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

Podcast: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

  • October 19, 2016

What are the roots of conservatism? How has conservatism and its messengers changed over time and what are the consequences for the nation? Political commentator Matt Lewis, author of “…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Matt Lewis on the Roots of Conservatism

Health Care

Record Premium Hikes Hit Pa. Exchange

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 18, 2016

Pennsylvanians shopping on the health care exchange are in for a rude awakening. Yesterday the Insurance Department announced premiums for individual plans will increase by an average of 32…

Media

Read More: Record Premium Hikes Hit Pa. Exchange

Government Accountability

How Much is Too Much for Pa. School Districts?

  • James Paul
  • October 17, 2016

Why are taxpayers being charged for money left unspent? This question is posed by NBC 10 reporter Mitch Blacher to public school administrators in southeastern Pennsylvania districts. An NBC investigation…

Media

Read More: How Much is Too Much for Pa. School Districts?

Regulation

Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the Hook

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 13, 2016

In the past six years, Pennsylvania taxpayers’ unfunded pension liability has more than doubled from less than $30 billion to $63 billion. While the legislative debate over reform continues, Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the Hook

Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016

  • October 7, 2016

Pennsylvania’s state budget is three months old and showing signs of a major budget deficit. Actual revenue collections are already behind $218.5 million through the first quarter, according to…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016

Criminal Justice Reform

Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Effort Gutted

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 7, 2016

North Philadelphian Carol Johnson* saved $2,000 from her pension checks by storing the money in an upstairs bedroom. One day, the 87 year old's savings vanished in a matter…

Media

Read More: Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Effort Gutted

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