Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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
Soccer Stadium Plans: No Goal
Recently, Governor Rendell and Republican state lawmakers stood side-by-side to announce a multi-million dollar taxpayer grant to build a soccer stadium in Chester, under the guise of "economic development." Major…
Commentary
Read More: Soccer Stadium Plans: No GoalState Budget
Stop the Borrowing: $110B is Enough!
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation sounded an alarm today that both Governor Rendell and state lawmakers are poised to take citizens deeper into debt. “Putting the people of…
Press Release
Read More: Stop the Borrowing: $110B is Enough!Taxes & Economy
Right to Bear Arms Still Exists
The Supreme Court ruled that individuals have the right to own guns. Click here for the Patriot News story. Some early commentary from Reason Foundation, Amanda Carpenter,…
Media
Read More: Right to Bear Arms Still ExistsHealth Care
How much will an autism mandate cost?
The PA Health Care Containment Council allegedly has a study (it hasn’t been released, but some media are reporting on it) claiming that a new mandate that insurance companies…
Media
Read More: How much will an autism mandate cost?Health Care
Do Democrats want people to die?
Yesterday, I got an email from a lobbying organization, which masquerades as a grassroots organization, led by Governor Rendell’s campaign manager with the subject, “As The Senate Delays, People…
Media
Read More: Do Democrats want people to die?Regulation
State to save us from danger of unauthorized massages
The PA House voted 193-5 to create a new board to license massage therapists (HT GrassrootsPA). The board will collect licensing fees fees, certify educational requirements, test would-be…
Media
Read More: State to save us from danger of unauthorized massagesHealth Care
Address Health Care, Not Health Insurance
Letter to the editor in The Daily Item focus on the Senate Republican’s health care reform plan, specifically their proposal to aid free clinics. While I agree with…
Media
Read More: Address Health Care, Not Health InsuranceRegulation
House Republicans Highlight Debt, Rendell Spending
AP article on House Republicans (at least some of them) noting the enormous burden of debt on Pennsylvania taxpayers before voting on more borrowing for corporate welfare.
Media
Read More: House Republicans Highlight Debt, Rendell SpendingGovernment Accountability
Perzel, Fumo at Secret Budget Negotiations
John Micek reports on the details of the secret budget negotiations: The players last night:House Dems: Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, Whip Keith McCall and Appropriations Chair Dwight…
Media
Read More: Perzel, Fumo at Secret Budget NegotiationsRegulation
The State’s Rosy Scenarios
We live in uncertain times. This maxim is often heard in the corridors of the state Capitol where Excel spreadsheets support the marketing of new initiatives based on long-term financial…
Commentary
Read More: The State’s Rosy ScenariosEducation
“Intellectual Diversity” means no Milton Friedman?
Several University of Chicago professors are protesting the university’s plan to unveil a Milton Friedman Institute, because that would “reinforce among the public a perception that the university’s faculty…
Media
Read More: “Intellectual Diversity” means no Milton Friedman?Taxes & Economy
Two charts worth 1,000 words or more
HT: Greg Mankiw HT: Club for Growth…
Media
Read More: Two charts worth 1,000 words or moreTaxes & Economy
Electricity Deregulation in Pennsylvania
In 2010, PPL rate caps will expire, which is expected to result in a sudden rise in the price of electricity. Ending government regulation signals an end to artificial…
Media
Read More: Electricity Deregulation in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Smoking Ban shows need for part-time legislature
Nathan Shrader makes the case that the smoking ban – along with other nonsensical legislation – shows why Pennsylvania should move to a part-time, citizen legislature.
Media
Read More: Smoking Ban shows need for part-time legislatureTaxes & Economy
Economic Illiteracy of Presidential Candidates
Here is a good editorial in the Wall Street Journal on the economic illiteracy (or perhaps pandering with economic nonsense) of McCain and Obama. I should mention the author…
Media
Read More: Economic Illiteracy of Presidential CandidatesState Budget
Pennsylvania Senate Proposes Spending Diet
Low-growth budget is a step in the right direction, but will House and Governor agree? HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate recently passed a state spending plan for the upcoming…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Senate Proposes Spending DietTaxes & Economy
Power surge in Nashville
Shortly after the release of Al Gore’s Academy Award-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth, one of our sister think tanks, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, discovered Gore’s home energy…
Media
Read More: Power surge in NashvilleTaxes & Economy
State Personal Income and Ethanol Policy
The BEA issued their quarterly update of state personal income. Normally, my comments on these reports are limited to how Pennsylvania is lagging behind the national average (true again…
Media
Read More: State Personal Income and Ethanol PolicyTaxes & Economy
Obama: NAFTA not so bad after all
Barack Obama tells Fortune magazine that NAFTA hasn’t been as bad as he said it was. It may have been that he was pandering during the campaign, or it…
Media
Read More: Obama: NAFTA not so bad after allState Budget
Senate Passes Trimmed Down Budget
Tired of waiting for the House Democrats to pass a budget bill, the Senate today passed their own version (as an amendment to supplemental appropriations for last year).
Media
Read More: Senate Passes Trimmed Down BudgetRegulation
Pensions ‘spike’ troubles state officials
Deb Erdley has an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on how lawmakers are starting to pay attention to the looming crisis in state pension plans. The only quibble…
Media
Read More: Pensions ‘spike’ troubles state officials