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.
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Regulation
Simply Naked or Simply Stupid?
Contradictions, corruption and chaos have consistently characterized the conduct of the Kings of Cabernet. So it should be no surprise today they renewed a kids’ contest designed to bring…
Media
Read More: Simply Naked or Simply Stupid?Regulation
Should Taxpayers Subsidize Chocolate Making?
I testified yesterday before the House Finance Committee about how government-directed “economic development” hampers economic growth. A prime example of this happened Tuesday, where taxpayers forked over more…
Media
Read More: Should Taxpayers Subsidize Chocolate Making?Regulation
Growing Pennsylvania’s Economy
Testimony of Katrina M. Currie to Pennsylvania House Finance Committee, September 19, 2012 Good afternoon, my name is Katrina Currie; I am a policy analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s…
Testimony
Read More: Growing Pennsylvania’s EconomyHealth Care
How Much Will Obama’s Health Care Cost You?
How much will the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) cost you? Our new policy points look at the cost Pennsylvanians will shoulder under the sweeping health care reform law.
Media
Read More: How Much Will Obama’s Health Care Cost You?Public Union Democracy
Mailbag: Why Not Pay for Unused Sick Days?
Our post last week highlighting WGAL’s story on government workers receiving hefty payouts for unused sick days sparked a lively discussion. Here’s a question that popped up frequently: Do…
Media
Read More: Mailbag: Why Not Pay for Unused Sick Days?Taxes & Economy
Happy 225th Birthday, U.S. Constitution!
Today marks the 225th birthday of the U.S. Constitution, and while it may be getting up there in years, the principles it sets forth are no less relevant today than…
Media
Read More: Happy 225th Birthday, U.S. Constitution!Health Care
Pennsylvania Medicaid Spending and the Affordable Care Act
Current Medicaid spending trends are unsustainable. Medicaid spending (Medical Assistance and Long Term Care) consumes about 30 percent of Pennsylvania's total state operating budget. In the past decade, Medicaid spending…
Memo
Read More: Pennsylvania Medicaid Spending and the Affordable Care ActHealth Care
The Affordable Care Act: Pennsylvania’s Costs
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act—often dubbed "Obamacare"—will cost Americans $1.2 trillion from 2012 to 2022 according to the Congressional Budget Office. These projections do not account for the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Affordable Care Act: Pennsylvania’s CostsHealth Care
Medicaid Reform Saves Families
Laureny Sanchez is a widowed mother of four, including 14-year-old twin Alan, who suffers from a tumor on his pituitary gland, heart problems and other medical issues. Under regular Medicaid,…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Reform Saves FamiliesRegulation
Mailbag: What Bills Would Fireproof Economy?
One of our PolicyBlog readers asks: What bills would help address the Four Alarm Fire you keep speaking about? Here are a few bills we have been tracking: Taxpayer…
Media
Read More: Mailbag: What Bills Would Fireproof Economy?Taxes & Economy
3 Reasons Marcellus Gas Tax Misses Mark
A new report shows that Marcellus Shale drillers will dole out $206 million to satisfy the state’s tax (or “impact fee”) on natural gas production in 2011. The…
Media
Read More: 3 Reasons Marcellus Gas Tax Misses MarkPublic Union Democracy
Why Cities Fail
Harrisburg is broke. Literally. So are 26 other cities across the commonwealth that are stuck in the state's Act 47 program for financially strapped municipalities. Many enter in – like…
Commentary
Read More: Why Cities FailHealth Care
Reps to Guv: Reject Medicaid Expansion
In July, 45 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives sent a letter to Gov. Corbett calling for him to opt out of the Medicaid expansion and the insurance…
Media
Read More: Reps to Guv: Reject Medicaid ExpansionRegulation
PLCB Drinks Taxpayers Under Table
Thirsty for better selection and prices, lawmakers failed to quench citizens’ desire to end Pennsylvania’s Prohibition-era liquor system before leaving for summer break. Some politicians defended the government’s liquor monopoly…
Media
Read More: PLCB Drinks Taxpayers Under TableHealth Care
Medicaid Myth #3: Ryan Plan Kicks Folks Off Of Medicaid
This concludes our blog series on the myths of the Ryan Medicaid plan. Wednesday‘s blog showed why Ryan’s plan would preserve rather than gut Medicaid and yesterday‘s post…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Myth #3: Ryan Plan Kicks Folks Off Of MedicaidHealth Care
Medicaid Myth #2: Medicaid Expansion Helps Poor
Yesterday, we began a series on the many myths surrounding Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s plan to reform Medicaid. We started with the myth that Ryan would gut Medicaid,…
Media
Read More: Medicaid Myth #2: Medicaid Expansion Helps PoorRegulation
Principles for Public Pension Reform
Projected taxpayer contributions for PSERS and SERS will increase from $1.7 billion in 2011-12 to more than $6.2 billion in 2016-17—a 263% increase. Contributions will continue to rise at a…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Principles for Public Pension ReformHealth Care
Will Paul Ryan Raid Medicaid?
The 2012 campaign continues to center on candidates and their allies calling the other guys “extremists,” and few bear the title as often as Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. For…
Media
Read More: Will Paul Ryan Raid Medicaid?Health Care
Fact Check: Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity and Medicaid
Far from hurting the poor, Ryan's Medicaid plan will preserve their access to health care by making the government health care program affordable and sustainable. The plan has three main…
Memo
Read More: Fact Check: Paul Ryan’s Path to Prosperity and MedicaidRegulation
Counties Clamor to Qualify for Flexible Funding
Thirty counties have applied for slots in the Department of Public Welfare’s Human Services County Block Grant pilot program. Unfortunately, the pilot program was limited to 20 counties. The…
Media
Read More: Counties Clamor to Qualify for Flexible FundingState Budget
Four Alarms Reverberate in Corbett Memo
A recent memo from Gov. Corbett to all state agencies offers budget-saving tips, reminding officials that Pennsylvania faces a four alarm fiscal fire. PA Independent has…
Media
Read More: Four Alarms Reverberate in Corbett Memo