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.

Taxes & Economy

A Lack of Economic Freedom Threatens Our Political Freedom

  • November 18, 2004

One of the primary purposes of the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions is to protect and preserve citizens' political freedom. The Founders realized that the American experiment could not succeed…

Commentary

Read More: A Lack of Economic Freedom Threatens Our Political Freedom

Taxes & Economy

Economic Freedom: Endangered in Pennsylvania

  • November 16, 2004

Only 5 states perform worse than Pennsylvania in a national ranking of "economic freedom," according to a new study released today (in association with Forbes magazine) by the San Francisco-based…

Commentary

Read More: Economic Freedom: Endangered in Pennsylvania

Taxes & Economy

Time to cook Pennsylvania’s “lame-duck” session

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 11, 2004

It is fundamental to democracy that voters have information--about candidates, about issues, about proposed solutions to problems. It also is fundamental that voters have information in time to influence the…

Commentary

Read More: Time to cook Pennsylvania’s “lame-duck” session

Government Accountability

Give Taxpayers Same Deal Legislators Get

  • November 10, 2004

Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly are set to receive their annual automatic pay increase on December 1. Now keep in mind that our state legislators are already, according to…

Commentary

Read More: Give Taxpayers Same Deal Legislators Get

Regulation

Telecommunications

  • October 14, 2004

The debate over the future of high-tech communications development in Pennsylvania parallels the debate over statewide economic development policy in general: Should state government raise taxes on families and businesses…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Telecommunications

Taxes & Economy

Some truth in advertising, please!

  • September 21, 2004

As visitors to Harrisburg approach the State Capitol, they'll likely notice a number of quotations from luminaries of Pennsylvania history--including William Penn and Benjamin Franklin--testifying to the virtue of liberty.

Commentary

Read More: Some truth in advertising, please!

Taxes & Economy

Liberty: The Highest Political End

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 15, 2004

Mark Twain supposedly once quipped that "No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session." He must have had the Pennsylvania General Assembly in mind.

Commentary

Read More: Liberty: The Highest Political End

Taxes & Economy

Taxing the Internet

  • July 29, 2004

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, for the invitation to testify today on legislation concerning the “Streamlined Sales Tax Project.”…

Commentary

Read More: Taxing the Internet

Taxes & Economy

Renounce the “Faith”

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 15, 2004

Politicians are fond of saying, "Government doesn't create jobs, the private sector does." Yet the machinations of state and federal government--and the news releases that follow--reveal that most politicians truly…

Commentary

Read More: Renounce the “Faith”

State Budget

The High Cost of Fiscally Responsible Compassion

  • June 8, 2004

For the naysayers of disciplined and effective government spending, the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee has published “Republican Stewardship of State Government: 1995-2003.” Complete with a tagline, “Meeting the Challenge with…

Commentary

Read More: The High Cost of Fiscally Responsible Compassion

Education

Pennsylvania Needs School Board Rent Control

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 2, 2004

Pennsylvanians are once again being reminded this spring that they never actually own their homes; they only “rent” them from their local school board. As school districts across the commonwealth…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania Needs School Board Rent Control

Education

Referendum: School Taxes

  • May 11, 2004

Pennsylvania homeowners lack the right to vote on school property tax increases, while citizens in 44 other states enjoy some form of taxpayer protection. As Pennsylvania legislators debate whether or…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Referendum: School Taxes

Taxes & Economy

Closing Loopholes to Tighten the Noosehole

  • April 21, 2004

Two leading Pennsylvania House Democrats are taking aim at the Commonwealth’s surviving corporate taxpayers. Reps. Mike Veon and David Levdansky say that legal provisions in the tax code—“loopholes” in their…

Commentary

Read More: Closing Loopholes to Tighten the Noosehole

Regulation

“OutFORCING”: Pennsylvania’s Real Job Loss Culprit

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 12, 2004

There’s been a great deal of political talk this election season about greedy “Benedict Arnold” companies sending jobs overseas. Gov. Ed Rendell even announced that the Commonwealth would look unfavorably…

Commentary

Read More: “OutFORCING”: Pennsylvania’s Real Job Loss Culprit

Taxes & Economy

Taxpayers to Subsidize Risks of Venture Capitalists

  • March 31, 2004

As the Republican-led Pennsylvania General Assembly considers a “compromise” version of Gov. Ed Rendell’s so-called “economic stimulus” package, The Commonwealth Foundation declared it to be another step backward for the…

Commentary

Read More: Taxpayers to Subsidize Risks of Venture Capitalists

Regulation

A Solution to the Gambling License Giveaway

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 22, 2004

It's déjà vu all over again. As Governor Rendell continues lobbying the General Assembly to expand gambling, very little attention is paid to the potential giveaway of valuable slot machine…

Commentary

Read More: A Solution to the Gambling License Giveaway

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Great Rail Disasters

  • February 24, 2004

Every Pennsylvanian agrees that traffic congestion and air pollution are hardly good or desirable things for our cities. But there is much less agreement on what strategies should be used…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Great Rail Disasters

Taxes & Economy

Bail on These Bonds

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 9, 2004

If Pennsylvania is the next state to tax, borrow or spend its way to prosperity, it will also be the first. The historical and economic reality is that government is…

Commentary

Read More: Bail on These Bonds