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.

Government Accountability

Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. Pensions

  • Catherine Fitzhugh
  • October 6, 2016

In a recent interview with Stephanie Renee, host of WURD AM’s The Mojo, Nathan Benefield discussed the roots of Pennsylvania’s pension crisis and how to fix it. Pension debt has stacked up…

Media

Read More: Audio Blog: Expectations Exceed Reality with Pa. Pensions

Regulation

Fighting for Survival

  • September 27, 2016

Yesterday was an emotional day for many. Hundreds of people from Pennsylvania’s vaping community traveled to Harrisburg to save their livelihoods and their way of life. The rally to repeal…

Media

Read More: Fighting for Survival

Taxes & Economy

House Committee Votes to Save Vape Shops

  • September 27, 2016

House Committee Votes to Save Vape Shops  Bipartisan Vote Would Repeal 40-Percent Tax, Replace with Per-Milliliter Tax September 27, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Today, the House Finance Committee voted 19-4 to…

Press Release

Read More: House Committee Votes to Save Vape Shops

Education

Pennsylvania’s Economy is Struggling

  • September 27, 2016

Americans finally got a raise! That's the gist of recent headlines hailing significant economic growth in 2015, but in Pennsylvania the economy is still struggling.  From 1991 to 2015,…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy is Struggling

Taxes & Economy

Tax Sends Vape Shops Up in Smoke

  • September 23, 2016

Imagine you find a way to help others live healthier lives, and this passion leads you to invest your savings to start a related small business. Now, imagine state government…

Commentary

Read More: Tax Sends Vape Shops Up in Smoke

Energy

Lessons from Fracking’s Borderlines

  • Gordon Tomb
  • September 20, 2016

New Yorkers shouldn’t have to eye secession to tap the riches beneath their feet. Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to worry that taxes and regulations will drive away opportunity and raise energy…

Commentary

Read More: Lessons from Fracking’s Borderlines

Regulation

How to Fix the Vape Tax

  • September 19, 2016

The House will return to session later today, with the Senate to follow early next week. The two chambers are in session for a total of nine days. This gives lawmakers a limited…

Media

Read More: How to Fix the Vape Tax

Education

Facts about the State Share of School Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 19, 2016

Should the Pennsylvania Supreme Court order the Legislature to give billions more dollars to school districts? That's what a recent lawsuit demands. But to make their case to the public, the lawsuit's advocates…

Media

Read More: Facts about the State Share of School Funding

Regulation

PA’s Liquor Monopoly is in Red Ink Again

  • September 14, 2016

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is boasting about record sales again. But as we've pointed out in the past, that’s not much of a feat when you have a…

Media

Read More: PA’s Liquor Monopoly is in Red Ink Again

State Budget

Gov. Wolf Is Exacerbating Inequality

  • September 13, 2016

Gov. Wolf is embracing a government that works for the wealthy and well-connected. Yesterday, his administration announced its intention to commit more than $20.5 million to Aramark just to…

Media

Read More: Gov. Wolf Is Exacerbating Inequality

Education

Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 7, 2016

APSCUF—the union representing faculty at state-owned universities—has begun a vote to authorize a strike. One of APSCUF's complaints with the proposed contract is higher health care expenses. In…

Media

Read More: Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

Regulation

The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get Less

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 7, 2016

Pennsylvania's pension debt stands at $63 billion or more than $4,900 per resident. It's a big number to be sure, but what does it mean for the average Pennsylvanian? What does it…

Media

Read More: The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get Less

Regulation

Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time

  • September 7, 2016

Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time $18 Billion SERS Unfunded Liability Breakdown Shows Urgent Need for Reform September 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers mull major…

Press Release

Read More: Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time

State Budget

Facing Likely Deficit, Lawmakers Should Reduce Spending

  • August 31, 2016

Fiscal responsibility is at a premium across the country, and Pennsylvania is no exception. In June, lawmakers passed a budget that increased spending by $1.6 billion. Weeks later, they passed…

Media

Read More: Facing Likely Deficit, Lawmakers Should Reduce Spending

Health Care

Obamacare is Failing, But States can Bring Hope

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 29, 2016

Obamacare is struggling for survival. Despite victories in the courts, state exchanges are in trouble, and Medicaid expansion has been more costly than expected—with no evidence of improved health outcomes.

Media

Read More: Obamacare is Failing, But States can Bring Hope

Taxes & Economy

How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?

  • August 25, 2016

Pennsylvania’s tax structure should benefit all Pennsylvanians, not just some. Unfortunately, our state’s stifling tax burden harms residents. Each year, government spending grows, increasing the pressure for higher taxes. These…

Fact Sheet

Read More: How Does Pennsylvania’s Tax Burden Compare?

State Budget

Podcast: How Money Walks Out of Pennsylvania

  • August 24, 2016

Last year, nearly 42,000 Pennsylvanians left the state to pursue their dreams elsewhere—that's one person every 12 and a half minutes. Why is money walking out of Pennsylvania? That’s…

Media

Read More: Podcast: How Money Walks Out of Pennsylvania

Taxes & Economy

Welfare to Work Helped Reduce Poverty

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 22, 2016

Twenty years ago President Clinton signed a law creating Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), better known as sweeping welfare reform grounded in work requirements. In 1996, 531,000 adults and…

Media

Read More: Welfare to Work Helped Reduce Poverty

Regulation

State Government is Killing My Business

  • August 22, 2016

In 2013, I opened my first business. I’d overcome many challenges and assumed some gut-wrenching risks to get there, but I did it—and I was proud. But less than three…

Commentary

Read More: State Government is Killing My Business

State Budget

More Victims of Devastating New Tax Speak Out

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 15, 2016

Amy Crivella was addicted to cigarettes. She tried everything—gum, patches, going cold turkey—but nothing worked. Then, she tried e-cigarettes, or vaping, and she didn’t need a cigarette for the first time…

Media

Read More: More Victims of Devastating New Tax Speak Out