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.

Regulation

$56 Billion & Counting: PA’s Pension Liability

  • James Paul
  • March 10, 2016

The state pension boards testified before the General Assembly this week and reported a combined unfunded liability of more than $56 billion. Contrary to claims that “we should let…

Media

Read More: $56 Billion & Counting: PA’s Pension Liability

Regulation

Poll: How Can Pennsylvania Beat Florida?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 8, 2016

In the Wall Street Journal, Florida Governor Rick Scott makes a mockery of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and his quest to raise taxes, calling Wolf one of his “favorite governors.”…

Media

Read More: Poll: How Can Pennsylvania Beat Florida?

Taxes & Economy

The Dark Side of Raising the Wage

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 8, 2016

Eunice Medina is a childcare worker living in Oakland, California. Last March, the city instituted a $12.55 minimum wage, leaving Eunice with fewer workdays and reduced hours. Across the…

Media

Read More: The Dark Side of Raising the Wage

Taxes & Economy

Wolf’s Wage Hike: Big Promises, Bigger Fallout

  • March 7, 2016

Wolf’s Wage Hike: Big Promises, Bigger Fallout Governor Unilaterally Raises Minimum Wage for State Workers, But at What Cost? March 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today, Gov. Wolf will…

Press Release

Read More: Wolf’s Wage Hike: Big Promises, Bigger Fallout

Regulation

Why Did Wolf Veto PERC Funding?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 7, 2016

Some positive news emerged last week, Gov. Wolf agreed—as part of a lawsuit filed by Rep. Steve Bloom and Rep. Seth Grove—to a temporary deal to keep the Public…

Media

Read More: Why Did Wolf Veto PERC Funding?

Regulation

Should Economic Power Reside in Harrisburg?

  • March 4, 2016

Pennsylvania leads the nation…in corporate welfare. Since 2007, the commonwealth doled out more than $5.7 billion in economic subsidies to private organizations, which is just one of the many startling…

Media

Read More: Should Economic Power Reside in Harrisburg?

Energy

Governor Wolf’s Natural Gas Tax Proposal

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 2, 2016

Governor Wolf continues to press for a natural gas severance tax despite ongoing layoffs and potential bankruptcies in the natural gas industry.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Governor Wolf’s Natural Gas Tax Proposal

Regulation

We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare

  • March 2, 2016

We’re #1!  Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare Looking for State Budget Fixes? Cut $700 Million in Unfair Subsidies March 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Wolf administration claims important state…

Press Release

Read More: We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare

Regulation

The Costs of Corporate Welfare

  • March 2, 2016

Of the last 46 state budgets, only one did not increase total spending. This explosion has been fueled in part by special subsidies doled out to select businesses, creating an economic…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Costs of Corporate Welfare

Education

School Funding Myths Debunked

  • James Paul
  • February 29, 2016

Can Pennsylvania do better when it comes to educating our children? Absolutely. But playing “myths for money” will never lead to real solutions for families and students.

Commentary

Read More: School Funding Myths Debunked

State Budget

No One Person is to Blame for Pennsylvania’s Problems

  • February 26, 2016

Proponents of bigger goverment have crafted a narrative that government has been cut to the bone. Pennsylvania needs massive tax hikes, they say, to repair the damage done by Gov. Corbett, whose slash-and-burn budgeting…

Media

Read More: No One Person is to Blame for Pennsylvania’s Problems

Regulation

Addressing the Confusion on Compensation

  • February 23, 2016

Yesterday we issued a press release on public employee compensation, which is now causing quite a stir on social media. One commenter accused us of engaging in “shenanigans.” Another…

Media

Read More: Addressing the Confusion on Compensation

Regulation

Pennsylvania Must Control Compensation Costs

  • February 22, 2016

The soaring costs of public employee compensation, if left unchecked, could aggravate Pennsylvania’s financial troubles. The growth in employee benefits, which have skyrocketed since 2006, is driving this upward trend…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Must Control Compensation Costs

Regulation

Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each

  • February 22, 2016

Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each Benefit Costs Tripled Since 2000 February 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As Gov. Wolf calls for a record-high $80 billion…

Press Release

Read More: Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each

State Budget

Wolf’s Policies Send Pennsylvanians Packing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 19, 2016

Last year, we lost one person to another state every 12.5 minutes—a net migration of 41,600 residents, gone. That’s nearly the entire population of York, Gov. Wolf’s hometown. Ironically, Wolf…

Commentary

Read More: Wolf’s Policies Send Pennsylvanians Packing

Education

A Tale of Two School Districts

  • James Paul
  • February 19, 2016

North Allegheny School District and Pittsburgh School District are barely a dozen miles apart, but their budgeting approaches for the next fiscal year are worlds apart.   Thanks to rising pension…

Media

Read More: A Tale of Two School Districts

Taxes & Economy

The Fair Share Fallacy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 18, 2016

What is the natural gas industry's “fair share” of taxes? The answer depends on the calendar year. An analysis from the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) finds the current “impact fee” is effectively a 5.5…

Media

Read More: The Fair Share Fallacy

State Budget

One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want to Move Away

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 17, 2016

Residents in states with high taxes to want to move out, according to a recent Gallup poll. This includes 33 percent of Pennsylvania residents.  This shouldn't be a shocker—Pennsylvania families…

Media

Read More: One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want to Move Away

State Budget

One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want Out

  • February 17, 2016

One-Third of Pa. Residents Want Out High Taxes Driving Thousands of Pennsylvanians Across State Lines February 17, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—One-third of Pennsylvanians would rather move to another state than…

Press Release

Read More: One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want Out

Taxes & Economy

Press Pause on Clean Power Plan

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Gordon Tomb
  • February 16, 2016

In a historic move, the US Supreme Court stayed the EPA's Clean Power Plan, otherwise known as Obama's energy tax or stealth cap and trade. The court’s actions halt implementation…

Media

Read More: Press Pause on Clean Power Plan

Education

Wolf Tops $1 Billion in New Education Spending

  • James Paul
  • February 12, 2016

As expected, a cornerstone of Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal is a massive increase in state support of public schools. The administration seeks a $1.1 billion increase over the record-high funding…

Media

Read More: Wolf Tops $1 Billion in New Education Spending