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.

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

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Government Accountability

Judicial Pay After Court Ruling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 15, 2006

Here is what PA judges will make following the court ruling reinstating the judicial pay raise: http://mail.comfdnprod.wpengine.com/judgespay.pdf…

Media

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State Budget

“Pork” database passed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 15, 2006

Reuters Story on the passage of legislation that would create a new web database of all pork barrel grants. Hopefully transparency is but the first step in reducing wasteful…

Media

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Government Accountability

Judicial pay raise outrage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 15, 2006

WHP CBS21 coverage of the pay raise ruling, featuring video of our very own Matthew Brouillette talking with angry callers.

Media

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Government Accountability

Summary of Supreme Court Ruling on Pay Raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 14, 2006

The PA Supreme Court Opinion on the pay raise, issued today (view the last two pages for the Conclusion) makes the following decisions: 1) The repeal (Act 72 of…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pay Raise is Back

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 14, 2006

The Patriot News reports that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reinstated last July’s pay raise, for judges–a ruling which raises the pay of the Supreme Court Justices. The ruling also…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Wal-Mart and Chicago

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 14, 2006

Following Chicago Major Daley’s 1st ever veto, the city council is reconsidering the law they passed requiring “Big Box Retailers” to pay a “living wage” and benefits. Investor’s Business…

Media

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State Budget

Earmark Showdown

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 13, 2006

Wall Street Journal article on a couple of bills expected to come up in Congress this week that would address pork barrel spending. While these bills wouldn’t reduce spending,…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Why are people rich?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 13, 2006

A study, summarized by NCPA, takes on the critics of free markets, with some common sense finding. While some on the left insist that “the rich are getting richer…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Total Cost of Pennsylvania State & Local Government

  • September 13, 2006

The total cost of state and local government in Pennsylvania reached an estimated $108.3 billion in FY 2005-06, and will likely exceed $130 billion by FY 2010-11 (by conservative projections).

Fact Sheet

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Taxes & Economy

Property Tax Relief that Isn’t

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 11, 2006

The new property tax “relief” plan, Act 1, is already taking heat for not providing much relief – even for senior citizens, the group targetted for immediate relief – based…

Media

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Regulation

Hair Braiding Drama

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 6, 2006

Patriot News article on the fear of unlicensed hair-braiders vs. the danger in regulatory professions (though they emphasize the former). Read Stephen Albert’s commentary on the burdens of…

Media

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Health Care

Will Mandatory Health Insurance Work?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 6, 2006

NCPA Analysis of Health Insurance Mandates, such as the new Massachusetts law and proposals discussed at recent hearings in Pennsylvania. Bottom line: they won’t work, and they could drive…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Incomes and Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 2, 2006

Wall Street Journal article on income disparity and inconsistent political rhetoric.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Household Income Analysis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 1, 2006

Interesting note by the The Tax Foundation on recent household income data. While a recent Census Report indicates that real median household income (adjusted for inflation) has declined since…

Media

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Health Care

Tax Credits for Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 31, 2006

While Pennsylvania lawmakers discuss mandating universal health care coverage, a Census Bureau report indicates fewer people are receiving health insurance from their employers, and more are paying for…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Soak the Poor

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 31, 2006

Analysis of how not “extending the Bush tax cuts” (i.e. raising taxes dramatically in 2011) would hurt low- and moderate-income familes from Investors Business Daily, summarize here by…

Media

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