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.
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Taxes & Economy
Dubious Deficit Discussions
Just how big is Pennsylvania’s structural deficit? And what does that term even mean? Although some news outlets reported Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders came to an agreement on the…
Media
Read More: Dubious Deficit DiscussionsRegulation
Pension Debt Strangles Local Government
Pension reform commands a great deal of attention in Harrisburg these days, and deservedly so. Pension systems for state and public school employees are in bad shape, and reform…
Media
Read More: Pension Debt Strangles Local GovernmentRegulation
Ten Facts on Pension Reform
Pension costs are ballooning, threatening to consume funds for education, public safety and welfare. Without timely reform, Pennsylvanians will face cuts to services, teacher layoffs, and higher property taxes. Yet…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Ten Facts on Pension ReformState Budget
Four Facets of Wolf’s Tax Plan
On Wednesday, I testified before the Senate Finance Committee on the effects of Gov. Wolf’s proposed tax increases. My testimony covered four key areas. 1) Wolf’s plan represents more of…
Media
Read More: Four Facets of Wolf’s Tax PlanHealth Care
Affordable Care Act Brings Unaffordable Premium Hikes
Pennsylvania insurance companies are asking for dramatic premium hikes on exchange plans. Highmark underestimated the cost of care for individuals on the exchange and is now requesting a 23%…
Media
Read More: Affordable Care Act Brings Unaffordable Premium HikesState Budget
Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Budget Hurts Everyone
Despite Gov. Wolf campaigning on giving the middle-class a tax cut, his budget plan will raise taxes for every income group. Disapproval of his tax plan was made…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Budget Hurts EveryoneEducation
Will Tax Shifting Help Public Schools?
As I pointed out yesterday in a chart and blog post, Pennsylvania spends significantly more per student on public schools than the national average. Moreover, increased spending has…
Media
Read More: Will Tax Shifting Help Public Schools?Taxes & Economy
The Invisible Severance Tax
Did you know Pennsylvania imposes a severance tax on natural gas workers? It’s known as an impact fee, but it operates just like a severance tax. The fee…
Media
Read More: The Invisible Severance TaxRegulation
Wolf’s Cradle-to-Grave Tax Plan Burdens Families, Sacrifices Jobs
Wolf’s Cradle-to-Grave Tax Plan Burdens Families,Sacrifices Jobs Prioritizing—Not Increasing—Spending is Better for Everyone Good morning, Gov. Wolf’s cradle-to-grave tax plan asks Pennsylvanians to sacrifice some big-ticket items—$1,400 per…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Cradle-to-Grave Tax Plan Burdens Families, Sacrifices JobsEnergy
Gas Tax Critics Champion, not Oppose, Progress
Recently, Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter to 17 business advocacy groups opposing his proposed severance tax on natural gas, accusing them of siding “with corporate special interests who simply…
Commentary
Read More: Gas Tax Critics Champion, not Oppose, ProgressPublic Union Democracy
Opening the Curtain on Government Unions
Because such labor contracts involve billions of taxpayer dollars, citizens have a right to know what each side is proposing before being legally obligated to fund them. In addition, Pennsylvania…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Opening the Curtain on Government UnionsTaxes & Economy
Audio: The True Impact of a Severance Tax
Gov. Wolf justifies his proposed natural gas severance tax with populist rhetoric, claiming Pennsylvania’s gas drillers aren’t paying their “fair share.” This is far from accurate. Gas drillers paid more…
Media
Read More: Audio: The True Impact of a Severance TaxGovernment Accountability
Podcast: Who Killed Harrisburg?
Who killed Harrisburg? That’s the question award-winning investigative reporter Chris Papst answers in his new book Capital Murder, which chronicles how Harrisburg became the only capital city in American…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Who Killed Harrisburg?State Budget
Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Budget Harms Workers at All Income Levels
At the same time Gov. Wolf is claiming his budget proposal will bring a net tax reduction, an Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) study reveals his proposal would actually inflict…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Budget Harms Workers at All Income LevelsRegulation
Testimony: Pension Inaction Puts Public Employees at Risk
Pension Inaction Puts Public Employees at Risk New Retirement Plan Will Protect Teachers, Troopers, State Workers, and Taxpayers Good morning, Despite Pennsylvania’s public pension costs jumping $2 billion—or $600…
Press Release
Read More: Testimony: Pension Inaction Puts Public Employees at RiskEducation
Charters Drowning in Red Tape
What could your family, business, or place of work do with an extra 700 hours? This is a question Pennsylvania charter schools are likely asking after a new report from…
Media
Read More: Charters Drowning in Red TapeTaxes & Economy
All Pennsylvanians Would Pay for Nation’s Highest Severance Tax
Gov. Wolf proposed a natural gas extraction tax on Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry to make drillers pay what union special interests dub their “fair share.” In testimony to…
Media
Read More: All Pennsylvanians Would Pay for Nation’s Highest Severance TaxState Budget
Zero Votes for Wolf Tax Hikes
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted on Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed tax increase—the largest in Pennsylvania’s history. The tax proposal failed by a 0-193 vote. That’s right, not a…
Media
Read More: Zero Votes for Wolf Tax HikesEducation
Testimony: Natural Gas Tax Costs Jobs, Threatens Family Budgets
Natural Gas Tax Costs Jobs, Threatens Family Budgets Fixing Pensions & School Funding Formula Better Solutions for Education Good morning, Today, Commonwealth Foundation Vice President of Policy Analysis Nathan…
Press Release
Read More: Testimony: Natural Gas Tax Costs Jobs, Threatens Family BudgetsEducation
Natural Gas Severance Tax
Pennsylvania Senate Environmental Resources Energy Committee And Finance Committee Good afternoon. I want to thank Chairmen Yaw and Yudichak and Chairmen Eichelberger and Blake, along with the…
Testimony
Read More: Natural Gas Severance TaxState Budget
PA Budget Live Chat
Friday at noon we’ll be hosting a live chat on the Pennsylvania state budget.
Media
Read More: PA Budget Live Chat