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.

Health Care

Lawmakers Stand up for Taxpayers, Reject Medicaid Expansion

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 2, 2013

Yesterday, 108 House Representatives voted to protect taxpayers from an expansion of the broken and unaffordable Medicaid program. You can thank them here. Medicaid expansion is an optional part of…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Disappointing Budget Shows Need to Keep Fighting

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • July 1, 2013

This past weekend was not for the political faint of heart. Special interests, led by government union bosses and crony capitalists, prevented real liquor privatization and effective pension reform from…

Media

Read More: Disappointing Budget Shows Need to Keep Fighting

Regulation

Liquor Liberty Coming to PA?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 29, 2013

Early this morning, the Pennsylvania Senate passed an amendment written by Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi to the historic liquor privatization bill that passed the House three months ago. …

Media

Read More: Liquor Liberty Coming to PA?

Health Care

Medicaid Expansion is Risky Business

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 29, 2013

Both Republicans and Democrats have recently engaged in some risky business by pushing for the Medicaid expansion. They’ve been quick to assure state taxpayers they won’t be left with an enormous…

Media

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Regulation

New Senate Liquor Proposal Still Falls Short, Part Deux

  • June 28, 2013

The Senate’s latest liquor proposal is out, but from the consumer perspective, leaves much to be desired. The plan does not get government out of the booze business. Although…

Media

Read More: New Senate Liquor Proposal Still Falls Short, Part Deux

Regulation

Podcast: Where Does Pension Reform Stand?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 28, 2013

On this BOX Program podcast, Representative Fred Keller (R) 85th District, joins Nathan Benefield to break down what’s been happening in the legislature on pension reform. Both the House and…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Where Does Pension Reform Stand?

Government Accountability

What Can You Do?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 27, 2013

The next hours and days could dramatically shape Pennsylvania’s future, but will it be for the better? As time winds down before the final budget passes, several critical issues hang…

Media

Read More: What Can You Do?

Regulation

Pension Reform Benefits Workers and Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 27, 2013

Pennsylvania’s two main government worker pension systems, the Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employee Retirement System (SERS), together have more tha than $47 billion in unfunded…

Media

Read More: Pension Reform Benefits Workers and Taxpayers

Government Accountability

Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” Thingamajig

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 26, 2013

A few readers responded to my op-ed on corporate tax reform, asking “If you want fairness, why don’t you support ‘ending the Delaware Loophole’?” Unfortunately, many believe that the…

Media

Read More: Mailbag: That “Delaware Loophole” Thingamajig

Taxes & Economy

Double Taxation = Double Trouble for PA Businesses

  • June 25, 2013

It can’t be easy being a business owner in Pennsylvania. Combined with the federal tax rate, Pennsylvania businesses pay the second highest tax rate on their profits in the entire…

Media

Read More: Double Taxation = Double Trouble for PA Businesses

Regulation

Putting Pension Projections in Perspective

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2013

Critics of pension reform cite certain actuarial reports claiming that shifting new employees to a defined contribution plan (like a 401(k) in the private sector) will actually cost taxpayers more. …

Media

Read More: Putting Pension Projections in Perspective

Regulation

Senate Liquor Proposal Passes Committee

  • June 24, 2013

This afternoon, Sen. Charles McIlhinney’s liquor sales reform proposal passed out of committee by a vote of 6-5.  Changes are expected to be made to the bill – changes we…

Media

Read More: Senate Liquor Proposal Passes Committee

Education

6 Trends in Public School Spending

  • Nathan Benefield, Priya Brannick
  • June 24, 2013

The Pennsylvania Department of Education recently updated files from public schools’ annual financial reports and enrollment reports. Here are six key trends from those data.

Memo

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Regulation

PLCB Ultimatum: Our Way or the Highway

  • June 24, 2013

With the PLCB, control is the name of the game—in more ways than one. Not content with having both hands—retail and wholesale—in wine and liquor sales in the state, now,…

Media

Read More: PLCB Ultimatum: Our Way or the Highway

Health Care

Budget Could Transform Pa., For Good or Ill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 21, 2013

About one week remains for lawmakers to finalize a state budget. But along with a spending plan, a number of major policy reforms remain in the mix. The outcomes of…

Media

Read More: Budget Could Transform Pa., For Good or Ill

Public Union Democracy

Budget Opens Door for Prevailing Wage Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 20, 2013

Before taxpayers are asked to give more for Pennsylvania’s transportation needs, are current transportation tax dollars being spent wisely? That’s the question several lawmakers are asking, as time winds down…

Media

Read More: Budget Opens Door for Prevailing Wage Reform

Public Union Democracy

Nation Laughs at Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2013

The state government liquor store union is once again running ads showing a young girl at a funeral mourning a parent killed by a drunk driver, then claiming this will…

Media

Read More: Nation Laughs at Pennsylvania

Regulation

Pension Reform Bill on the Move

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 19, 2013

We applaud the Senate Finance Committee for moving meaningful pension reform legislation. The Committee advanced SB 922 to put all new state and school district employees into a defined…

Media

Read More: Pension Reform Bill on the Move

Regulation

Senate Liquor Proposal Falls Short

  • June 19, 2013

Senate Liquor Proposal Falls Short Harrisburg, PA – Matthew J. Brouillette, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, issued a response to Sen. McIlhinney’s liquor reform proposal: Pennsylvanians are demanding…

Press Release

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Regulation

Podcast: Fixing Public Pensions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 19, 2013

Two new BOX Program podcasts offer illuminating insight into our public pension crisis and how lawmakers can help fix the broken system. First, Matt talks with former Utah State…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Fixing Public Pensions

Regulation

Senate Liquor “Reform” Falls Short

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 18, 2013

This afternoon, Sen. Chuck McIlhinney introduced his liquor “reform” plan which falls short in delivering the convenience, selection, and pricing that Pennsylvanians demand. His proposal, which keeps the state-owned and…

Media

Read More: Senate Liquor “Reform” Falls Short