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

Government Job Creation is a Myth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 12, 2018

Can government create jobs? If you ask Gov. Tom Wolf, you won’t get a straight answer. On the one hand, Wolf promised Amazon millions—likely billions—in taxpayer subsidies to build a…

Media

Read More: Government Job Creation is a Myth

State Budget

5 Reasons We Need the Taxpayer Protection Act Now

  • June 12, 2018

Gov. Wolf has been pretty optimistic about Pennsylvania’s finances going into budget negotiations for fiscal year 2018-19. Although it’s true the state is not staring down a $2 billion…

Media

Read More: 5 Reasons We Need the Taxpayer Protection Act Now

Taxes & Economy

A Career for Life: Toni’s Work Story

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 6, 2018

DuBois resident Toni Prescott Flanders knows the value of hard work. As a teenager she worked alongside her mom, who owned a restaurant. But Toni wanted more than a job.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

More Evidence Raising the Minimum Wage is Bad for Pa.

  • June 4, 2018

In his 2018-19 budget proposal, Governor Wolf mandates a 65 percent increase to the state’s minimum wage, from $7.25 to $12 per hour. The governor reiterated his support for this…

Media

Read More: More Evidence Raising the Minimum Wage is Bad for Pa.

Regulation

Save Nuclear Jobs with Less Government, Not Corporate Welfare

  • Gordon Tomb
  • June 1, 2018

Increased production of low-cost natural gas has reduced the price of electricity to levels below which many Pennsylvania nuclear plants can compete. With about 3,000 jobs at stake, Senator…

Media

Read More: Save Nuclear Jobs with Less Government, Not Corporate Welfare

Health Care

More than a Paycheck: Amanda’s Work Story

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 30, 2018

A mother of four, Amanda Zernell worked odd jobs – as a certified nurse assistant at minimum wage and later at Sears – to help support her family. But after…

Media

Read More: More than a Paycheck: Amanda’s Work Story

State Budget

Securing Pa.’s Fiscal Future

  • May 29, 2018

Balancing a budget may come naturally to many Pennsylvania families, but in Harrisburg, it’s an idea that has been recently overlooked. And given the latest federal court decision prohibiting…

Media

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State Budget

Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not Erased

  • May 21, 2018

Tax reform will save Pennsylvania's consumers an estimated $324 million. This according to the Public Utility Commission, which approved rate cuts for 17 utility companies last week. The lower utitlity bills will kick in July 1…

Media

Read More: Tax Reform’s Benefits Should Be Embraced, Not Erased

Health Care

A $2,000 Blister and Other Medicaid Failures

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 17, 2018

Sunburns, warts, and blisters—Medicaid recipients receive Emergency Room (ER) treatment for these common ailments, costing state taxpayers millions of dollars according to a WTAE investigation by Paul Van Osdol. With nearly…

Media

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State Budget

2018 State Budget Trends

  • May 16, 2018

On February 6, Governor Wolf laid out his plan for the 2018-19 state budget. His proposal includes a $250 million energy tax and nearly $1 billion in new General Fund…

Fact Sheet

Read More: 2018 State Budget Trends

Education

Upward Trend in School District Reserve Funds Continues

  • Marc LeBlond
  • May 14, 2018

Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE) released their 2016-17 financial reports less than a week after opponents of education choice for children loudly proclaimed that the sky is falling,…

Media

Read More: Upward Trend in School District Reserve Funds Continues

Government Accountability

Transparency is Fundamental to Good Govt

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • May 11, 2018

Government transparency is a driving issue for Rep. Seth Grove. Without it, citizens can’t determine if state government is spending tax dollars efficiently. And hiding government operations from the public…

Media

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Health Care

A Future for My Kids and Me

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 10, 2018

Megan Spaulding graduated from the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology Medical Assistant program two years ago. This single mom turned medical professional describes her new found career as “life-changing.”…

Media

Read More: A Future for My Kids and Me

Health Care

Medicaid is Broken, Work Requirements Can Help

  • Rep. Matt Dowling
  • May 7, 2018

Pennsylvanians deserve every opportunity to live fulfilling, prosperous lives. But too often, government programs end up holding back our friends and neighbors by discouraging them from pursuing independence.

Commentary

Read More: Medicaid is Broken, Work Requirements Can Help

State Budget

Why the Taxpayer Protection Act Matters to You

  • May 4, 2018

Pennsylvania could end the fiscal year with a budget deficit…again. If the latest Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) projections prove accurate, the commonwealth would need to fill a $195 million…

Media

Read More: Why the Taxpayer Protection Act Matters to You

Taxes & Economy

The Path to Prosperity

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 2, 2018

Last month we featured the story of Diane, a hardworking medical assistant in Clearfield County and graduate of the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) medical assistant…

Media

Read More: The Path to Prosperity

Criminal Justice Reform

Unanimous Senate Vote Advances Criminal Justice Reform

  • May 2, 2018

The state Senate embraced criminal justice reform this week by unanimously passing three pieces of legislation comprising the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) II reforms. The first slate of JRI…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

State House Strengthens Food Stamps Work Requirements

  • May 1, 2018

Today, the state House passed HB 1659, which strengthens existing work requirements for able-bodied adults in Pennsylvania’s food stamp program. This follows a work requirement measure for Medicaid,…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Wolf’s Severance Tax Among the Highest in the Nation

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 1, 2018

The Governor's fourth natural gas tax proposal, and 11th tax proposal overall, is now embodied in legislation. SB 1000 and HB 2253 join nine other bills sitting in the House and Senate, all…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s Severance Tax Among the Highest in the Nation