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

PA’s “liberal” population shift

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 10, 2008

The Philadelphia Inquirer has an article remarking on Pennsylvania’s demographic changes, noting that the state is gaining population in the eastern part and losing population in the west –…

Media

Read More: PA’s “liberal” population shift

Taxes & Economy

Another Mediocre Rank for PA Business Climate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 10, 2008

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council has new report on Business Tax Index 2008, look at the best tax climate for small businesses. Pennsylvania, as has been a recurring…

Media

Read More: Another Mediocre Rank for PA Business Climate

Government Accountability

“Per Diems” Add Up

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 9, 2008

RocktheCapital has analyzed and released expense reports for one lawmaker, David Argall of Schuykill County, finding that he collected $15,000 in “per diems” (compensation above and beyond salary, ostensibly…

Media

Read More: “Per Diems” Add Up

Health Care

When is a college basketball game “over”?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 9, 2008

If you like sports and you like math then Bill James’s calculator to determine when a college basketball game is out of reach should be interesting (if not, then…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Eminent Domain post-Kelo

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 9, 2008

The Cato Daily Podcast for today covers state eminent domain reform reforms since Kelo. For more visit the Castle Coalition, and their report on state eminent domain…

Media

Read More: Eminent Domain post-Kelo

Taxes & Economy

Congressional Ratings from National Taxpayers Union

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 8, 2008

The National Taxpayers Union has released their 2007 Congressional Rankings. As for the PA Delegation: Pitts A 87% (“Taxpayers’ Friend”)Shuster B 74% (“Good”)Peterson C+ 62% (“Satisfactory”)…

Media

Read More: Congressional Ratings from National Taxpayers Union

Taxes & Economy

“No Cardboard Checks”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 8, 2008

One of my favorite sources for the inside scoop from the Capitol is Senator Eichelberger’s blog. In his latest post, he describes his refusal to participate in handing out…

Media

Read More: “No Cardboard Checks”

Taxes & Economy

Big Oil vs. Big Ethanol

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 7, 2008

Everyone in Pennsylvania (save the Amish, who are also unlikely to be reading this blog) must have heard or seen the Barack Obama, anti-“Big Oil” ad dozens of…

Media

Read More: Big Oil vs. Big Ethanol

State Budget

The Merits of Pork Barrel spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 7, 2008

Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette has a story on the state capital budget, covering some of the projects in the Pittsburgh area. The Rendell administration tries to take…

Media

Read More: The Merits of Pork Barrel spending

Health Care

Why McCain has the best health-care plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 4, 2008

Fortune Magazine article on the health care proposals of the presidential candidates, along with the overarching question of whether we should move to government-run insurance or offer consumers greater…

Media

Read More: Why McCain has the best health-care plan

Taxes & Economy

Electricity deregulation a success in Texas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 4, 2008

Dallas Morning News story on a report showing how competition flourished and prices declined once Texas Electrity Deregulation took effect in January of last year. The full report…

Media

Read More: Electricity deregulation a success in Texas

Government Accountability

Why the capital budget process needs to be reformed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 4, 2008

Here is a response I posted on GrassrootsPA to the defenders of the $13 billion in capital budget projects who state essentially “It isn’t that bad, because not all…

Media

Read More: Why the capital budget process needs to be reformed

Taxes & Economy

Hoover’s Heirs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 3, 2008

Wall Street Journal editorial on what not to do facing a possible recession, i.e. follow the lead of Herbert Hoover: In 1930, he signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act,…

Media

Read More: Hoover’s Heirs

State Budget

Pork-Barrel Projects Take Taxpayers to Slaughterhouse

  • April 3, 2008

Commonwealth Foundation condemns earmarking of $12.7 billion in taxpayer debt HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment in the Pennsylvania Senate’s passage of House Bill 1589, which authorizes $12.7…

Press Release

Read More: Pork-Barrel Projects Take Taxpayers to Slaughterhouse

State Budget

$13 Billion capital budget flies under radar

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 3, 2008

The $12.7 billion in borrowing for the state Capital Budget has become a hot topic on GrassrootsPA. Otherwise, it has merited a blurb in the Patriot News, and…

Media

Read More: $13 Billion capital budget flies under radar

Taxes & Economy

Is the GOP Still the Party of Economic Growth?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 3, 2008

John Tamny has a scathing RealClearMarkets column on the national economic policy of the last 7 years, implying that, had you been stuck on an island with Jack, Sawyer,…

Media

Read More: Is the GOP Still the Party of Economic Growth?

Government Accountability

Philadelphia Parking Authority to face scrutiny

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 3, 2008

One the most wasteful, patronage-ridden, and shady government entities – the Philadelphia Parking Authority – will face investigation into its practices, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Like many other agencies…

Media

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State Budget

CAGW releases Congressional Pig Book

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 2, 2008

Citizens Against Government Waste released their annual Congressional Pig Book, highlighting $17.2 billion in pork projects (11,610 projects). Pennsylvania ranks 31st in pork per capita (though sixth in…

Media

Read More: CAGW releases Congressional Pig Book

Taxes & Economy

The Clean Energy Scam

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 2, 2008

Time Magazine blasts the ethanol craze that has politicians (including Governor Rendell) demanding more subsidies and mandates for biofuels than they already get (HT: Carpe Diem):…

Media

Read More: The Clean Energy Scam

Health Care

MCare: End it, Don’t Extend It

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 1, 2008

Governor Rendell and House Democrats have refused to extend the MCare abatements unless it is tied to their Cover All Pennsylvania’s/PA ABC plan (read my commentary…

Media

Read More: MCare: End it, Don’t Extend It