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

Action on State Regulations

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2006

The state Environmental Quality Board has pushed through a stricter mercury emissions rule for power plants that would likely increase the cost of electricity, jeopardize jobs, and has little…

Media

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Regulation

Legislator maps bill for privatization

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2006

State Rep. Geist is set to introduce a bill which would allow for public-private partnerships in transportation, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, see this Patriot News article. This bill would…

Media

Read More: Legislator maps bill for privatization

Health Care

Fighting Universal Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2006

Coverage of yesterday’s press conference on the concerns about “Cover All Kids” – the Governor’s proposed universal health care coverage for children in the Morning Call. Also from…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Debunking Pessimistic Claims about Wages, Profits, and Wealth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

Heritage Foundation report examines claims that recent economic growth isn’t benefitting workers – i.e. “the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer”. The study finds, instead,…

Media

Read More: Debunking Pessimistic Claims about Wages, Profits, and Wealth

Taxes & Economy

Business Climate Attitudes Remain Low

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

The Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research released its Fall 2006 Business Climate Survey, a survey of business owners and managers. Overall, attitudes about the PA business climate remain…

Media

Read More: Business Climate Attitudes Remain Low

Taxes & Economy

EDITORIAL | Begging the question

  • October 14, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorializes on the need to pursue REAL solutions to the transportation crisis. Unfortunately, “The Transportation Funding and Reform Commission should be named “The Beggar’s Opera” with…

Media

Read More: EDITORIAL | Begging the question

Regulation

A $2-Trillion Fiscal Hole

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2006

Wall Street Journal article estimates the unfunded liabilities of state and local government’s retiree health care plans to be $1.4 trillion, about double the unfunded pension liabilities of $700…

Media

Read More: A $2-Trillion Fiscal Hole

Health Care

Health plan targets children

  • October 12, 2006

Lancaster Democrat Mike Sturla is pushing HillaryCareLite (“Cover All Kids”) in his district. Unfortunately, his Republican challenger doesn’t fully get it either. He said: “You are talking about pure…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Myth of Ethanol

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 11, 2006

Consumer Reports’ article finds that government mandates to use ethanol and new E85 cars – intended to create “energy independence” – has instead increased consumption of gasoline. The main…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Swann Tax Cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

A report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center on the revenue losses from Lynn Swann’s proposed tax cuts would seem to cast doubt on our projections. There…

Media

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Regulation

Hershey changes pensions to cut costs

  • October 10, 2006

While the Hershey Company continues to make defined-benefit pension reforms to remain competitive, we’ve got a union-backed group in Harrisburg lobbying for HIGHER defined-benefit pension costs on taxapyers.

Media

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Regulation

EDITORIAL | Taxpayers lose in Pa. pension gamble

  • October 10, 2006

We hate to have to say “We told you so.” So we won’t. But we’ll let the Chambersburg Public Opinion do it. 🙂 “The stock market was strong back…

Media

Read More: EDITORIAL | Taxpayers lose in Pa. pension gamble

Regulation

Getting mileage out of perks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

Brad Bumsted and Debra Erdley in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the excesses in PA House perks. Turns out that Mike Veon, Democratic Whip from Beaver Falls, collects more in…

Media

Read More: Getting mileage out of perks

Health Care

Uncovering Cover All Kids

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

This past summer, state legislative leaders sent Governor Rendell a letter promising legislation by October authorizing the Governor’s “Cover All Kids” initiative. They included over $2 million in the state…

Commentary

Read More: Uncovering Cover All Kids