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

Lease it!, says The Times-Tribune

  • September 14, 2008

Editorial from The Times-Tribune makes part of the case for leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike now that the Federal Highway Administration has rejected a key feature of Act 44…

Media

Read More: Lease it!, says The Times-Tribune

Taxes & Economy

Turnpike lease on the move…

  • September 13, 2008

Toll Roads News is reporting that House Democratic Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans is ready to move the Turnpike lease bill, and additional support is gathering. Of course, the Turnpike…

Media

Read More: Turnpike lease on the move…

Taxes & Economy

Feds Reject Tolls on I-80

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 11, 2008

It’s official, the Pennyslvania Turnpike Comission’s attempt to toll I-80 has been denied by the Federal Highway Administration. See our news release…

Media

Read More: Feds Reject Tolls on I-80

Regulation

Thank You for (Not) Smoking

  • September 11, 2008

Pennsylvania’s smoking ban goes into effect today and has created a cloud of controversy statewide, with a less than enthusiastic response from the smoking public. The Department of Health has…

Media

Read More: Thank You for (Not) Smoking

Taxes & Economy

The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private Partnerships

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 11, 2008

Government officials continue to decry the terrible condition of the state’s roads, but this time real solutions like public-private partnerships are receiving some support. On Monday, the House Transportation Committee…

Media

Read More: The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private Partnerships

Health Care

State Mandates Result in High Price Tags

  • September 10, 2008

A recent news release from the National Center for Policy Analysis underscores the reason for soaring health coverage costs across the nation: state mandates and no national competition. The…

Media

Read More: State Mandates Result in High Price Tags

Taxes & Economy

Extending Rate Caps is Not the Answer

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 10, 2008

Yesterday, Govenor Rendell declared he would have “no choice” but to support an extension of the rate caps if the legislature fails to act on rising electricity rates. This…

Media

Read More: Extending Rate Caps is Not the Answer

State Budget

Who opposed the Bridge to Nowhere?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 9, 2008

NTU sums up the “Bridge to Nowhere” opposition: Sarah Palin has declared she said “thanks, but no thanks” on the Bridge to Nowhere. And it’s true, that she stopped…

Media

Read More: Who opposed the Bridge to Nowhere?

Government Accountability

As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 8, 2008

Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…

Media

Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues

Taxes & Economy

New Facts and Resources on Transportation Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 7, 2008

We have revised our PolicyPoints on Act 44 and Transportation Funding More Resources: Turnpike Lease/BidTurnpikeFacts.comFull Concession Agreement – Governor’s OfficeSynopsis of Lease Requirements/Limits…

Media

Read More: New Facts and Resources on Transportation Funding

Health Care

McCain and Obama on Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 5, 2008

While health care policy won’t get the level of media coverage as Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter or Barack Obama’s crazy pastor, some people might be interested in looking at the candidates proposals…

Media

Read More: McCain and Obama on Health Care

Taxes & Economy

Act 44 & Transportation Funding

  • September 4, 2008

In July 2007, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed and Governor Ed Rendell signed Act 44. This legislation authorized the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) to increase tolls on the Turnpike;…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Act 44 & Transportation Funding

Taxes & Economy

End of the “Second Whiskey Rebellion”?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 4, 2008

The Allegheny Institute writes that a court ruling, disallowing a referendum on the Allegheny County drink tax, will likely be overturned on appeal, because is so shoddy. Pittsburgh…

Media

Read More: End of the “Second Whiskey Rebellion”?

Taxes & Economy

Compare the Presidential Candidates Tax Plans

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 3, 2008

The Tax Foundation has a tool offering side-by-side comparisons of tax proposals Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, Cynthia McKinney, and Ralph Nader. For all you policy wonks, you can also…

Media

Read More: Compare the Presidential Candidates Tax Plans

Taxes & Economy

Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructure

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 3, 2008

Patriot News editorial notes that the proposed Turnpike lease deal would make PA a model for the nation. It’s not that the public-private partnership concept being pushed…

Media

Read More: Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructure

Taxes & Economy

Offshore drilling to being on October 1?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 3, 2008

A Heritage Foundation webmemo articulates the fact that all Congress needs to do allow offshore drilling is not extend the moratorium – set to expire on Sept. 30.  They…

Media

Read More: Offshore drilling to being on October 1?

Regulation

Corporate Welfare 101

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 2, 2008

Philadelphia Inquirer story on how the Lancaster Convention Center project has spun out of control – with dramatic cost increases (from an initial $30 million to over $100 million),…

Media

Read More: Corporate Welfare 101