Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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
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 CostsTaxes & 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?