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.

Regulation

Podcast: Why Does Wholesale Privatization Matter?

  • June 10, 2013

For most of us, liquor privatization means making liquor more convenient and affordable by getting rid of Prohibition era, state-run stores and unleashing the power of the private sector. But…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Why Does Wholesale Privatization Matter?

Regulation

Shocking Sheetz Statement Shames Senator

  • June 7, 2013

Fellow Pennsylvanians, we’ve all been there: road-weary on a long drive home, hungry and low on gas, and there it is…a big, red beacon of hope and MTOs…you have made…

Media

Read More: Shocking Sheetz Statement Shames Senator

State Budget

Senate Transportation Proposal Rolls On

  • June 6, 2013

In a bipartisan vote, the state Senate approved a bill that would fund a $2.5 billion increase in Pennsylvania’s transportation funding. Like Gov. Corbett’s…

Media

Read More: Senate Transportation Proposal Rolls On

Regulation

Government Wholesale Monopoly Bad for Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2013

Testimony to the Senate Law and Justice Committee yesterday illustrated why wholesale privatization must be a part of “modernizing” liquor sales in Pennsylvania. The PLCB’s wholesale monopoly can’t serve current,…

Media

Read More: Government Wholesale Monopoly Bad for Pennsylvania

Health Care

More Reasons to Pass on Medicaid Expansion

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 5, 2013

Elected officials are standing strong in their opposition to the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, despite a number of “independent studies” touting the benefits of “…

Media

Read More: More Reasons to Pass on Medicaid Expansion

Regulation

New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

  • June 5, 2013

The final Senate hearing on liquor privatization has concluded, where do things stand for Pennsylvania taxpayers and consumers? Carl Marrara, director of government affairs for Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association and…

Media

Read More: New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

Regulation

Time is Ticking

  • June 4, 2013

This morning marks the final hearing in the Senate on the House-approved proposal to privatize Pennsylvania’s Prohibition-era liquor system.  Time is ticking for the Senate to finally end the government…

Media

Read More: Time is Ticking

Regulation

CF: Wholesale Privatization Key to Greater Selection, Lower Prices

  • June 3, 2013

Contact: John Bouder (717) 671-1901 | JBouder@commonwealthfoundation.org As the Senate Law and Justice Committee concludes hearings on privatization of liquor sales, the Commonwealth Foundation has released the following fact…

Press Release

Read More: CF: Wholesale Privatization Key to Greater Selection, Lower Prices

Regulation

Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year Later

  • May 31, 2013

On June 1, it will be one year since Washington state ended its government monopoly on liquor sales. To mark the occasion, the Seattle Times has provided a nice…

Media

Read More: Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year Later

Public Union Democracy

Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?

  • May 31, 2013

Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. What are our options? The current system is…

Media

Read More: Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?

Education

Cyber School Funding in Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Priya Brannick
  • May 30, 2013

Cyber schools currently spend significantly less per student than school districts and only represent about 1% of spending on public education. Discrepancies in cyber school funding are the result of…

Memo

Read More: Cyber School Funding in Pennsylvania

Regulation

Liquor Monopoly: Turning Citizens into Criminals

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 28, 2013

Last weekend’s Memorial Day celebration got off to a rocky start for three Pennsylvanians who were issued citations by state police. Their crime? Looking for greater selection and lower…

Media

Read More: Liquor Monopoly: Turning Citizens into Criminals

Regulation

Myth: PLCB vs Largest Wholesalers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 28, 2013

One popular myth in the liquor debate is that the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has enormous “buying power” that benefits Pennsylvanians. The story goes that the state is the largest, or…

Media

Read More: Myth: PLCB vs Largest Wholesalers

Public Union Democracy

Pension Crisis Facts: Are 401(k)s Enough?

  • May 24, 2013

Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. What are our options? The current system is…

Media

Read More: Pension Crisis Facts: Are 401(k)s Enough?

Regulation

Diddy & PLCB: It’s All about the Benjamins

  • May 23, 2013

On Wednesday, Harrisburg was graced with a visit from Hip Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, hawking premium Cîroc vodka to Pennsylvania entrepreneurs business owners…

Media

Read More: Diddy & PLCB: It’s All about the Benjamins

Regulation

Privatization Opponents: Distorting or Ill-Informed?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 22, 2013

Critics of liquor store privatization claim that a CDC study suggests liquor privatization would result in greater social harms.  The problem: The flawed study doesn’t support that claim, and…

Media

Read More: Privatization Opponents: Distorting or Ill-Informed?

Regulation

Pension Crisis Facts: What Are Our Options?

  • May 22, 2013

Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers.  What are our options? The current system is…

Media

Read More: Pension Crisis Facts: What Are Our Options?

Taxes & Economy

The Economic Impact of Gov. Corbett’s Proposed Tax Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 22, 2013

This policy brief utilizes PA-STAMP to estimate the impact of Gov. Corbett’s proposed tax reform package.  Accordingly, by 2017-18, these reforms (compared with current policy) would result in: 1,259 additional…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Economic Impact of Gov. Corbett’s Proposed Tax Reform

Taxes & Economy

Demanding More Dollars From Drillers

  • Gordon Tomb
  • May 20, 2013

Pennsylvania’s new drilling impact fee has not deterred special interests from demanding more money from the state’s most prolific producers of new energy. Act 13 of 2012 imposed…

Media

Read More: Demanding More Dollars From Drillers

Regulation

Facts Contradict Claims of Liquor Monopoly Supporters

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 16, 2013

I’ve received some email responses critical of my recent commentary on liquor privatization. These responses, unfortunately, echo many of faulty claims served up by supporters of the…

Media

Read More: Facts Contradict Claims of Liquor Monopoly Supporters