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

Are You Nuts Governor?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 7, 2008

Governor Ed Rendell goes ballistic on KDKA reporter Jon Delano, asking “Are you nuts, Jon? Are you nuts?” (watch the incredible Video Clip) Delano’s sanity is in question…

Media

Read More: Are You Nuts Governor?

Taxes & Economy

Change in plan to cut tax angers Pa. business owners

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2008

Governor Rendell’s budget calls for another slowdown of the Corporate Stock and Franchise Tax phaseout. While this isn’t technically a tax increase – rather represents less of a reduction…

Media

Read More: Change in plan to cut tax angers Pa. business owners

Health Care

Cover A Few Pennsylvanians update

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2008

A few weeks ago, we put out some quick facts about the few Pennsylvanians that would be covered by “Cover All Pennsylvanians.” Based on the new Governor’s budget, we…

Media

Read More: Cover A Few Pennsylvanians update

Government Accountability

Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunched

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2008

The Liberty Index, now produced by the Conservative Reform PAC was released today, rating all state legislators and Governor Rendell on legislation through the end 2007. Hat Tip…

Media

Read More: Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunched

Taxes & Economy

Grow the Economy, Not Government

  • February 5, 2008

Rendell misplaces his faith in government to stimulate the economy HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment in Gov. Ed Rendell’s FY 2008-09 budget proposal that would…

Press Release

Read More: Grow the Economy, Not Government

Health Care

Rendell still pushing RendellCare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2008

Within the last few weeks, three state health care proposals fundamentally similar to Governor Rendell’s “Cover All Pennsylvanians” added to my “bad ideas pile” California legislators overwhelming rejected…

Media

Read More: Rendell still pushing RendellCare

Regulation

Rendell’s Stimulus

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2008

Yesterday, Gov. Rendell announced his wealth redistribution scheme, which he calls “economic stimulus”. His plan includes Cash welfare payments: Rendell is proposing spending $130 million (borrowing it from the…

Media

Read More: Rendell’s Stimulus

Education

Budget Preview

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2008

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story previews Rendell’s budget proposal, including “Rebuilding Pennsylvania”, involving a three-year, $860 million ($287/year average) in new spending on infrastructure, mostly through new borrowing. He also promises…

Media

Read More: Budget Preview

Health Care

Equity and Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2008

Wall Street Journal editorial looks at reforming health care through the tax code. That is, giving individuals the same tax benefits in buying health insurance as employers, along with…

Media

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State Budget

Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2008

The Patriot News profiles Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati and it looks like he will be putting the Taxpayer Protection Act as a top priority, and even suggests…

Media

Read More: Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?

Regulation

Specter and the NFL

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2008

The response to news that Arlen Specter wants to hold hearing with the NFL over “spy-gate” has been met with universal disdain – see, for instance, Don Boudreaux’s…

Media

Read More: Specter and the NFL

Taxes & Economy

Climate Debate Daily

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 2, 2008

New website, Climate Debate Daily, features the latest updates on the debate over global warming – what is occuring, why it is occuring, and what to do about it…

Media

Read More: Climate Debate Daily

Taxes & Economy

Understanding the Laffer Curve

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 2, 2008

Center for Freedom and Propserity provides this video on the Laffer Curve. The key points are that 1)Most tax cuts spur economic growth and provide “feedback” tax revenue. 2)…

Media

Read More: Understanding the Laffer Curve

Regulation

$47 million for Soccer?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2008

Lowman Henry writes on the Lincoln Blog that $47 million for a soccer stadium doesn’t seem like a good use of tax dollars, and responds to some email comments…

Media

Read More: $47 million for Soccer?

Taxes & Economy

Government on a Diet – ABC 27 coverage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2008

ABC 27 Video on our report Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2008 Please make sure your flash player is up to date. Click here…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Groundhog Duel – Taxpayer Funded Website

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2008

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office has a new website: Groundhog Duel. The website features a video about two 6’2″ men wearing groundhog costumes collecting bling-bling and hooking up with gorgeous…

Media

Read More: Groundhog Duel – Taxpayer Funded Website

State Budget

The Truth About Spending Limits

  • February 1, 2008

Pennsylvanians want limits placed on the annual increases in state government spending.  Despite the strong support of taxpayers, many special interest groups that profit from higher taxes and more government…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Truth About Spending Limits

Health Care

Maine’s Failed Health Reforms

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2008

Greg Scandlen weighs in on the failure of Maine’s Dirigo Care program: 1. After 20 months of operation only 11,000 were enrolled in DirigoChoice (out of a total…

Media

Read More: Maine’s Failed Health Reforms

Regulation

Professional licensing and the Italian Stallion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2008

In light of recent news about state licensing boards going after eBay sellers and our discussion of professional licensing boards in Government on a Diet, here are some…

Media

Read More: Professional licensing and the Italian Stallion

Regulation

State Liquor Stores Show Age

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2008

Delco Times editorial on the need to privatize the state liquor stores. Dismissing the myth of state-run stores protecting against underage drinking (through anecdotal evidence, though a report…

Media

Read More: State Liquor Stores Show Age

State Budget

Put Government on a Spending Diet

  • January 31, 2008

Commonwealth Foundation analysis finds $6.7 billion in “unhealthy“ state spending HARRISBURG, PA — Today, in anticipation of Governor Rendell’s 2008-09 budget proposal, the Commonwealth Foundation released Government on a Diet:…

Press Release

Read More: Put Government on a Spending Diet