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.

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

Read More: Senate Liquor Proposal Falls Short

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

Regulation

Get Rid of the Government Middleman

  • June 18, 2013

If lower prices and greater selection are what you’re looking for, you won’t get it unless the government privatizes retail and wholesale operations. If the PLCB maintains its monopoly on…

Commentary

Read More: Get Rid of the Government Middleman

Regulation

Red Carpets Trip Up Real Tax Reform

  • June 18, 2013

When Rocky Balboa triumphantly climbed the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum in the 1976 blockbuster film Rocky, he did it without a special government handout.  But now Hollywood lobbyists…

Media

Read More: Red Carpets Trip Up Real Tax Reform

Taxes & Economy

Pa’s Economy Improves, But Far from the Best

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 17, 2013

Things are looking somewhat up for Pennsylvania’s economy, according to the annual Rich States, Poor States published by ALEC. The 2013 edition ranks Pennsylvania 34th in economic outlook, up…

Media

Read More: Pa’s Economy Improves, But Far from the Best

Regulation

We’re Not There Yet!

  • June 14, 2013

We’ve all fought long and hard for Pennsylvania to finally enter the 21st century and end government control of alcohol sales. We’ve never been closer, but we’re not there yet.

Media

Read More: We’re Not There Yet!

Education

Pension Cost Conundrum: Cut Teachers or Raise Taxes?

  • June 14, 2013

A recent report released by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute estimates Philadelphia School District (SDP) pension payments will total $349 million by 2020, which is a 378 percent increase…

Media

Read More: Pension Cost Conundrum: Cut Teachers or Raise Taxes?

Regulation

Poll: Privatization must include wholesale

  • June 13, 2013

Eliminate the Government Middleman: Poll Shows Privatizing Retail Alcohol Sales without Wholesale Privatization Insufficient Harrisburg, PA  – A new poll conducted on June 11th by Red Maverick…

Press Release

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State Budget

The Case for Corbett’s Tax Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 13, 2013

Combined with the federal tax rate, Pennsylvania businesses pay the second highest tax on their profits in the entire industrialized world.

Commentary

Read More: The Case for Corbett’s Tax Reform

Regulation

Goverment Middleman Bad for Consumers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 12, 2013

The Scranton Times Tribune has an excellent editorial explaining that the state government monopoly over liquor wholesale is just a bad as its monopoly over wine and spirits retail…

Media

Read More: Goverment Middleman Bad for Consumers