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

Anti-pollution measures in for legislative battle

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2006

Alison Hawkes article on the battle over mercury and auto emissions standards. DEP plans to set higher standards than the federal requirement. While many legislators have objected, DEP’s decision…

Media

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Regulation

Pension Reform

  • October 6, 2006

Taxpayer contributions to Pennsylvania state and school employee’s retirement plans are expected to escalate dramatically beginning in 2011-12. Retiree healthcare will also place enormous burdens on future taxpayers. Specific actions…

Fact Sheet

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Taxes & Economy

Tax Cuts Helped the Poor

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2006

Waterbury Connecticut Republican-American editorial on the benefits of federal tax cuts on all income levels. It’s a point worth repeating, since those tax rates will go up if not…

Media

Read More: Tax Cuts Helped the Poor

Taxes & Economy

Tax Tidal Wave

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2006

Wall Street Journal article on how increased federal tax revenue-the largest two year increase in history (stemming from economic growth following tax cuts)-are reducing the federal deficit. Of course,…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Property Taxes by County

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 4, 2006

Tax Foundation Data – Property Taxes on Owner Occupied Housing by County, 2005. Data on average property tax paid, average home value, and average income for homeowners. Features the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Gov’t subsidies bad economic policy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 4, 2006

Bill Dunkelberg’s comments on KYW: Philadelphia Gas Works wants a hundred million more dollars of your money. Why? Well, over the years, they have been inefficiently managed, beset with…

Media

Read More: Gov’t subsidies bad economic policy

Regulation

Getting Out of the Pension Dilemma

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • October 4, 2006

(Editors Note: This Commentary was originally published on March 8, 2006) Pennsylvania’s public employee pension plans are facing a looming financial crisis. Regardless of how one looks at the current…

Commentary

Read More: Getting Out of the Pension Dilemma

Taxes & Economy

Tax Cuts and the Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2006

Heritage Foundation Report titled (and summarized) Tax Rate Reductions Strengthen the Economy, But Excessive Government Spending Threatens Long-Run Performance.Some very nice charts and numbers are in there.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Democrats want you to pay more taxes

  • October 3, 2006

Tony Phyrillas highlights the government’s “take” of your money. His conclusion on what rolling back the Bush tax cuts would mean to Pennsylvanians is enlightening: • Pennsylvania’s married…

Media

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Regulation

A roll of the dice

  • October 3, 2006

Northeast PA Business Journal looks at the potential impact of slot machines in PA. “The only real economic impact is if you draw people from outside your region,” says…

Media

Read More: A roll of the dice

Taxes & Economy

Income tax cuts benefit all payers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2006

USA Today article exposes the rhetoric of “tax cuts for the rich.” They note that middle income taxpayers saw a larger percent reduction in their tax burdern, and that…

Media

Read More: Income tax cuts benefit all payers

Regulation

For Sale: Harrisburg Senators (No, Not Those Senators)

  • October 1, 2006

In Pennsylvania and across the United States, taxpayers don't need to look very hard to find examples of wasteful, unconstitutional, or just plain wrongheaded government spending decisions.  One of the…

Commentary

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Health Care

Statement on Health Savings Accounts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 29, 2006

John Goodman of NCPA’s US Senate Testimony on Health Savings Accounts and the need for consumer driven health care.: “If health care really were free, people would have an…

Media

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Health Care

Opportunities for State Medicaid Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2006

New Report on state Medicaid reforms from the NCPA. “At the rate the program is growing, it is on a course to consume the entire budgets of state governments…

Media

Read More: Opportunities for State Medicaid Reform

Regulation

Big business loves government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 27, 2006

John Stossel column on Townhall.com about the all-too-frequent collusion between big business and big government – from corporate welfare handouts to regulation of competition.

Media

Read More: Big business loves government

Taxes & Economy

Cramer Parking/HIA Eminent Domain Case

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 27, 2006

The Patriot News reports that the legal standoff between Cramer Airport Parking may be resolved, if the airport agrees to one of three solutions that would allow them to…

Media

Read More: Cramer Parking/HIA Eminent Domain Case