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

PA Pension Plans Underfunded

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 26, 2006

Pennsylvania’s public pension plans are facing a potential crisis, according to a Report from the State Auditor. According to the Auditor General: “The General Assembly and the governor should…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Townhall.com::Wages of Stagnation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 26, 2006

Bruce Bartlett Commentary on economic gains of workers and households: “In short, despite all the talk about the rich getting richer at the expense of the poor, the fact…

Media

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Government Accountability

‘Smart Talk’ on pay raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2006

Alison Hawkes summary of Chief Justice Cappy’s defense of the judicial pay raise: “He said judges needed a pay hike because salaries were slipping compared to other states, although…

Media

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Health Care

States could be overwhelmed by health care burden

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2006

AP Story on how the cost of health care plans for retired state workers will be enormous across the nation, as preliminary numbers (required by new GASB rules) roll…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Estimated Impact of the Swann Tax Cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2006

Executive Summary Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann has proposed a number of changes to state tax rates. This analysis focuses on four major components of that proposal—namely reductions in the…

Fact Sheet

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Government Accountability

Pa. courts say judges’ pay will rise with feds

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2006

AP Report that court adminstrators say PA judges pay are now tied to federal judges. While this differs from my reading of the court ruling on cost-of-living-adjustments, and…

Media

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State Budget

How States are Solving the Tax and Spending Problem

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2006

An overview of the provisions of various tax and spending limit initiatives on the ballot in other states, from the National Taxpayers Union.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Invisible Hand at Wal-Mart

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2006

Wal-Mart, the epitome of greed and all that is evil in the world, is doing what government and Medicare part D cannot – make prescription drugs more affordable. Read the…

Media

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Regulation

The worst bet you can make

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2006

MSN Money article comparing state lotteries to each other and to other gambling ventures. You’re best bets are “skill games” like poker and blackjack, roulette and slots tend to…

Media

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Government Accountability

Lack of evidence to support raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2006

Scranton Times-Tribune editorial takes on Chief Justice Cappy’s defense of a judicial pay raise.

Media

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State Budget

Transportation Pork

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 18, 2006

Here is the listing of the $706 million in federal Transportation Earmarks for PA cited in my testimony today.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Tougher emissions rule in PA?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 18, 2006

FAQ about the news proposed standards and its effects.Coverage of the standards and the decision making process.

Media

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Public Union Democracy

What to do About the Transportation Crisis?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 18, 2006

The Pennsylvania Transportation and Funding Reform Commission is currently holding hearings on the funding “crisis” in transportation. From 1995-96 to 2005-06, while inflation increased 28%, transportation spending in the state…

Commentary

Read More: What to do About the Transportation Crisis?