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.

State Budget

Take the Budget off Autopilot

  • April 18, 2016

As Pennsylvania inches closer to another budget battle, you’re likely to hear the term “structural deficit” used more often. The term is defined as a multi-year shortfall between projected spending and revenue…

Media

Read More: Take the Budget off Autopilot

State Budget

Five Ways to Avoid Another Budget Hostage Crisis

  • April 13, 2016

The state budget impasse may be over, but Pennsylvanians are still reeling from Gov. Wolf’s budget vetoes. The Times-Tribune reports the Women’s Resource Center of Scranton, which serves domestic…

Media

Read More: Five Ways to Avoid Another Budget Hostage Crisis

State Budget

The Lone-Wolf Doctrine

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 13, 2016

The good news at the end of longest state budget impasse in 60 years is Pennsylvanians’ wallets were spared. The bad news? The governor developed and implemented a Lone-Wolf Doctrine…

Commentary

Read More: The Lone-Wolf Doctrine

Education

Governor Wolf’s 2015-16 Budget Myths

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 13, 2016

Governor Wolf claimed the 2015-16 budget could not be balanced without significant tax hikes. But there are two ways exist to close a budget deficit: raise revenue or cut spending.

Memo

Read More: Governor Wolf’s 2015-16 Budget Myths

Regulation

Wolf’s False Choice

  • March 31, 2016

If lawmakers don’t raise taxes, Pennsylvanians should brace for drastic cuts to education and human services. This myth is promoted endlessly by the Wolf Administration to justify taking…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s False Choice

Regulation

Rhetoric vs. Reality

  • March 25, 2016

Pennsylvania’s nine-month budget saga has concluded, but not everyone is pleased with the ending. The Philadelphia Inquirer published a caustic editorial criticizing state lawmakers for failing to surrender…

Media

Read More: Rhetoric vs. Reality

Regulation

Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden Pennsylvanians

  • Catherine Fitzhugh
  • March 25, 2016

State employee compensation costs have soared to nearly $93,000 per worker per year, with health care and pensions the largest contributors. Meanwhile, costly EPA mandates on carbon and mercury…

Media

Read More: Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden Pennsylvanians

Education

The Final Piece of Budget Business in Limbo

  • James Paul
  • March 24, 2016

After nine months of gridlock, Gov. Tom Wolf finally surrendered his 2015 quest for higher taxes on families and small businesses. On Monday morning, Pennsylvania will enjoy a completed state…

Media

Read More: The Final Piece of Budget Business in Limbo

State Budget

Victory Over Wolf Tax Hikes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2016

Pennsylvania's 267 day budget impasse has finally come to an end…with a taxpayer victory! HB 1801 will become law without Tom Wolf's signature. The governor refuses to sign the budget,…

Media

Read More: Victory Over Wolf Tax Hikes

Education

Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law

  • March 23, 2016

Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law Gov. Abandons 2015-16 Tax Hikes, Releases Record Funding for Cash-Strapped Schools March 23, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After keeping Pennsylvania in budget…

Press Release

Read More: Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law

Health Care

Improving Health Care Access While Cutting Costs

  • James Paul
  • March 23, 2016

Is it possible to improve health care access while also cutting a costs? Yes—according to a recent study by Edward Timmons of the Mercatus Center. Writing in U.S.

Media

Read More: Improving Health Care Access While Cutting Costs

Health Care

6 Reasons Obamacare is a Failure

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2016

Lower costs? Improved access? Six years later, the Affordable Care Act still falls painfully short of these noble goals. Years after most of the ACA's “goodies” have been implemented,…

Media

Read More: 6 Reasons Obamacare is a Failure

State Budget

Support for Wolf’s Hostage-Taking Is Breaking

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 22, 2016

Last week, Gov. Wolf indicated he plans to fully veto yet another budget. He said if schools face a “short term shutdown,” that could be “a good thing.”  Now, he’s realizing…

Media

Read More: Support for Wolf’s Hostage-Taking Is Breaking

Education

Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding?

  • March 22, 2016

Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding? Districts Nearing Financial Collapse as Governor Threatens Veto March 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Nearly one week after the legislature voted to send…

Press Release

Read More: Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding?

Health Care

6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary

  • March 21, 2016

6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary Problems Persist as Health Care System Flounders March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Lower costs? Improved access? Promises made—and broken—in the…

Press Release

Read More: 6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary

Regulation

PA Faces Another Costly EPA Mandate

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 21, 2016

President Obama’s energy tax—also known as the Clean Power Plan—is just one of many EPA mandates stifling Pennsylvania’s economy.  One mandate in particular imposes enormous costs on Pennsylvania farmers and…

Media

Read More: PA Faces Another Costly EPA Mandate

State Budget

What Is Wolf’s Plan?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 17, 2016

In his 2015 budget address, Gov. Wolf stated, “But if you don’t agree with my ideas, here is my request: please come with your own ideas. It’s not good enough…

Media

Read More: What Is Wolf’s Plan?

State Budget

Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget Veto

  • March 16, 2016

Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget Veto Balanced, No-Tax-Hike Budget with Record School Spending Nearing Wolf’s Desk March 16 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—With school districts across…

Press Release

Read More: Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget Veto

State Budget

Wolf’s Bad Budget Bluffs

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 16, 2016

The Senate just passed and the House will soon vote on another no-tax-hike, balanced budget for fiscal year 2015-16. Gov. Wolf has already promised to veto it. Remarkably, the governor…

Media

Read More: Wolf’s Bad Budget Bluffs

Regulation

Taxpayers on the Hook for Wolf’s Spending Binge

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 15, 2016

Despite the lack of a completed state budget, and no support for his unpopular tax hike proposals, Gov. Wolf continues to rack up additional costs for taxpayers:  Wolf's…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers on the Hook for Wolf’s Spending Binge