More: Kicking and screaming over soccer stadium

Taxes & Economy

Stimu-less

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 13, 2009

Lots of good explanation of why a federal “economic stimulus” is likely to fail. The Heritage Foundation has the “Do’s and Don’ts of an Economic Stimulus” – unfortunately all…

Media

Read More: Stimu-less

Taxes & Economy

We spent taxpayer money on this #@!$?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2009

Suppose you were faced with a major revenue shorfall and had to prioritize spending. Would you: 1) Give employees their promised raises or2) Produce a website/video…

Media

Read More: We spent taxpayer money on this #@!$?

State Budget

The façade of Pennsylvania’a state budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2009

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a story on how state taxpayer funding is available for business façades. The real façade is that the state budget is “cut to the…

Media

Read More: The façade of Pennsylvania’a state budget

Health Care

What Medicaid Tells Us About Government Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2009

In the Wall Street Journal, Scott Gottlieb notes the poor performance of Medicaid, and wonders why President-elect Obama (or Governor Rendell) would want to expand on such a…

Media

Read More: What Medicaid Tells Us About Government Health Care

Taxes & Economy

Movin’ Out of Pennsylvania in 2008

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 9, 2009

United Van Lines has released their 2008 migration study, detailing shipments into and out of each state. Pennsylvania saw 58% of movement leaving the state, ranking as the…

Media

Read More: Movin’ Out of Pennsylvania in 2008

Taxes & Economy

More on the Porn Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 8, 2009

As mentioned here yesterday, the Porn Industry (led by Hustler’s Larry Flynt and Girl’s Gone Wild‘s Joe Francis) is seeking a federal bailout.  I’m not sure if they are…

Media

Read More: More on the Porn Bailout

Taxes & Economy

Bailout for the Porn Industry?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 7, 2009

I knew this was coming: Porn industry seeks federal bailout.  The Internet and globalization have hit Penthouse and Girls Gone Wild Pretty brands…

Media

Read More: Bailout for the Porn Industry?

Taxes & Economy

Talking economics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 7, 2009

The podcast from yesterday’s Pittsburgh Renaissance Radio with Matt Brouillette features discussion of a federal bailout of the states, “economic stimulus”, and Pennsylvania’s budget crunch. Full Program…

Media

Read More: Talking economics

Taxes & Economy

Economists against a “stimulus”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 7, 2009

Even though the Obama administration claims all economists recognize the inherent brilliance of a proposed economic stimulus (which includes a bailout of the states, “infrastructure” spend, and “rebate” checks…

Media

Read More: Economists against a “stimulus”

State Budget

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | January 2009

  • January 6, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the December revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $815 million short for the fiscal year to date. This shortfall exceeds the…

Press Release

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | January 2009

Education

Film: A Stone’s Throw

  • January 6, 2009

Our sister think tank, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, recently released “A Stone’s Throw.” The film documents the frustrations of parents in Mississippi–a state notorious for its low…

Media

Read More: Film: A Stone’s Throw

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expected

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 6, 2009

In our latest Pennsylvania Deficit Watch update, we take a look at the current state revenue shortfall, noting Governor Rendell’s revised estimate of a $1.6 Billion shorftall for…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania budget shortfall more than expected

Government Accountability

Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 6, 2009

As new legislators are coming to Harrisburg to be sworn in, Brad Bumsted reports that the Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have spent $1 million in legal fees (despite the number…

Media

Read More: Another $1 million spent to defend lawmakers in “Bonusgate”

Regulation

Downsize the Federal Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 2, 2009

Cato Institute video on “Downsizing the Federal Government” starting with the US Department of Agriculture. If, like me, you thought that the Dept. of Agriculture was a relatively small…

Media

Read More: Downsize the Federal Government

Regulation

New Pollution Regulations Will Cost You

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 30, 2008

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania DEP reinstated CAIR (the Clean Air Interstate Rule) after a successful appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. In July, the…

Media

Read More: New Pollution Regulations Will Cost You

Taxes & Economy

Is Christmas bad for the Economy?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 29, 2008

Readers who are spending this week returning gifts they don’t really want – or those who think Wal-Mart playing Jingle…

Media

Read More: Is Christmas bad for the Economy?

Regulation

Snyder County refuses Boscov’s Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 29, 2008

Officials in Snyder County are refusing to back a loan as part of the Boscov’s Bailout – even though Pennsylvania officials are pressuring them to do so, arguing…

Media

Read More: Snyder County refuses Boscov’s Bailout