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

State budget must be cut

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2008

The Citizens’ Voice has an editorial calling for state budget cuts giving the current crunch in the Pennsylvania state budget. Meanwhile, Gib Armstrong and other lawmakers continue…

Media

Read More: State budget must be cut

Regulation

Zack and Miri Take a Fortune

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2008

The City of Philadelphia has refused to allow posters for Zack and Miri Make a Porno on bus stops because they are deemed too seedy. (Hat Tip to…

Media

Read More: Zack and Miri Take a Fortune

State Budget

Earmark searches made easy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2008

The Seattle Times has a great tool for searching earmarks.  Not only can you find defense earmarks for each member of Congress, but they also report campaign contributions from…

Media

Read More: Earmark searches made easy

Taxes & Economy

Hugo Chavez: Bush is sociailist “comrade”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2008

Cato-at-liberty notes that Venezuelan would-be-dictator Hugo Chavez has welcomed President Bush into the socialist movement: Socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez mocked George W. Bush as a “comrade” on…

Media

Read More: Hugo Chavez: Bush is sociailist “comrade”

Health Care

Health Care Reform

  • October 16, 2008

Reform in health care should follow a few key principles: Give individuals and employers more choices in health care. Give them more freedom in choosing health care options.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Health Care Reform

Health Care

The Great Health Care Debate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2008

Bob Moffit of Heritage writes that we are at a crossroads in health care in term of the difference between McCain and Obama’s proposals.   The Commonwealth Foundation has said…

Media

Read More: The Great Health Care Debate

Taxes & Economy

“The Great Depression II”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2008

As most movie sequels are dwarfed by the original, so too does the rhetoric about the US sitting on the precipice of “another Great Depression” over-hype the current situation, and…

Media

Read More: “The Great Depression II”

State Budget

Capitol Domes: Fiscal Cliff Ahead

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 15, 2008

The Central Penn Business Journal launched Capitol Domes today (subscribe to the feed here), a new blog  featuring Matt Brouillette and Rock the Capital’s Eric Epstein.  Brouillette’s…

Media

Read More: Capitol Domes: Fiscal Cliff Ahead

Taxes & Economy

The Case for Corporate Tax Cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 14, 2008

The NCPA has a short primer on why the US (and Pennsylvania) should cut corporate tax rates. The US has the 2nd highest (to Japan) combined corporate tax rate. …

Media

Read More: The Case for Corporate Tax Cuts

Government Accountability

Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORN

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 14, 2008

Our sister think tank in Ohio has filed a RICO suit (i.e. for organized crime) against ACORN for voter fraud.  The full complaint is here. Since stories…

Media

Read More: Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORN

Health Care

Where will Canadians go for health care?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 13, 2008

A Canadian commented on a previous post that – even though he had to come to the US to receive health care – the Canadian system is better because…

Media

Read More: Where will Canadians go for health care?

Taxes & Economy

Make the bailout “investments” voluntary

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2008

Letter I sent to the President and my representatives in Congress: The recent bailout plan approved by Congress authorized the Dept. of the Treasury to purchase mortgages securities at above-market…

Media

Read More: Make the bailout “investments” voluntary

State Budget

Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2008

Recently, state Senators Gibson Armstrong (R, Lancaster) and Vince Fumo (D, Philadelphia) sounded the alarm that Pennsylvania will be facing a massive budget deficit by the end of the…

Commentary

Read More: Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)

Health Care

Is choosing your health care plan dangerous?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2008

Michael Cannon’s latest commentary on health care reform is a must read: What I saw next was even scarier: The presidential debate, where Barack Obama told me how…

Media

Read More: Is choosing your health care plan dangerous?

Taxes & Economy

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must go

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2008

Good article in the Christian Science Monitor on the need to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  The Heritage Foundation blog also discusses how Fannie Mae and Freddie…

Media

Read More: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must go

Taxes & Economy

Re-regulating Electricity

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 10, 2008

The Tribune-Review has an article breaking down the latest energy bill (HB2200). The bill seeks to regulate the “deregulation” process by: Mandating the installation of smart meters over a…

Media

Read More: Re-regulating Electricity

Regulation

Leasing Toll Roads, Airports, and Parking

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 9, 2008

There are several stories on privatization in the news lately on a number of fronts. First up is in the real value of toll roads – which should be read…

Media

Read More: Leasing Toll Roads, Airports, and Parking

Taxes & Economy

Rate Mitigation Debate Far From Over

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 8, 2008

In the past few weeks legislators have been negotiating to mitigate future electricity rate increases once rate caps expire. Here’s the details: The Governor and assembly leaders…

Media

Read More: Rate Mitigation Debate Far From Over

Public Union Democracy

Talking Teacher Strikes and the Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 8, 2008

Audio from yesterday’s Pittsburgh Renaissance Radio show hosted by Matt Brouillette is available for download. For individual segments: Matt talks with Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes…

Media

Read More: Talking Teacher Strikes and the Bailout