Regulation
Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic Economics
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Vice President Kamala Harris wants to make groceries cheaper. However, her vague proposal to ban “price gouging” will have the opposite effect. Economists,…
Read More: Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic EconomicsEvery 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
Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Operating Budget since 1970
Pennsylvania’s total state operating budget increased for 40 consecutive years before being reduced last year. The cumulative increase of 151 percent—adjusted for inflation—represents more than $12,000 per family of four…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Operating Budget since 1970Taxes & Economy
For Dimock, The Verdict Is In
In an update to the ongoing saga of federal overreach in Dimock, Pa., the Environmental Protection Agency has released results of drinking water testing at 11 area homes…
Media
Read More: For Dimock, The Verdict Is InEducation
Principled, Punchy Pols Are Popular Pols
I’ve written previously in this space about Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has garnered enormous popularity while governing courageously. Today, with a new Quinnipiac poll about Gov.
Media
Read More: Principled, Punchy Pols Are Popular PolsRegulation
Pennsylvania State and School Pension Costs
Pennsylvania taxpayers fund two statewide pension plans for government employees—the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) for state employees and the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) for school employees. PSERS…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State and School Pension CostsCriminal Justice Reform
Saving Rather than Spending in Corrections
Last week, PCN’s Call In Program featured a great discussion with PA Corrections Sec. John Wetzel. The Secretary is committed to both saving money and improving safety by making sure…
Media
Read More: Saving Rather than Spending in CorrectionsRegulation
House Passes Corporate Welfare Reform
This week the Pennsylvania House passed RACP (pronounced RCAP) reform by a wide margin of 184 to 9. RACP – the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program – is a political…
Media
Read More: House Passes Corporate Welfare ReformTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Fork in the Road on Transportation Spending
Motorists frustrated with high gas prices should be on the alert—your pain at the pump could get worse, and it has nothing to do with Middle East tensions or gas…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Fork in the Road on Transportation SpendingTaxes & Economy
Fighting Fiction with Fracking Facts
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking to Tea Party Patriots of Central Pa on environmental aspects of natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania and new Marcellus Shale regulations and…
Media
Read More: Fighting Fiction with Fracking FactsCriminal Justice Reform
Chart of the Day: Corrections Spending
Today’s chart highlights the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ skyrocketing spending since 1980. This unsustainable growth is part of the four-alarm fire that threatens Pennsylvania’s fiscal house. For more…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: Corrections SpendingEducation
Does Underfunding Pensions “Help the Kids”?
A letter I recently submitted to the Allentown Morning Call on state education subsidies and pension funding: The Morning Call’s article on state subsidies to school districts has…
Media
Read More: Does Underfunding Pensions “Help the Kids”?Criminal Justice Reform
Nurses’ Union Opposes Corrections Reform
At yesterday’s House Appropriations Committee, Department of Corrections Sec. John Wetzel explained his roadmap to reducing corrections spending, now the third-largest department in the General Fund Budget. What was…
Media
Read More: Nurses’ Union Opposes Corrections ReformTaxes & Economy
Who Wants to Pay More for Electricity?
A new study by the Manhattan Institute confirms that forcing states to purchase renewable energy hurts taxpayers. Pennsylvania is one of the 29 states (as well as the…
Media
Read More: Who Wants to Pay More for Electricity?Taxes & Economy
Utility Rates Drop Again Thanks to Marcellus Drilling
Natural gas drilling is continuing to provide significant savings for Pennsylvania families across the state through lower electricity and natural gas prices. Last week, PPL Electric Utilities, servicing eastern…
Media
Read More: Utility Rates Drop Again Thanks to Marcellus DrillingState Budget
Chart of the Day: Welfare Spending
Total welfare spending in Pennsylvania more than tripled from 1991 to 2012, rising 227 percent. During the same period (1991-2011) population rose by a paltry 6.7 percent. It goes without…
Media
Read More: Chart of the Day: Welfare SpendingState Budget
Big Government Limits Economic Growth
Last month, Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget address kicked off state budget negotiations. As lawmakers debate priorities, one thing is crystal clear—low government spending fosters economic growth. The Mercatus Center’s…
Media
Read More: Big Government Limits Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Businesses Face the Highest Taxes
A new study from the Tax Foundation finds that mature Pennsylvania businesses are the highest taxed in the nation. Newly established operations in the commonwealth are the second highest taxed,…
Media
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Sounding the Alarm to Save Pennsylvania
A four-alarm fire is engulfing Pennsylvania's economy. If we don't regain control of the state debt, corrections costs, public welfare growth and government employee pensions, our state taxpayers will be…
Commentary
Read More: Sounding the Alarm to Save PennsylvaniaState Budget
5 Scary Facts about Pennsylvania’s Welfare Spending
Welfare spending in Pennsylvania is out of control. The Department of Public Welfare is now the largest department in the state. It will continue to crowd out education, environmental…
Media
Read More: 5 Scary Facts about Pennsylvania’s Welfare SpendingEducation
Pennsylvania K-12 Education Spending
Pennsylvania's K-12 education revenue increased from $13 billion in 1995-96 to $26 billion in 2009-10. Adjusted for inflation, that represents a 44% increase in revenue per student. …
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania K-12 Education SpendingTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Once-Great Cities
If you missed it, ReasonTV put out a great video on the city of Harrisburg’s fiscal disaster, asking whether Harrisburg’s nightmare is America’s Future. Much of what…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Once-Great CitiesRegulation
Goodbye Gus, Hello Private Partnerships
Say goodbye to the second-most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania. Not having Gus in Pennsylvania lottery commercials will save $140,000. But changes in the state lottery may not end with dropping…
Media
Read More: Goodbye Gus, Hello Private Partnerships