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
Audio: A Look at Gov. Wolf’s “Concessions”
As state budget negotiations drag on, Gov. Wolf is pointing the finger at Republicans, claiming they have refused to move after he made “concessions on everything.” So what compromises are included in…
Media
Read More: Audio: A Look at Gov. Wolf’s “Concessions”Regulation
Borrowing ‘Dumb’ Ideas on Pension Reform
Would you take out a second mortgage on your home to bet on the stock market? Such an idea deserves ridicule—if not alarm. You’d be putting your home and your…
Commentary
Read More: Borrowing ‘Dumb’ Ideas on Pension ReformRegulation
Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Gambling Problem
There are numerous ways Gov. Wolf can balance the budget without raising taxes: reforming the pension system, cutting corporate welfare and selling the liquor business. Instead, he…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Gambling ProblemRegulation
Exposing Union Myths and Hypocrisy on Pension Reform
Pennsylvania government unions rely on disproven myths to lobby against pension reform. Their actions, however, demonstrate they don't believe their own snake oil, and offer their employees' the same retirement plans…
Media
Read More: Exposing Union Myths and Hypocrisy on Pension ReformRegulation
Pension Hypocrisy: Union Leaders Offer 401(k)s to Own Employees
Pension Hypocrisy: Union Leaders Offer 401(k)s to Own Employees For Biggest Opponents of Reform it’s ‘Do as I Say, Not as I Do’ August 20, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—For…
Press Release
Read More: Pension Hypocrisy: Union Leaders Offer 401(k)s to Own EmployeesRegulation
Pension Reform to Protect my Kids
Legislative leaders have rightly rejected a so-called pension reform “compromise,” a plan that fails to address the problems in our pension system and continues to put our kids and grandkids on…
Media
Read More: Pension Reform to Protect my KidsRegulation
Wolf’s ‘Compromise’ Rings Hollow
Wolf’s ‘Compromise’ Rings Hollow Who’s Really Being ‘Disingenuous’ During Budget Talks? As budget negotiations continue, Gov. Wolf recently called Republicans “disingenuous” for criticizing his pension “compromise.” But…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s ‘Compromise’ Rings HollowRegulation
Gov. Wolf’s So-Called Compromise
Gov. Wolf proposed a new “compromise” on pensions and the budget last week, according to news reports. Here is what that compromise includes: A defined contribution plan for new…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf’s So-Called CompromiseRegulation
Pension Reform to Protect my Kids
I chose teaching because I enjoy interacting with students and helping them learn. My science classes show students that certain actions yield predictable results. With this in mind, I am…
Media
Read More: Pension Reform to Protect my KidsRegulation
Entrepreneurs Speak Out Against the PLCB
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) partisans are quick to defend the agency as an asset for the state, but the PLCB’s finances—and the entrepreneurs who deal with the booze bureaucracy—tell a different story. On the financial front, the board reported $117 million in net…
Media
Read More: Entrepreneurs Speak Out Against the PLCBRegulation
Could Coal’s Savior be PA’s Legislature?
180 workers in CONSOL Energy’s coal division recently lost their jobs. Now, Pennsylvania’s legislature may be the only thing standing between the Obama administration and complete destruction of the…
Media
Read More: Could Coal’s Savior be PA’s Legislature?Regulation
Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Warns Wolf on Pension Bonds
This week, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto criticized Gov. Wolf’s plan to sell $3 billion in pension obligation bonds. In a meeting with editors and reporters from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Warns Wolf on Pension BondsRegulation
A Double Shot of Liquid Courage
It shouldn’t take a double shot of liquid courage to finally end Prohibition in Pennsylvania. With pension deficits, revenue shortfalls, PLCB ethics violations, and consistent popular support, this should be…
Commentary
Read More: A Double Shot of Liquid CourageRegulation
Wolf Repeating Same Mistakes of the Past
Earlier this week, we pointed out how Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of liquor privatization—using talking points from union leaders to justify his action—didn’t make much sense. Wolf’s reasoning…
Media
Read More: Wolf Repeating Same Mistakes of the PastRegulation
Pension Reform Veto Costs Pennsylvanians Dearly
Pension Reform Veto Costs Pennsylvanians Dearly Public Employees & Middle Class Bear Consequences of Pension Inaction Good afternoon, Today, Governor Tom Wolf confirmed that he will veto historic pension…
Press Release
Read More: Pension Reform Veto Costs Pennsylvanians DearlyRegulation
Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Vetoes Keep the Status Quo Alive
Gov. Wolf promised to be a governor who would eliminate Pennsylvania’s destructive status quo. So how did he respond when state legislators put a budget without tax increases, a bill…
Media
Read More: Audio: Gov. Wolf’s Vetoes Keep the Status Quo AliveRegulation
Wolf’s ‘My Way or the Highway’ Approach Blocks Progress
In his 2015 budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf urged dissenters, “If you don’t agree with my ideas, here is my request: please come with your own ideas. It's not good…
Commentary
Read More: Wolf’s ‘My Way or the Highway’ Approach Blocks ProgressRegulation
Ink Running Dry on Wolf?s Veto Pen
Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto pen may be running out of ink. In the span of one week, Pennsylvania’s “different kind of governor” vetoed a no-tax-hike budget, liquor privatization,…
Media
Read More: Ink Running Dry on Wolf?s Veto PenRegulation
Gov. Wolf Does Understand Economics
Last Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed legislation passed by the general assembly that would allow private retailers to sell wine and liquor. As my colleague Bob pointed out,…
Media
Read More: Gov. Wolf Does Understand EconomicsRegulation
Wolf Vetoes Liquor Independence
Wolf Vetoes Liquor Independence Refuses to Separate Booze and State Governor Wolf today vetoed legislation to finally end Pennsylvania’s Prohibition-era, government-run monopoly of wine and spirits. “Governor Wolf…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Vetoes Liquor IndependenceRegulation
Growing Bipartisan Support for Municipal Pension Reform
On Tuesday, a task force spearheaded by Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released its recommendation for municipal pension reform. The report recommends, among other things, more transparency and accountability in municipal…
Media
Read More: Growing Bipartisan Support for Municipal Pension Reform