Fairness
A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is Irresponsible
Originally published by Penn Live. We hate to say, “We told you so.” But when it comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) demanding another state bailout, we told…
Read More: A SEPTA Bailout Is as Predictable as It Is IrresponsibleEvery 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
State Budget
Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working People
With little time left until the new fiscal year and fewer than two weeks to avoid another budget impasse, informal budget proposals are floating throughout the state Capitol. One proposal…
Media
Read More: Don’t Balance the Budget on the Backs of Working PeopleTaxes & Economy
Energy Mandates a Double Whammy
Alternative energy mandates raise the cost of living and make it harder for people to find work. These are the findings of a new paper on the government's futile efforts…
Media
Read More: Energy Mandates a Double WhammyPublic Union Democracy
Our Collision Course with Pa.’s Pension Iceberg
As Pennsylvania continues approaching the public pension iceberg at full speed, how can we avoid a collision? Simply put, through reforms that mirror steps taken by the private sector years…
Commentary
Read More: Our Collision Course with Pa.’s Pension IcebergPublic Union Democracy
PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension Reform
Pennsylvania's pension problem is nothing new. Over the years, lawmakers have tried to salvage the fundamentally broken system instead of creating a system that works. The latest attempt, SB…
Media
Read More: PA’s Long Tradition of Faux Pension ReformEducation
School Districts Amass Record Reserve Funds
Is your local school board planning to raise property taxes despite holding millions in reserve funds? For many Pennsylvania school districts, the answer may be “yes.” Check out…
Media
Read More: School Districts Amass Record Reserve FundsRegulation
House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, Underdelivers
House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, Underdelivers Senate Should Enact True Reform That Protects Pennsylvanians June 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The state House today passed a pension bill that promises reform…
Press Release
Read More: House Pension ‘Reform’ Overpromises, UnderdeliversEducation
‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per Pupil
‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per Pupil District Reserves Reach $4.3 Billion in 2014-15 as Attendance Declines June 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Contradicting the claim that Pennsylvania underfunds…
Press Release
Read More: ‘Underfunded’ Pa. Schools Spend Nearly $16,000 Per PupilRegulation
Corporate Welfare: The New Budget Hostage
Gov. Wolf is withholding approval of corporate welfare projects until lawmakers agree to advance his legislative agenda. According to a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story, administration aides told Senate Republicans no…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare: The New Budget HostageRegulation
Latest Plan Could Grow the Pension Iceberg
On the heels of bipartisan wine reform, the PA House is reportedly considering a pension reform plan that could actually increase pension costs. Known as a stacked-hybrid plan, the current bill…
Media
Read More: Latest Plan Could Grow the Pension IcebergRegulation
5 Reasons to Continue the Push for Liquor Privatization
Some lawmakers and the media have labeled the latest liquor reforms as “historic” and “sweeping.” The Patriot-News described the reform as the “most substantial overhaul of Pennsylvania's liquor system…
Media
Read More: 5 Reasons to Continue the Push for Liquor PrivatizationRegulation
Shell Cracker Plant Proves Taxes Matter to Job Creators
Workers hit by the natural gas slump in western PA received some much needed good news this week. Shell announced they will proceed with building a multibillion dollar chemical…
Media
Read More: Shell Cracker Plant Proves Taxes Matter to Job CreatorsRegulation
Wolf’s Wine Signature a First Step Toward Privatization
Wolf’s Wine Signature a First Step Toward Privatization Pitfalls of Government-Run Liquor Remain Unaddressed June 8, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Gov. Wolf’s anticipated signature today on HB 1690, which allows…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Wine Signature a First Step Toward PrivatizationEducation
Is $27 Billion Enough?
Is $27 billion enough money for Pennsylvania's public schools? This is the question policymakers must answer before voting to raise taxes on …
Media
Read More: Is $27 Billion Enough?Regulation
Wine Expansion Improves Convenience But Falls Short of Privatization
Wine Expansion Improves Convenience But Falls Short of Privatization Government Liquor Monopoly Remains Unaddressed June 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, the state House passed legislation allowing select grocery stores…
Press Release
Read More: Wine Expansion Improves Convenience But Falls Short of PrivatizationPublic Union Democracy
Pennsylvania’s Pension Funds Still on a Collision Course
If Pennsylvania were a ship, say the Titanic, then the iceberg that ship is bearing down on is the commonwealth’s public pension funds. At a combined $63.2 billion in debt,…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Pension Funds Still on a Collision CourseRegulation
Erase Corporate Welfare from the Budget
Pennsylvania’s tradition of concentrating economic power in the hands of a few has proven to be inadequate at best, and harmful at worst. Corporate welfare spending makes this concentration…
Media
Read More: Erase Corporate Welfare from the BudgetRegulation
Pennsylvania is Losing Ground
Pennsylvania’s economic performance wasn’t always subpar. In the first half of the twentieth century, the commonwealth’s personal income per capita exceeded the national average. It then descended into mediocrity. While Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania is Losing GroundState Budget
Tax Hike Alternatives Could Spare Pennsylvanians’ Pocketbooks
Tax Hike Alternatives Could Spare Pennsylvanians’ Pocketbooks Taxpayers’ Caucus Report Unveils Billions in Savings May 24, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As Gov. Wolf pushes for a multi-billion tax…
Press Release
Read More: Tax Hike Alternatives Could Spare Pennsylvanians’ PocketbooksTaxes & Economy
PA Business Climate isn’t Winning any “Miss Congeniality” Contests
Why would one of Pennsylvania’s largest natural gas producers suddenly switch from selling all non-Pennsylvania assets to purchasing a $3.3 billion Houston company that operates exclusively in…
Media
Read More: PA Business Climate isn’t Winning any “Miss Congeniality” ContestsEducation
An Easy Way to Give School Budgets a Boost
“I want to put more education dollars in our classrooms, not our school buses,” said Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, while releasing an analysis of 19 school districts that exceeded…
Media
Read More: An Easy Way to Give School Budgets a BoostState Budget
Bad Budget Trends Must Be Reversed
Government spending has gradually risen for decades, until it suddenly exploded during Gov. Ed Rendell’s tenure. After the profligacy of the Rendell years, spending growth stabilized, but it’s still on an…
Media
Read More: Bad Budget Trends Must Be Reversed