Prosperity
Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperity
Originally published on LNP On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro will deliver his first annual state budget address to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. While he hasn’t unveiled the details of…
Read More: Reforms would reduce poverty, increase prosperityEvery 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
Regulation
Growing Bipartisan Support for Municipal Pension Reform
On Tuesday, a task force spearheaded by Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released its recommendation for municipal pension reform. The report recommends, among other things, more transparency and accountability in municipal…
Media
Read More: Growing Bipartisan Support for Municipal Pension ReformPublic Union Democracy
Pivotal Pension Reform Passes to Wolf
Yesterday, the General Assembly passed landmark legislation to free homeowners from skyrocketing property taxes, make school budgets go further, and protect public employees from politics. SB 1 bill reforms…
Media
Read More: Pivotal Pension Reform Passes to WolfRegulation
One Signature Will End PA’s Prohibition
The Pennsylvania legislature made history yesterday. For the first time since the creation of the state-controlled liquor system in 1933, both houses of the General Assembly voted to remove government…
Media
Read More: One Signature Will End PA’s ProhibitionEducation
Gov. Wolf, Don’t Raises Taxes on Working People
My letter to the editor in the Pocono Record tackles some of the myths about educations spending and Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed tax increase—and why, after the House of Represented rejected…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf, Don’t Raises Taxes on Working PeopleState Budget
Wolf Plays Politics of the Past with Budget Veto
Wolf Plays Politics of the Past with Budget Veto Governor’s Own Plan Grossly out of Step with 49 Other States July 1, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Within hours of receiving the…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Plays Politics of the Past with Budget VetoRegulation
Pension Reform Promises Fair,Sustainable Retirement for State Workers
Pension Reform Promises Fair,Sustainable Retirement for State Workers Protects New Employees’ Retirements from Political Manipulation Last night, the Pennsylvania Legislature sent a monumental public pension reform measure to…
Press Release
Read More: Pension Reform Promises Fair,Sustainable Retirement for State WorkersRegulation
Pa Legislature Passes Historic Liquor Privatization
Pa Legislature Passes Historic Liquor Privatization Only Governor Wolf Stands in the Way of Ending State’s Prohibition-Era Booze Monopoly Last night, the Pennsylvania General Assembly sent historic liquor privatization…
Press Release
Read More: Pa Legislature Passes Historic Liquor PrivatizationState Budget
Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike, Pro-Growth Budget
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: John Bouder, 570-490-1042 Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike,Pro-Growth Budget Taxpayer-Friendly Alternative to Gov. Wolf’s Tax-And-Spend Plan June 30, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today,…
Press Release
Read More: Legislature Passes Responsible No-Tax-Hike, Pro-Growth BudgetState Budget
Audio: Wolf’s Tax Increase Dwarfs All Other States
Compared to the 49 other states, Gov. Wolf’s budget inflicts a tax increase that dwarfs all others–in fact, it’s 8 times larger than the state with the next highest tax…
Media
Read More: Audio: Wolf’s Tax Increase Dwarfs All Other StatesRegulation
The Myth of the Modest Pension
One of the specious arguments used to thwart pension reform centers on the average benefits of retirees. Opponents of reform claim the “average pension benefit” is around $25,000 annually. But…
Media
Read More: The Myth of the Modest PensionState Budget
Has Wolf Dropped His Unpopular Tax Demands?
Throughout this state budget debate, Gov. Wolf has touted his natural gas severance tax to fund education. And some reporters refer to the severance tax as the “cornerstone” or “…
Media
Read More: Has Wolf Dropped His Unpopular Tax Demands?Taxes & Economy
Why a Severance Tax is a Bad Idea
As lawmakers work on passing a state budget, one of Gov. Wolf’s top priorities—a severance tax on the natural gas industry—is being hotly debated. Here are six reasons why a…
Media
Read More: Why a Severance Tax is a Bad IdeaState Budget
Family Ties or Government Bonds?
Family ties can bind us together across any cultural or class boundary. Maintaining and promoting them should be our first priority. But while politicians routinely give lip service to helping…
Commentary
Read More: Family Ties or Government Bonds?State Budget
Budget Protects Working Families from Massive Tax Increases
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: John Bouder, 570-490-1042 PA Budget Protects Working Familiesfrom Massive Tax Increases No-Tax-Hike Spending Plan Good for Low & Middle Income…
Press Release
Read More: Budget Protects Working Families from Massive Tax IncreasesHealth Care
Losers Outnumber Winners Under King v Burwell Decision
Yesterday’s US Supreme Court decision to uphold taxpayer subsidies on healthcare.gov brought a collective sigh of relief to Pennsylvanians, like Barbara, who depend on subsidies to make health insurance…
Media
Read More: Losers Outnumber Winners Under King v Burwell DecisionHealth Care
King v. Burwell Highlights Need for Obamacare Alternatives
King v. Burwell Highlights Need forObamacare Alternatives Exchange Plans Restrictive and Unaffordable Even with Subsidies Good morning, Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in King v. Burwell that…
Press Release
Read More: King v. Burwell Highlights Need for Obamacare AlternativesRegulation
Strip Clubs and the Case for Liquor Privatization
Strip club entertainment A stay at the Ritz Carlton Pittsburgh Steelers tickets Philadelphia Eagles tickets iPad 2 World Series ticket This is a just a short list of the items…
Media
Read More: Strip Clubs and the Case for Liquor PrivatizationTaxes & Economy
30,000 Future Jobs at Risk
Middle class job opportunities are at risk. We all know that strong middle class employment is at the heart of a healthy economy, but Gov. Wolf’s massive tax increases would…
Media
Read More: 30,000 Future Jobs at RiskState Budget
Who Pays For a Severance Tax?
Proponents of a new natural gas tax—which would be in addition to the existing impact fee (tax) and other taxes extractors already pay—ignore the consequences new taxes will have…
Media
Read More: Who Pays For a Severance Tax?State Budget
How Does Gov. Wolf’s Tax Plan Stand Up?
How out of whack is Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed $4.6 billion tax increase? Pretty far out there compared with the rest of the nation, according to a new report…
Media
Read More: How Does Gov. Wolf’s Tax Plan Stand Up?Education
School Districts Overwhelmed by Pension Costs
Pennsylvania’s public sector pension crisis is undeniable. Consider the burden it places on local school districts, whose pension contributions increased from $1.4 billion in 2012-13 to $1.9…
Media
Read More: School Districts Overwhelmed by Pension Costs