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
Energy
Energy Depletion
Ed Rendell has been in politics for too long. That is the only way to explain his apparent belief that Harrisburg politicians know more about which alternative energy prospects are…
Commentary
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Property Seizures Threaten PA Small Business
Being a small business owner in Pennsylvania is not easy. There’s the punishing tax burden levied by state and local governments that see small firms not so much as vital…
Commentary
Read More: Property Seizures Threaten PA Small BusinessTaxes & Economy
How to Fix Mass Transit
In their final report, the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission wrote: The Commission concludes that no additional funding should be provided for highways, bridges and transit unless a series…
Commentary
Read More: How to Fix Mass TransitTaxes & Economy
Mass Transit Reform: Lessons for Pennsylvania
Executive Summary Pennsylvania’s two major public transit agencies, the Philadelphia-area Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the Pittsburgh-based Port Authority Transit (PAT), have been in financial crisis for years, with…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Mass Transit Reform: Lessons for PennsylvaniaState Budget
Pennsylvania Families Need Government to Prioritize Spending
All families must learn to live within a budget. They understand that they can’t spend more than what they earn—at least not for very long. Frequently this means saying “No”…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Families Need Government to Prioritize SpendingState Budget
Senate Takes Step to Put PA on Spending Diet
Commonwealth Foundation applauds WAM-free, low-growth budget HARRISBURG, PA — On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a 2007-08 budget in the spirit of the Taxpayer Protection Act. This $27.0 billion budget…
Press Release
Read More: Senate Takes Step to Put PA on Spending DietTaxes & Economy
Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health
:: Fat Facts of the Week ::…
Commentary
Read More: Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic HealthTaxes & Economy
Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health
:: Fat Facts of the Week :: Taxpayer-funded handouts to major corporations are just one reason why state government spending is so obese. Consider just four examples of corporate welfare:…
Commentary
Read More: Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic HealthEducation
Taxpayer-Funded Preschool: Count the Costs
Governor Ed Rendell’s budget proposal for the 2007-08 fiscal year includes $75 million for “Pre-K Counts”—a taxpayer-funded program which would provide grants to school districts, Head Start programs, and government-approved…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Taxpayer-Funded Preschool: Count the CostsEducation
Count the Costs of Pre-K Counts
Academic and financial costs of taxpayer-funded preschool questioned, alternatives proposed at news conference HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation joined with a coalition of organizations to call on lawmakers…
Press Release
Read More: Count the Costs of Pre-K CountsTaxes & Economy
Is State Government Ready for a Spending Diet?
Taxpayer Protection bills sent to Senate floor HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the State Senate Finance Committee voted to send the Taxpayer Protection Act (SB 707) and the Taxpayer Protection Amendment…
Press Release
Read More: Is State Government Ready for a Spending Diet?Taxes & Economy
Protecting the Taxpayers
Thank you Senator Corman, Senator Folmer, and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the opportunity to testify on the proposed Taxpayer Protection Act (SB 7) and Taxpayer Protection…
Commentary
Read More: Protecting the TaxpayersState Budget
A Diet Plan for an Obese State Government
Commonwealth Foundation launches campaign to “Put Pennsylvania on a Spending Diet” HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation announced the launch of a media campaign to educate Pennsylvanians about the…
Press Release
Read More: A Diet Plan for an Obese State GovernmentEducation
Diet Tip of the Week, Issue 3
One of the most notorious abuses of taxpayers' money is the exercise of Walking-Around-Money (WAMs). These funds are set aside for use at each legislator's discretion to dish out to…
Commentary
Read More: Diet Tip of the Week, Issue 3Taxes & Economy
Lost Jobs, Lost Opportunities: The Reality of the Minimum Wage Hike
In 2006, Governor Ed Rendell argued that hiking Pennsylvania’s minimum wage by 39% would not lead to lost jobs and opportunities for low-wage workers. Unfortunately, Mr. Rendell has already been…
Commentary
Read More: Lost Jobs, Lost Opportunities: The Reality of the Minimum Wage HikeState Budget
We Need a People’s Budget
Good morning. Let me begin by thanking Chairman Turzai and the members of this committee for the invitation to be with you this morning. We are here today because Governor…
Testimony
Read More: We Need a People’s BudgetTaxes & Economy
Act 1 Property-to-Income Tax Shift
On May 15, 2007, voters across the Commonwealth will be asked to vote on a property-to-income tax shift to pay for public education expenditures. The Property Tax Relief Act of…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Act 1 Property-to-Income Tax ShiftGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Need Protection
Delivered on Thursday, April 26, 2007 Good morning Chairman Corman, Senator Regola, and Senator Folmer. It is indeed a pleasure and an honor to be able to come before you…
Testimony
Read More: Taxpayers Need ProtectionTaxes & Economy
Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!
April 27, 2007 won’t appear as a holiday on anyone’s calendar. Few workers will get the day off. But it will be the first day Pennsylvania’s workers stop working to…
Commentary
Read More: Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!Regulation
Public Benefits from Private Liquor
Commonwealth Foundation joins Reason in call for LCB privatization HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation joined with privatization experts from the Reason Foundation to discuss the potential divesture of the…
Press Release
Read More: Public Benefits from Private LiquorTaxes & Economy
Taxpayer Protections
Commonwealth Foundation applauds efforts to control spending and taxes HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation applauded today’s introduction of a package of proposals designed to reduce the tax burden on…
Press Release
Read More: Taxpayer Protections