Pennsylvania’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

Senate Liquor Proposal Passes Committee

  • June 24, 2013

This afternoon, Sen. Charles McIlhinney’s liquor sales reform proposal passed out of committee by a vote of 6-5.  Changes are expected to be made to the bill – changes we…

Media

Read More: Senate Liquor Proposal Passes Committee

Regulation

PLCB Ultimatum: Our Way or the Highway

  • June 24, 2013

With the PLCB, control is the name of the game—in more ways than one. Not content with having both hands—retail and wholesale—in wine and liquor sales in the state, now,…

Media

Read More: PLCB Ultimatum: Our Way or the Highway

Health Care

Budget Could Transform Pa., For Good or Ill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 21, 2013

About one week remains for lawmakers to finalize a state budget. But along with a spending plan, a number of major policy reforms remain in the mix. The outcomes of…

Media

Read More: Budget Could Transform Pa., For Good or Ill

Public Union Democracy

Nation Laughs at Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2013

The state government liquor store union is once again running ads showing a young girl at a funeral mourning a parent killed by a drunk driver, then claiming this will…

Media

Read More: Nation Laughs at Pennsylvania

Regulation

Pension Reform Bill on the Move

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 19, 2013

We applaud the Senate Finance Committee for moving meaningful pension reform legislation. The Committee advanced SB 922 to put all new state and school district employees into a defined…

Media

Read More: Pension Reform Bill on the Move

Regulation

Senate Liquor Proposal Falls Short

  • June 19, 2013

Senate Liquor Proposal Falls Short Harrisburg, PA – Matthew J. Brouillette, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, issued a response to Sen. McIlhinney’s liquor reform proposal: Pennsylvanians are demanding…

Press Release

Read More: Senate Liquor Proposal Falls Short

Regulation

Podcast: Fixing Public Pensions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 19, 2013

Two new BOX Program podcasts offer illuminating insight into our public pension crisis and how lawmakers can help fix the broken system. First, Matt talks with former Utah State…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Fixing Public Pensions

Regulation

Senate Liquor “Reform” Falls Short

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 18, 2013

This afternoon, Sen. Chuck McIlhinney introduced his liquor “reform” plan which falls short in delivering the convenience, selection, and pricing that Pennsylvanians demand. His proposal, which keeps the state-owned and…

Media

Read More: Senate Liquor “Reform” Falls Short

Regulation

Get Rid of the Government Middleman

  • June 18, 2013

If lower prices and greater selection are what you’re looking for, you won’t get it unless the government privatizes retail and wholesale operations. If the PLCB maintains its monopoly on…

Commentary

Read More: Get Rid of the Government Middleman

Regulation

Red Carpets Trip Up Real Tax Reform

  • June 18, 2013

When Rocky Balboa triumphantly climbed the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum in the 1976 blockbuster film Rocky, he did it without a special government handout.  But now Hollywood lobbyists…

Media

Read More: Red Carpets Trip Up Real Tax Reform

Regulation

We’re Not There Yet!

  • June 14, 2013

We’ve all fought long and hard for Pennsylvania to finally enter the 21st century and end government control of alcohol sales. We’ve never been closer, but we’re not there yet.

Media

Read More: We’re Not There Yet!

Education

Pension Cost Conundrum: Cut Teachers or Raise Taxes?

  • June 14, 2013

A recent report released by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute estimates Philadelphia School District (SDP) pension payments will total $349 million by 2020, which is a 378 percent increase…

Media

Read More: Pension Cost Conundrum: Cut Teachers or Raise Taxes?

Regulation

Poll: Privatization must include wholesale

  • June 13, 2013

Eliminate the Government Middleman: Poll Shows Privatizing Retail Alcohol Sales without Wholesale Privatization Insufficient Harrisburg, PA  – A new poll conducted on June 11th by Red Maverick…

Press Release

Read More: Poll: Privatization must include wholesale

Regulation

Goverment Middleman Bad for Consumers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 12, 2013

The Scranton Times Tribune has an excellent editorial explaining that the state government monopoly over liquor wholesale is just a bad as its monopoly over wine and spirits retail…

Media

Read More: Goverment Middleman Bad for Consumers

Regulation

Podcast: Why Does Wholesale Privatization Matter?

  • June 10, 2013

For most of us, liquor privatization means making liquor more convenient and affordable by getting rid of Prohibition era, state-run stores and unleashing the power of the private sector. But…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Why Does Wholesale Privatization Matter?

Regulation

Shocking Sheetz Statement Shames Senator

  • June 7, 2013

Fellow Pennsylvanians, we’ve all been there: road-weary on a long drive home, hungry and low on gas, and there it is…a big, red beacon of hope and MTOs…you have made…

Media

Read More: Shocking Sheetz Statement Shames Senator

Regulation

Government Wholesale Monopoly Bad for Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2013

Testimony to the Senate Law and Justice Committee yesterday illustrated why wholesale privatization must be a part of “modernizing” liquor sales in Pennsylvania. The PLCB’s wholesale monopoly can’t serve current,…

Media

Read More: Government Wholesale Monopoly Bad for Pennsylvania

Regulation

New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

  • June 5, 2013

The final Senate hearing on liquor privatization has concluded, where do things stand for Pennsylvania taxpayers and consumers? Carl Marrara, director of government affairs for Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association and…

Media

Read More: New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

Regulation

Time is Ticking

  • June 4, 2013

This morning marks the final hearing in the Senate on the House-approved proposal to privatize Pennsylvania’s Prohibition-era liquor system.  Time is ticking for the Senate to finally end the government…

Media

Read More: Time is Ticking

Regulation

CF: Wholesale Privatization Key to Greater Selection, Lower Prices

  • June 3, 2013

Contact: John Bouder (717) 671-1901 | JBouder@commonwealthfoundation.org As the Senate Law and Justice Committee concludes hearings on privatization of liquor sales, the Commonwealth Foundation has released the following fact…

Press Release

Read More: CF: Wholesale Privatization Key to Greater Selection, Lower Prices

Regulation

Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year Later

  • May 31, 2013

On June 1, it will be one year since Washington state ended its government monopoly on liquor sales. To mark the occasion, the Seattle Times has provided a nice…

Media

Read More: Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year Later