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.

Regulation

Gaming Control Board screw-ups continue

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 13, 2008

A number of PA House Republicans are calling for PA AG Tom Corbett to investigate the Gaming Control Board (as if he didn’t already have enough government officials…

Media

Read More: Gaming Control Board screw-ups continue

Taxes & Economy

Who Gets Federal Energy Subsidies?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 12, 2008

The Wall Street Journal has an article on who gets federal energy subsidies, based on a EIA report. The WSJ focuses most of the attention on electricity subsidies;…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Wall Street Bailout Enhancement Act

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 12, 2008

The Heritage Foundation’s Foundry blog summarizes the flaws of the federal mortgage bailout bill. The CNNMoney article linked to also provides a good synopsis of what the bill…

Media

Read More: The Wall Street Bailout Enhancement Act

Health Care

PA liability for state retiree health: $8.8 billion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 12, 2008

The PA Office of the Budget released their actuarial report on retiree health care liabilities, revealing that the estimated unfunded liablity as of July 1, 2008 is $8.8 billion…

Media

Read More: PA liability for state retiree health: $8.8 billion

Health Care

Address the Cost of Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 11, 2008

Here is a letter to the editor I sent to the York Daily Record on health care reform: I am responding to a May 4 op-ed by Rep. Eugene…

Media

Read More: Address the Cost of Health Care

Taxes & Economy

State Income Taxes and Economic Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 10, 2008

The Cato Journal has an article looking at the effects of state taxes and economic growth. Their finding, which should not surprise our readers, is that high marginal…

Media

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Regulation

Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny State

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 10, 2008

Here is an interesting read on the science of smoking and smoking bans, with plenty of additional resources listed in the end, written by Joe Jackson (yes, that…

Media

Read More: Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny State

State Budget

A Closer Look at Stadium Subsidies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 9, 2008

The American magazine has an exposé on sport stadium subsidies, by Dennis Coates, reaching the conclusion that they do not result in broad economic growth: My own research,…

Media

Read More: A Closer Look at Stadium Subsidies

Health Care

Health Care Reform (the right kind) in the states

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 8, 2008

Georgia enacted a few of the health care reforms we have been touting. From the SPN Blog: Georgia eliminates a major tax inequity by allowing individuals to…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

In Defense of RINO Hunting

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 8, 2008

Pat Toomey lowers the hammer in the Wall Street Journal on the Republican establishment-types, who just want to win elections, regardless of policy, vision, or principles (note: this is…

Media

Read More: In Defense of RINO Hunting

Regulation

Leasing HBG Parking Garages

  • May 8, 2008

Patriot News reports on the Harrisburg Parking Authority’s 3-2 vote last night to contract with a private company to lease nine city parking garages, two public lots and 1,200…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Watch Our Award Winning Video

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 7, 2008

The Commonwealth Foundation’s video Frontlines of Liberty won a 2008 Telly Award. GK Visual gets the credit for producing the video (along with all our videos) but…

Media

Read More: Watch Our Award Winning Video

Taxes & Economy

South Carolina vs. PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 7, 2008

The Club For Growth has been keeping track of news on potential VP candidates, and this post on SC Mark Sanford stood out. Again, not because John McCain won’t…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Big Farm whips Big Oil

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 7, 2008

Great editorial on how “Big Farm” companies dominate “Big Oil” as a special interest, having both “record profits” and government subsidies for ethanol in the wake of a global…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Does Marriage Matter?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2008

As the PA Senate is expected to vote on the Marriage Protection Amendment today, I’d thought I’d remind readers that we discussed this proposal with both supporters and opponents…

Media

Read More: Does Marriage Matter?

Health Care

Savings from McCain’s Health Care Tax Credit

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2008

With the re-release of John McCain’s health care plan came a lot of criticism (along with praise) over who benefits from his tax credit. McCain would offer…

Media

Read More: Savings from McCain’s Health Care Tax Credit

Regulation

Harrisburg mayor proposing outsourcing parking

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2008

Patriot News reports that Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed proposing leasing operations of the city’s parking garages and meters to private operators. The deal would fetch $215 million for a…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Is the US in a recession?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2008

Tony Phyrillas writes that the U.S. is not in a recession. John Micek jokes about Phyrillas swallowing Bush’s rhetoric. Of course Tony has the evidence, whereas John is,…

Media

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Regulation

Pension COLA has hefty price tag

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2008

Charles Thompson has a story in the Patriot News about the high cost to taxpayers of the propose pension COLA. The Tribune Review also had an article last…

Media

Read More: Pension COLA has hefty price tag