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.
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Taxes & Economy
State Tax Trends
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…
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If you’re angry now …
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…
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Tax Policy Under President Bush
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…
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Boom time for state finances
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…
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Automatic 401(k)s
NCPA Brief Analysis describing the 401(k) reforms contained in the recently passed federal pension bill. Among the main reforms are that employees will have to “opt out” of their…
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“Back-End Referendum”: No Taxpayer Protection
The recent enactment of Special Session Act 1 of 2006, the so-called “Pennsylvania Taxpayer Relief Act”, came as a disappointment to taxpayers throughout the Commonwealth who are fed up with…
Commentary
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The next step to socialized health care
Philadelphia Inquirer coverage of the forthcoming “Cover All Kids” program.
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Read More: The next step to socialized health careGovernment Accountability
The Fumo Legal Defense Fund
State Sen. Vince Fumo, under federal investigation for corruption, used $900,000 of taxpayer’s dollars for his legal defense (in addition to $300,000 of campaign contributions) the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
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Read More: The Fumo Legal Defense FundGovernment Accountability
Principles Worth Fighting For
Though I have watched Braveheart several dozen times, last weekend was the first time that the blood, violence, and men in kilts reminded me of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Unfortunately,…
Commentary
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Sowell on the Minimum Wage
Thomas Sowell on minimum wage laws, from Real Clear Politics: “Minimum wage laws play Russian roulette with people who need jobs and the work experience that will enable them…
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Gaming board raking in fat paychecks
Even without slot machines up and running in Pennsylvania, there have already been some big winners from gambling – the Gaming Control Board. The Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice reports that…
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Minimum wage reality check
Walter Williams in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on why he’s a “decent person” who wants to “help low-skilled workers” and yet opposes a minimum wage increase.
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Federal pay, benefits double private sector’s
New data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, summarized on GovExec.com, finds that the average pay and benefits for federal civilian workers was more than double that of…
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New Hampshire’s 365-Day Sales Tax Holiday
While some states with surplus tax revenue are offering gimmicky “sales tax holidays,” New Hampshire has chosen the all-too-infrequenty policy of keeping taxes low. From The Tax Foundation.
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Cooling Off About Keeping Up
Robert Samuelson editorial in the Washington Post on how the US will not be able to continue to be as dominant in the global economy in every sector as…
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GIving Taxpayers a Voice?
With the new property tax “relief” law (Act 1 of the Special Session) each school district must have a “tax commission” examine any proposed tax increase, as reported in the…
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The 1% Solution
In the daily travails of state government, it appears the Senate is prepared to take action best described as “self-reform.” According to reports, beginning as early as September, employees of…
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Jesus and Taxes
Dimitri Vassilaros questions, in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, whether Jesus really endorsed the estate tax, higher income taxes, and raising the federal minimum wage.
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Repealing the Federal Estate Tax
Facts about the estate tax from the Cato Institute.
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Time to Kill Castroism
Peggy Noonan in today’s Wall Street Journal suggests that it is time to “seize the moment for some wise, judicious, free-market love-bombing” of Cuba.
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Read More: Time to Kill CastroismRegulation
Record Number of Lottery Losers
Governor Rendell issued a news release on the state lottery. Proud of what he calls “a success story of good government and an organization of which all Pennsylvanians can…
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