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

Ousted legislators find silver lining

  • June 18, 2006

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Some lawmakers who lost their jobs in the May primary will collect pensions almost as big as their current salaries. “Powerhouse Republican Sen. Robert Jubelirer,…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Does faux reform kill real reform?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 16, 2006

Brad Bumstead in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the likelihood that significant property tax relief is dead following the passage of the facade of reform passed Wednesday. Read our News…

Media

Read More: Does faux reform kill real reform?

Health Care

Reduce Health Insurance Cost Through Competition

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2006

NCPA Analysis of how allowing insurers to offer healthcare coverage across state boundaries would reduce the cost of insurance. Examining only a handful of states, they find a discrepancy…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Decoding the Swann Property Tax Plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2006

The property tax relief plan introduced by gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann last month offers a radically different approach to the problem. Swann’s proposal contains some good provisions, some flawed provisions,…

Commentary

Read More: Decoding the Swann Property Tax Plan

Taxes & Economy

FEMA funds spent on divorce, sex change

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 14, 2006

AP story on fraud in FEMA aid – as much as $1.4 Billion (16% of all FEMA aid for Katrina and Rita victims) may have been used improperly. My…

Media

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Education

Arrogant PHEAA: More stonewalling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 13, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial review on how the public agency PHEAA refuses to disclose how they spend their money. Hence we propose privatizing PHEAA in our Pennsylvania Piglet…

Media

Read More: Arrogant PHEAA: More stonewalling

Education

Cut the Fat

  • June 13, 2006

While Gov. Ed Rendell claims that his administration is “squeezing every nickel out of government,” an analysis of state spending released by the Commonwealth Foundation and Citizens Against Government Waste…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Agency: Unvouchered expenses ‘income’

  • June 12, 2006

The REPUBLICAN & Herald notes that two lawmakers paid taxes on their “unvouchered expenses.” But I thought UEs are not “income” so as not to be a direct violation…

Media

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Regulation

New York’s Pension Peril

  • June 9, 2006

E. J. McMahon, the director of the Manhattan Institute’s Empire Center for New York State Policy, writes in the New York Post about NY’s pension problem.

Media

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State Budget

Cut (half) the Waste!

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 8, 2006

Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorial on the Pennsylvania Piglet Book 2006.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The More You Know … The More You Wish You Didn’t

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 7, 2006

How does a $56,000 salary sound? Not bad? What if that salary was for working on a political campaign? Still better? Now imagine that salary was for your 2nd job,…

Media

Read More: The More You Know … The More You Wish You Didn’t

State Budget

Ending Pennsylvanias Business as Usual Budget

  • June 7, 2006

The General Assembly’s post-primary return to Harrisburg signals the start of budget season in Pennsylvania—and taxpayers all across the Commonwealth should be clutching their wallets a little tighter in nervous…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Tax Dollars Spent on PR

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2006

The Patriot News reports on how your tax dollars are working hard to fund the public relations campaigns of legislative leaders – namely House Speaker Perzel spending $5,000/month on…

Media

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Regulation

Nice Pensions for Lawmakers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2006

Coverage of lawmakers’ pensions in the Chambersburg Public Opinion and Lebanon Daily News.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Groups target legislative spending

  • June 2, 2006

From the Courier Times: “Asked about the WAMS — legislative grants for economic development — Rep. Scott Petri, R-178, said, “I don’t know any one of them I would…

Media

Read More: Groups target legislative spending

State Budget

When Fish is Really Pork

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2006

A press release from the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) attempts to justify the Fish Fund as a core function of government. However, we maintain our assertion…

Media

Read More: When Fish is Really Pork

Regulation

Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending

  • June 1, 2006

Public Radio Capitol News on our Piglet Book 2006. Although reporter Damon Baughmer probably doesn’t appreciate the fact that we think his employer (we, the taxpayers) should be funding…

Media

Read More: Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending

Regulation

Pension problem looming

  • May 31, 2006

The Altoona Mirror says “Pennsylvanians need to look past the headlines on legislators because there is a much bigger problem lurking.” We couldn’t agree more!…

Media

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State Budget

Piglet Book Coverage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 30, 2006

Coverage of the Pennsylvania Piglet Book in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Download the full Piglet Book here.

Media

Read More: Piglet Book Coverage