Pennsylvania’s notoriously high level of regulation is a burden on our state economy. To make the Keystone State a competitive place to live, work, or grow a business, reforms are needed to rein in the regulatory process. Taxpayers deserve a streamlined regulatory process that scrutinizes proposed regulations to ensure frivolous reforms do not overburden the state economy and do not prevent job-seekers from accessing employment.

Regulation

Government Strikes Out, Yet Keeps Playing

  • Colleen Hroncich
  • May 19, 2017

For state government, it isn’t ‘three strikes and you’re out.’ Or even four strikes. In fact, state officials get to play by their own rules when it comes to economic…

Media

Read More: Government Strikes Out, Yet Keeps Playing

Education

For Most Teachers, Status Quo Pension a Lousy Deal

  • James Paul
  • May 16, 2017

Illuminating new research confirms what CF has been saying for years: Pennsylvania’s pension system is a bad deal for teachers. In EducationNext, authors Chad Aldeman and Kelly Robson…

Media

Read More: For Most Teachers, Status Quo Pension a Lousy Deal

Regulation

Liquor “Modernization” a Financial Flop

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 12, 2017

Last year, the legislature enacted a law allowing restaurants and a small number of grocery stores to sell wine and “modernizing” the government liquor stores to “run more like…

Media

Read More: Liquor “Modernization” a Financial Flop

Regulation

A Visitor?s Guide to Buying Booze in PA

  • May 10, 2017

Planning a dinner? Picking up a hostess gift? Here’s our handy shopping guide to keep things E.A.S.Y.*  *Every Annoying Stop You have to make to get what you need.

Media

Read More: A Visitor?s Guide to Buying Booze in PA

Regulation

Should Pennsylvania Subsidize Horse Racing?

  • May 2, 2017

Last month the House passed a General Fund budget that included more than $56 million in corporate welfare reductions. At the time, we indicated even more reductions were possible given…

Media

Read More: Should Pennsylvania Subsidize Horse Racing?

Education

Ten Reasons for Optimism

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 28, 2017

This week state lawmakers advanced a plethora of good policy, from legislation to finally end the government liquor monopoly to a bill that would improve health care in rural areas.

Media

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Regulation

The Keystone State of Corporate Welfare

  • April 27, 2017

Pennsylvania’s corporate welfare culture is pervasive. The state has the dubious distinction of leading the nation in subsidy payments since 2007—without getting much in return. This large transfer of wealth…

Media

Read More: The Keystone State of Corporate Welfare

Regulation

News Release: House Passes Significant Liquor Reform Bills

  • April 26, 2017

Yesterday, the House passed significant liquor reforms designed to end state government’s senseless stranglehold on the wine and liquor industry. Sponsored by House Speaker Mike Turzai, HB 975 builds…

Press Release

Read More: News Release: House Passes Significant Liquor Reform Bills

Regulation

Following Zippo’s Lead on Pensions

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 21, 2017

Zippo’s recent retirement plan transition is another example of why Pennsylvania state government should do the same. As Zippo CFO Don Hall said, defined contribution plans like 401(k)s carry…

Media

Read More: Following Zippo’s Lead on Pensions

Regulation

The Strong Case for?and Weak Case Against?Pension Reform

  • April 18, 2017

Pennsylvania’s public pension plans are woefully underfunded, with enough assets to cover just 60 percent of liabilities. This poor financial showing has relegated the commonwealth to the bottom of the Tax Foundation’s ranking of…

Media

Read More: The Strong Case for?and Weak Case Against?Pension Reform

Health Care

Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower Costs

  • James Paul
  • April 18, 2017

All Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality, affordable health care. That's why it was encouraging to see the Senate advance SB 25 out of the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee.

Media

Read More: Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower Costs

Regulation

Op-Ed: End Perks for the Politically Connected

  • April 11, 2017

We deserve better than a system that favors the politically connected. An environment where people can advance based on merit, not lobbying prowess, will put cities like Scranton back on…

Commentary

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Regulation

A Guide to Corporate Welfare in Pennsylvania

  • April 6, 2017

Pennsylvania's culture of corporate welfare is pervasive. The current system rewards businesses for their lobbying prowess rather than their ability to effectively serve consumers' needs.

Commentary

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Regulation

House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal Stewardship

  • April 4, 2017

House Republicans committed to changing Pennsylvania yesterday. The caucus released its proposed 2017-18 budget, which stands in stark contrast to Gov. Wolf’s tax-and-spend proposals. The House Appropriations Committee has…

Media

Read More: House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal Stewardship

Regulation

Senate Prepares New Pension Reform Bill

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 16, 2017

The state Senate is preparing to introduce a pension reform bill nearly identical to the compromise bill that fell three House votes short last fall.  Senator Pat Browne and Majority…

Media

Read More: Senate Prepares New Pension Reform Bill

Education

The Cost of Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 8, 2017

In recent Appropriation Committee hearings, Pennsylvania’s two statewide pension funds (PSERS and SERS) reported $62.2 billion in unfunded liabilities (or debt) that taxpayers must pay. This number—which assumes…

Media

Read More: The Cost of Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis

Regulation

Protect Students, Not Subsidies

  • March 7, 2017

Gov. Wolf’s request to reduce tax credits by $100 million is causing a stir in the legislature. According to a Capitolwire story (paywall), Republicans raised objections on several fronts,…

Media

Read More: Protect Students, Not Subsidies

Regulation

Policy Memo: The Downside of Raising the Minimum Wage

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 6, 2017

In February, Gov. Wolf proposed raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $12, claiming a higher minimum wage will raise revenue, reduce welfare participation and spur job growth. These claims are…

Memo

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Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2017

  • March 2, 2017

February proved to be another poor month for revenue collections. For the fourth straight month—and now seven of the last eight—collections fell short of official estimates from the the Pennsylvania Department of…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2017

Health Care

Double-Down on Reinventing Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 23, 2017

Imagine if Stephen King had written Green Eggs and Ham. What if Dr. Seuss had penned The Shining? Gov. Wolf’s third budget address was an equally disorienting shift in tone…

Media

Read More: Double-Down on Reinventing Government