Prosperity
Shapiro’s “Fast-Track” program is great for his allies, but bad for Pennsylvania
Originally published at The Patriot-News Is Josh Shapiro the future of the Democratic Party? He certainly wants to be, but he just failed an early test. This…
Read More: Shapiro’s “Fast-Track” program is great for his allies, but bad for PennsylvaniaPennsylvania’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
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2017
For the first time in seven months, the commonwealth’s revenue collections exceeded expectations. Pennsylvania collected $2.6 billion in May—$98.5 million more than anticipated. Still, total collections remain approximately…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2017Regulation
SB 1 is Major First Step on Pension Reform
Yesterday, Elizabeth wrote about the reasons we need pension reform now. As the full Senate prepares to vote on SB 1, I wanted to provide some clarity on this…
Media
Read More: SB 1 is Major First Step on Pension ReformRegulation
5 Reasons to Enact Pension Reform Now
Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformative pension reform. Under SB 1, new school teachers and state employees, including new lawmakers and judges, would automatically be enrolled in a…
Media
Read More: 5 Reasons to Enact Pension Reform NowRegulation
Policy Memo: Pension Reform in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s $71 billion unfunded pension liability is unsustainable for taxpayers and puts public employees at risk. Without timely reform, pension payments will crowd out funding for other services, property taxes…
Memo
Read More: Policy Memo: Pension Reform in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Sports Teams Thrive at Taxpayer Expense
While sports teams across the county reap the benefits of lavish government subsidies to build stadiums, taxpayers bear the brunt of the cost, according to a working study by…
Media
Read More: Sports Teams Thrive at Taxpayer ExpenseRegulation
Op-Ed: Zippo Lights the Way on Pension Reform
When you think of lighters, you probably think of Zippo. Recently, the company announced a move that shines light of a different kind: Zippo is transitioning from pension plans for its…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: Zippo Lights the Way on Pension ReformRegulation
News Release: State Senate Committee Advances Critical Pension Overhaul
Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee approved SB 1, a critical overhaul of Pennsylvania’s troubled public pension system. The bill offers new public workers a side-by-side hybrid pension option that…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: State Senate Committee Advances Critical Pension OverhaulRegulation
Senate Introduces Substantive Pension Reform
Now, more than ever, transformative reform in needed to address Pennsylvania’s undeniable pension crisis. Last week, the state Senate began this process by introducing pension reform bill SB…
Media
Read More: Senate Introduces Substantive Pension ReformRegulation
Government Strikes Out, Yet Keeps Playing
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 PlayingEducation
For Most Teachers, Status Quo Pension a Lousy Deal
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 DealRegulation
Liquor “Modernization” a Financial Flop
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 FlopRegulation
A Visitor?s Guide to Buying Booze in PA
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 PARegulation
Should Pennsylvania Subsidize Horse Racing?
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
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
Read More: Ten Reasons for OptimismRegulation
The Keystone State of Corporate Welfare
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 WelfareRegulation
News Release: House Passes Significant Liquor Reform Bills
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 BillsRegulation
Following Zippo’s Lead on Pensions
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 PensionsRegulation
News Release: House Committee Advances Major Liquor Reforms
Bills Would Break Government Stranglehold Over Wine & Liquor Sales Today, the House Liquor Committee advanced two bills to the floor that represent a…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: House Committee Advances Major Liquor ReformsRegulation
The Strong Case for?and Weak Case Against?Pension Reform
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 ReformHealth Care
Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower Costs
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 CostsRegulation
Op-Ed: End Perks for the Politically Connected
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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