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

The 1% Solution

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 29, 2006

Read Commonwealth Foundation senior fellow Rick Dreyfuss’s latest commentary on senate health care cost sharing in today’s Patriot News.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Rendell-conomics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 28, 2006

According to News Release from the Governor, he has revitalized local communities by locating state offices in downtown locations. Apparently the key to economic growth is bigger state government…

Media

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Regulation

The Burden of Over-Regulation

  • August 28, 2006

Summer’s Best Two Weeks (SB2W) is a non-profit summer camp located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Mountains for children ages 8 to 18. SB2W counselors have led campers on…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Legislative leaders need a diet

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 26, 2006

A must-watch story from KDKA exposing how many legislators leaders take $141 per-diem for “lodging and meals” every day they are in Harrisburg, then charge taxpayers for catering or…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

How to fix our road

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 25, 2006

A book released from the Independent Institute discusses various options for transportation agencies to privatize, outsource, and use market incentives for road repairs and usage.

Media

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Health Care

The Benefits of Health Savings Accounts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 25, 2006

Data from Americans for Tax Reform shows that since the creation of Health Savings Accounts (January 2004) the annual growth in health care costs slowed, and health care costs…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Subsidy Economics 101

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 24, 2006

Cato Institute commentary on why government subsidies have made housing, health care, and education more expensive for twenty-somethings. “According to data from the College Board, over the past 20…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Transportation Funding Study

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 23, 2006

A PennDot commission released a report on funding for transporation titled “Addressing Pennsylvania’s Transporation Funding Crisis” (they identify a funding “crisis” because of too little taxpayer funding for transportation,…

Media

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Regulation

$13,000 fees for new homes?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 23, 2006

The Patriot News reports on a PA House committee hearing on charging impact fees on new homes – of $13,000 per home – in growing areas. Why would we…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

State sues over HIA attempt to seize land

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 22, 2006

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has filed suit to stop the Harrisburg Airport from using eminent domain to take Cramer Airport Parking, reports the Patriot News. Cramer Airport Parking…

Media

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Health Care

Health Care for All?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 21, 2006

A Pennsylvania House committee will be holding hearings on universal health care (patterned after the Massachusetts plan passed earlier this year), reports the Patriot News. Read why…

Media

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Regulation

Public Pension Price Tag

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 21, 2006

Wall Street Journal piece on the difficulties facing pension plans for state and local government employees.

Media

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Health Care

Health Care Mandates No Silver Bullet

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 21, 2006

In April 2006, Massachusetts enacted a dramatic health care reform package. Dubbed “Romneycare” after Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, this plan calls for reforms in the health insurance market, a mandate…

Commentary

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Regulation

The Other Pension Crisis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 18, 2006

Wall Street Journal editorial on the underfunding and looming crisis in pensions for state and local government workers.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Mythology Of The Minimum Wage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 17, 2006

CBS News article on how raising the federal minimum wage increases poverty and unemployment…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania 41st “Best State for Business”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 16, 2006

Pennsylvania ranks 41st among the 50 states in Forbes Magazine’s ranking of the the “Best States for Business.” While PA ranks high on “Quality of Life” (12th) it…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

State Tax Trends

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 16, 2006

Americans for Tax Reform report on state tax trends over the past 25 years. They find that (1) income tax increases have been less steep more recently, (2) increase…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

If you’re angry now …

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 15, 2006

Check out where your city ranks on the “100 Angriest Cities,”from Men’s Health. Philadelphia ranks #27, while Pittsburgh sits (relatively happily) at #90. Number 1? Home of the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Tax Policy Under President Bush

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 15, 2006

An overview of recent tax policy (and unresolved issues) from Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute. He makes the keen observation that the reason the tax cuts have yet…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Boom time for state finances

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 15, 2006

Stateline.org article on the surge in state tax revenues. However the NCSL’s “budget experts expect state spending to surpass money coming in to state coffers this fiscal year. State…

Media

Read More: Boom time for state finances