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

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

Read More: Health plan targets children

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

Read More: The Myth of Ethanol

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

Read More: Swann Tax Cuts

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

Read More: Hershey changes pensions to cut costs

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

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

Read More: Anti-pollution measures in for legislative battle

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

Read More: Pension Reform

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

Read More: Tax Tidal Wave

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

Read More: Property Taxes by County

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