Prosperity
Time for Shapiro to Ditch Corporate Welfare and Cut Red Tape
Originally published at The Philadelphia Citizen For two years, Gov. Josh Shapiro has talked about the need for government to “move at the speed of business.” Though…
Read More: Time for Shapiro to Ditch Corporate Welfare and Cut Red TapePennsylvania’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
Protect Students, Not Subsidies
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 SubsidiesRegulation
Policy Memo: The Downside of Raising the Minimum Wage
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
Read More: Policy Memo: The Downside of Raising the Minimum WageRegulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 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 2017Health Care
Double-Down on Reinventing Government
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 GovernmentRegulation
Employee Compensation Drives Spending Growth
PennLive released a list of state government employees earning more than $100,000 in salary today. While the list should open some eyes, it doesn’t capture the full cost of…
Media
Read More: Employee Compensation Drives Spending GrowthRegulation
Examining the Staggering Cost of Pensions
CF senior policy analyst James Paul recently spoke with WURD Radio’s Stephanie Renee on Pennsylvania’s skyrocketing pension costs—and what can be done about them. Pennsylvania’s unfunded pension liability stands at…
Media
Read More: Examining the Staggering Cost of PensionsRegulation
Film Tax Credit Draws Bad Reviews
Be it Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, Denzel Washington in Fences, or Gerard Butler in Law Abiding Citizen—everyone loves to see their favorite movie stars come to the neighborhood. This, combined…
Media
Read More: Film Tax Credit Draws Bad ReviewsRegulation
Budget Solution of the Week: Reduce Special Interest Spending
In our budget solutions blog series, we’ve covered the benefits of a government efficiency review, the need to modernize the commonwealth’s corrections system, and the importance of…
Media
Read More: Budget Solution of the Week: Reduce Special Interest SpendingRegulation
State Budget Solution #2: Liquor Privatization
Getting Government Out of the Booze Business Could Bring $1 Billion+ Windfall January 19, 2017, Harrisburg, Pa.—This week marks the 98th anniversary of the ratification of the…
Press Release
Read More: State Budget Solution #2: Liquor PrivatizationPublic Union Democracy
The Inquirer’s Problematic Budget Prescriptions
A Philadelphia Inquirer editorial urges optimism about the forthcoming state budget debate. It’s certainly well-warranted. Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders have repeatedly expressed interest in redesigning state government to…
Media
Read More: The Inquirer’s Problematic Budget PrescriptionsRegulation
Phila. Cigarette Tax to be Levied on Non-Philadelphia, Non-Smokers
Since Philadelphia residents aren’t buying enough cigarettes, taxpayers across the state will chip in millions to fund Philadelphia schools. Huh? Julie Shaw of Philly.com attempts to make sense of…
Media
Read More: Phila. Cigarette Tax to be Levied on Non-Philadelphia, Non-SmokersRegulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2017
Pennsylvania fell further into a financial hole during the month of December. According to the Department of Revenue, total General Fund collections came in $105.2 million below the state's official estimate. This marks…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2017Education
A Christmas Wish List for Pennsylvania
“No more lives torn apart, and wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts.” You might recognize those words from the ubiquitous-around-the-holidays song, “Grown-Up Christmas List.” Grown up? Sure.
Commentary
Read More: A Christmas Wish List for PennsylvaniaCriminal Justice Reform
Embracing Innovation in State Government
Conventional governing is hampering Pennsylvania’s progress. Growing state budgets combined with one-time revenue transfers and targeted tax hikes are delaying the structural reforms essential to improving the quality…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Embracing Innovation in State GovernmentRegulation
A Turning Point in Pennsylvania?s Budget Debate?
Pennsylvania must confront a $604 million deficit, according to Budget Secretary Randy Albright. This sober assessment was offered during the mid-year budget briefing earlier today. The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO)…
Media
Read More: A Turning Point in Pennsylvania?s Budget Debate?Public Union Democracy
Watch for Sweeping Changes Outside the Beltway
The political landscape has experienced a seismic shift, and it isn't centered in Washington DC. This past weekend Kyle Peterson of the Wall Street Journal highlighted Pennsylvania and six other…
Media
Read More: Watch for Sweeping Changes Outside the BeltwayRegulation
The PLCB: A Winner in a Race with No Competitors
In 2013, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) released its first annual report, emphasizing record sales and “profits.” Neither of these is impressive when analyzed in context, but the…
Media
Read More: The PLCB: A Winner in a Race with No CompetitorsRegulation
Don’t Wait on Washington for Manufacturing Jobs
During his campaign stops in Pennsylvania, President-elect Donald Trump touted his intention to bring manufacturing jobs back to the state. That’s a worthy goal, but the truth…
Commentary
Read More: Don’t Wait on Washington for Manufacturing JobsRegulation
What Pennsylvania’s Budget Trends Mean for You
State government is growing at a startling rate. Since 1970, spending has risen by $4,010 per person—an inflation-adjusted increase of 189 percent. This is one of many findings in our…
Media
Read More: What Pennsylvania’s Budget Trends Mean for YouEducation
Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative Session
That's a wrap. The 2015-16 legislative session is officially in the history books. Despite a $650 million tax hike, Pennsylvanians have a lot to celebrate from the past two years.
Media
Read More: Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative SessionRegulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: December 2016
State revenue collections came in at $79.5 million below the official estimate for November, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Lackluster collections wiped away the little progress made during October when revenue collections…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: December 2016