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
Liberals and Conservatives Agree: Let Go of Our Liquor
As the partisan divide plays out in Washington, it's encouraging to see one policy battle in Pennsylvania with support on both sides of the political spectrum. Across the state, voters…
Commentary
Read More: Liberals and Conservatives Agree: Let Go of Our LiquorRegulation
Getting Rich off the Government Liquor Monopoly
Joe Conti, who once cosponsored legislation to privatize the state liquor store system, keeps finding a way to profit off of the state’s monopoly on wine and spirit sales.
Media
Read More: Getting Rich off the Government Liquor MonopolyRegulation
Guest Post: Opening Up Alcohol Market Competition is the Correct Liberal Position
Today, Jon Geeting of Keystone Politics joined CF‘s Matt Brouillette to unveil a new survey showing strong bipartisan support for liquor store privatization. The following are Jon’s comments from…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: Opening Up Alcohol Market Competition is the Correct Liberal PositionRegulation
Left, Right, Center — Pennsylvanians Want Full Liquor Privatization
Voters have spoken, and they still want liquor privatization. Despite a million-dollar misinformation campaign run by the union leaders of the government liquor stores, Pennsylvanians of all party affiliations…
Media
Read More: Left, Right, Center — Pennsylvanians Want Full Liquor PrivatizationRegulation
Left, Right, Center – Pennsylvanians Want Full Liquor Privatization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Commonwealth Foundation & Keystone Politics Contact: 717-671-1901 Left, Right, Center – Pennsylvanians Want Full Liquor Privatization Survey shows strong bipartisan support, including…
Press Release
Read More: Left, Right, Center – Pennsylvanians Want Full Liquor PrivatizationRegulation
Lawmakers Must Act on Pension Crisis
Today, Rep. Glen Grell unveiled a state pension reform proposal. We applaud Rep. Grell’s efforts to address the impending pension crisis. Absent reform, pension contributions will continue to soar,…
Media
Read More: Lawmakers Must Act on Pension CrisisRegulation
It’s Hard to End Underage Drinking While Promoting Alcohol Consumption
Picture yourself at age 16. Now picture your parents giving you a stern talking-to about the dangers of alcohol abuse. “Drinking before you’re 21 is wrong. It’s dangerous and illegal,”…
Media
Read More: It’s Hard to End Underage Drinking While Promoting Alcohol ConsumptionRegulation
Canada Dry? Nope, Alberta is Benefiting from Liquor Privatization
As lawmakers return to Harrisburg for the fall legislative session, liquor privatization will once again be a topic for debate. Fortunately for the people of Alberta, Canada, debate over whether…
Media
Read More: Canada Dry? Nope, Alberta is Benefiting from Liquor PrivatizationEducation
How Unions Use Students as Bargaining Chips
When government unions engage in labor disputes, they use their power and monopoly to remind the public of the value of their service. However, schoolchildren should never have to bear…
Commentary
Read More: How Unions Use Students as Bargaining ChipsRegulation
Privatization Opponent Admits State Stores Don’t Dissuade Drunk Drivers
Liquor privatization will kill your father before you go to college or get married. At least that’s what the UFCW and the PA DUI Association wanted you to believe…
Media
Read More: Privatization Opponent Admits State Stores Don’t Dissuade Drunk DriversPublic Union Democracy
Is Paying Only $2.50 for Health Care Unreasonable?
If you’ve been watching back-to-school news, you’ve probably heard that teachers unions in three Pennsylvania school districts—Shaler Area, Wyoming Area and Old Forge—have gone on strike. Like…
Media
Read More: Is Paying Only $2.50 for Health Care Unreasonable?Regulation
Say it ain’t so! Joe Makes Bank from the PLCB
Remember PLCB CEO Joe Conti? Boondoggles like wine kiosks and inventory shortages should spring to mind. After six years of these and other questionable decisions that remain under…
Media
Read More: Say it ain’t so! Joe Makes Bank from the PLCBRegulation
After Detroit, how about 401(k)s for public workers?
As another Labor Day comes to pass, it's worth reflecting on the legacy of Detroit and its workers. Detroit's bankruptcy is a warning to other cities—and even states—that public…
Commentary
Read More: After Detroit, how about 401(k)s for public workers?Regulation
The Perplexing Problem with Pensions
Traditional pensions are plagued by their dependence on guesswork—estimates on economic growth, employee behavior, and investment return—writes Grove City economist Mark Hendrickson in a recent piece. The errors in…
Media
Read More: The Perplexing Problem with PensionsRegulation
Video: Wine Expert on Privatization
How does it feel to earn a failing grade? Every Pennsylvanian should know—we recently received an “F” in wine consumer friendliness in a report by the American Wine…
Media
Read More: Video: Wine Expert on PrivatizationRegulation
No Award for PLCB “Effort”
My siblings and I grew up in very difficult circumstances. And by that I mean we grew up without video games. A well-intentioned family friend offered to buy us a…
Media
Read More: No Award for PLCB “Effort”Public Union Democracy
One Marshamallow Now or Taxpayer Relief Later?
What do preschoolers with marshmallows and Pennsylvania’s pension crisis have in common? Both demonstrate a failure to delay gratification. Dr. Joseph Horton at Grove City College compares Pennsylvania’s pension…
Media
Read More: One Marshamallow Now or Taxpayer Relief Later?Government Accountability
Playing Politics at the PLCB
Politics is getting in the way of reform at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, according to Tribune-Review reporter Kari Andren, who gives us a fascinating look at the internal…
Media
Read More: Playing Politics at the PLCBRegulation
Repeating Detroit’s Error in Pennsylvania
Much has been said about why Detroit lies in critical condition, but one serious wound has been festering for decades: the unsustainable pension and health benefits that were secured for…
Commentary
Read More: Repeating Detroit’s Error in PennsylvaniaRegulation
PLCB’s “Record Revenue” No Reason to Celebrate
For Release: August 5, 2013 PLCB’s “Record Revenue” No Reason to Celebrate New numbers tell only half the story Harrisburg, PA—Today, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control…
Press Release
Read More: PLCB’s “Record Revenue” No Reason to CelebrateRegulation
BREAKING: State Monopoly Brings in Record Revenue
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reported record revenue and “profits,” leading some to claim that privatization just isn’t necessary. Not so fast. First, it should be no surprise that…
Media
Read More: BREAKING: State Monopoly Brings in Record Revenue