Regulation
Cutting Red Tape in Pennsylvania
This report presents findings from Mercatus Center’s State RegData database, analyzing regulations in the Pennsylvania Code as of 2022. The report provides an overview of state regulations, how Pennsylvania’s regulatory…
Read More: Cutting Red Tape in 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
A PLCB Special: Red Ink
Supporters of the state liquor monopoly defend the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) as a cash spigot for the state, which is one of the reasons they refuse to support privatization.
Media
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A Revolving Door of Corruption
The revolving door of politics—when top government officials change careers and become consultants for the industry they once regulated—is alive and well in Pennsylvania. Except in the case of the…
Media
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Tackling our Structural Deficit Without Tax Hikes
“I’m not taking anything off the table” said Gov. Wolf shortly after his tax plan was resoundingly defeated in the House last week. The governor’s refusal to abandon…
Media
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Pennsylvania’s Public Pension Crisis Grows
When you assume an investment return rate of 7.5 percent and your actual returns are 3.04 percent you have a problem. If you are the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System you…
Media
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The Mirage of Green Jobs
Promoters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon-emission regulation attempt to playdown the jobs it would kill with promises of “green jobs”. Yet these positions pay less and are largely…
Media
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Analysis of Governor Wolf’s Budget Compromise
On September 16, 28 days after receiving a budget compromise proposal from legislative Republicans, Gov. Wolf rejected that offer and issued his own plan—to hire a private contractor to manage the government…
Fact Sheet
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Government that Works?
Last week, Governor Wolf revved up his Jeep and resumed his “Government that Works” tour in Lancaster. In an ironic twist, Wolf also promised to veto a temporary funding bill…
Commentary
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Losers and Phony-Baloneys
Last week, Gov. Wolf unveiled new, bad policy ideas—to slightly adjust a misguided pension proposal, and to propose a private manager to a government run liquor monopoly. But just as…
Media
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New Wolf Offer, Same Bad Policy
Yesterday, 28 days after receiving a budget compromise proposal from legislative Republicans, Gov. Wolf rejected that offer and issued his own plan—hiring a private contractor to manage the government liquor…
Media
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Gov. Wolf Offers Status Quo Packaged as ‘Reform’
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com Gov. Wolf Offers Status Quo Packaged as ‘Reform’ Liquor and Pension Proposals Fall Short of Much-Needed Change Good morning, Yesterday, Governor Tom…
Press Release
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Audio: Getting Government Out of the Booze Business
A majority of Pennsylvanians support a privatized liquor industry, but government unions use their financial clout to ensure the state government maintains a monopoly over wine and spirits. WILK’s…
Media
Read More: Audio: Getting Government Out of the Booze BusinessRegulation
Young Teachers Pay the Price for Pension Politics
The first month of a new school year is an exciting—but stressful—time for school teachers. This is particularly true for young, newly-hired teachers who must quickly acclimate to their students,…
Media
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The PLCB: Fermented Grape’s Gatekeeper
Last week 90.5 WESA published a story about the PA Preferred Wine Program—a tool designed to help promote Pennsylvania wines. The program allows in-state wine producers to apply for…
Media
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Setting the Record Straight on Pensions
Government union leaders argue against meaningful pension reform with radical rallying cries like, “Your pension is under attack!” and mounds of other misinformation. Here's a quick fact check on some…
Media
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Audio: Budget Impasse Debate
With the state budget impasse in its third month, funding for critical things such as education and social services remains in question. CF’s Elizabeth Stelle spoke with WHYY’s Marty Moss-Coane and opposite…
Media
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Corporate Welfare’s Hazards
State officials often hail the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP or R-Cap) as a tool for “economic development” projects across the commonwealth. The program uses borrowed money—with interest payments financed by taxpayers—to…
Media
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Unions Must Answer for Pension Hypocrisy
Would you believe the most vocal opponents to public pension reform—Pennsylvania’s largest government unions—have actually implemented the very kind of reform they are fighting against?…
Commentary
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Audio: Weathering the Budget Impasse
Another day passes without a state budget in Pennsylvania, causing panic among public officials who can't pay the bills and among parents who have children attending schools unable to make payroll. Still, Gov.
Media
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Corruption is Spelled P-L-C-B
When it comes to government corruption investigations, Attorney General Kathleen Kane has dominated the conversation this summer. But now, as if seemingly miffed at the spotlight being taken away from…
Media
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PLCB Once Again Drunk on Scandal
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, gld@comfdnprod.wpengine.com PLCB Once Again Drunk on Scandal Ethics Charges Latest in String of Corruption Good evening, Today, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB)…
Press Release
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Ridesharing Freedom En Route to Pennsylvania
Uber and Lyft provide inexpensive rides to customers across the country despite numerous regulatory hurdles—chief among them the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which has previously thwarted the businesses from…
Media
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