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.
Related Issues
Government Accountability
News Release: $65 Million in Earmarks Hidden in State’s Fiscal Code
Pennsylvanians shouldn’t need a decoder ring to know how their tax dollars are being spent. But lawmakers have hidden more than $65 million in vaguely worded earmarks in the Senate-passed…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: $65 Million in Earmarks Hidden in State’s Fiscal CodeState Budget
Can Other Funds Help Balance the State Budget?
The total operating budget for the state exceeds $80 billion. In addition to the $32 billion General Fund, the “shadow budget” includes: $28.7 billion in federal funds, $4.7 billion in…
Media
Read More: Can Other Funds Help Balance the State Budget?Taxes & Economy
The Fizz Tax Is on the Fritz
Philadelphia’s soda tax was the final blow to the Orlando family’s nearly 70-year-old bakery. The business closed earlier this month following a steep decline in sales after the soda…
Media
Read More: The Fizz Tax Is on the FritzState Budget
Infographic: What Will They Tax Next?
The Washington Observer-Reporter recently editorialized on the tax hikes in the Senate-passed revenue plan, answering questions all Pennsylvanians should be asking themselves: Do you heat your house with…
Media
Read More: Infographic: What Will They Tax Next?Taxes & Economy
More Evidence Minimum Wage Increase = Job Loss
Montgomery County, Maryland failed to increase the minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 per hour after County Executive Isiah Leggett vetoed the measure. He called for an objective study to…
Media
Read More: More Evidence Minimum Wage Increase = Job LossState Budget
News Release: Analysis: Senate Tax Hikes Would Cost 3,600 Jobs, $1 Billion in Income
In July, the state Senate narrowly approved a $600 million tax-hike package, raising taxes on home heating, natural gas drilling, electricity, and even cell phone service. The bill comes to…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: Analysis: Senate Tax Hikes Would Cost 3,600 Jobs, $1 Billion in IncomeState Budget
State Borrowing the Result of Overspending
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania State Treasurer and Auditor General approved a short term “STIP” loan to cover cash flow. For reference, you can see the GF balance on the…
Media
Read More: State Borrowing the Result of OverspendingHealth Care
Higher Liquor Prices Just the Latest Hit to Pennsylvania Families
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced it would be arbitrarily raising prices on 422 wine and liquor products. This increase is a result of the “liquor modernization” efforts—which have…
Media
Read More: Higher Liquor Prices Just the Latest Hit to Pennsylvania FamiliesState Budget
Is State Spending “Cut to the Bone”?
One of the justifications Gov. Wolf uses to raise taxes—for the fifth time in nine years—is that state government spending has been relatively restrained. This argument suggests that other…
Media
Read More: Is State Spending “Cut to the Bone”?Taxes & Economy
SNAP Reform Shows Promising Results
Innovative work requirements have the potential to transform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from a program perpetuating poverty, to one fostering prosperity. Now, data released by the…
Media
Read More: SNAP Reform Shows Promising ResultsState Budget
Cost of Proposed Tax Hikes: 3,600 Jobs Lost
The tax hikes included in the revenue plan passed by the Senate (26-24) and supported by Gov. Wolf amount to nearly $600 million in total new taxes for next…
Testimony
Read More: Cost of Proposed Tax Hikes: 3,600 Jobs LostRegulation
Liquor Privatization: The Cure for Power Plays and Tax Hikes
Get ready to pay more for alcohol in state stores. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is set to use its newly acquired power—via Act 39—to raise the…
Media
Read More: Liquor Privatization: The Cure for Power Plays and Tax HikesState Budget
Doubling Down on Tax Increases
Bucking calls to responsibly balance the budget, the state Senate passed a plan to borrow more than $1.2 billion and raise taxes by more than $570 million. The total tax…
Media
Read More: Doubling Down on Tax IncreasesState Budget
News Release: Senate’s Broad-Based Tax Hikes Should Be Rejected by House
In an effort to close a budget gap created by their own overspending, Senate lawmakers today passed a series of broad-based tax hikes that will hit nearly every Pennsylvania family…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: Senate’s Broad-Based Tax Hikes Should Be Rejected by HouseState Budget
More Bad Budget Ideas: Resurrecting the Home Heating Tax
With no clear path to a balanced budget, lawmakers have suggested resurrecting the long-dead natural gas receipts tax in order to pay for this year's $32 billion budget. Sound familiar?…
Media
Read More: More Bad Budget Ideas: Resurrecting the Home Heating TaxHealth Care
Obamacare Continues to Destabilize Health Insurance
Obamacare repeal efforts have included transformative Medicaid reform, but retained many of the regulations responsible for collapsing individual markets. On Friday, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department released shocking individual insurance rate requests…
Media
Read More: Obamacare Continues to Destabilize Health InsuranceState Budget
Op-Ed: Should Pennsylvanians Pay More for The Walking Dead?
Thanks to last year’s state budget, you’re paying more to watch House of Cards. This year, The Walking Dead—and a host of other cable TV shows—could cost you more, too. …
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Should Pennsylvanians Pay More for The Walking Dead?State Budget
The Tax Hike Non-Solution
Contrary to the prevailing media narrative, it appears budget negotiations have taken a positive turn. According to Jason Gottesman of The PLS Reporter (paywall), House Republicans—led by Speaker Mike Turzai—have offered…
Media
Read More: The Tax Hike Non-SolutionTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Poor Showings Aren’t Permanent
The commonwealth continues to score poorly in 24/7 Wall St.’s list of the nation’s best-and worst-run states, ranking 42nd right between neighbors West Virginia and New Jersey. Put differently, Pennsylvania is…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Poor Showings Aren’t PermanentRegulation
Rescuing Pennsylvania from Fiscal Shipwreck
The state’s shaky fiscal position is no secret. Lawmakers continue to negotiate behind closed doors to eliminate the current deficit and pay for new spending in the $32…
Media
Read More: Rescuing Pennsylvania from Fiscal ShipwreckRegulation
Wolf Targets Job Creators for Tax Hikes
At the top of Governor Wolf’s revenue wish list sits an even higher severance tax on natural gas. Yet, this tax would fail to balance the budget and cause further economic stagnation by suppressing existing revenue streams…
Media
Read More: Wolf Targets Job Creators for Tax Hikes