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

McIlhinney Renews Hope for Liquor Privatization!

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 24, 2013

On Tuesday, Senator Chuck McIlhinney appeared on The Dom Giordano Program on 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia to discuss liquor privatization—giving taxpayers and consumers renewed hope that Pennsylvania may finally…

Media

Read More: McIlhinney Renews Hope for Liquor Privatization!

Regulation

Talking Pensions with Rep. Gabler

  • April 17, 2013

In CF‘s latest Google+ Hangout, we talk with Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield and Elk) about the latest on Pennsylvania’s pension crisis, how it will affect taxpayers, and what we…

Media

Read More: Talking Pensions with Rep. Gabler

Regulation

Are You a Bootlegger?

  • April 17, 2013

If you’ve ever bought alcohol in other states and brought it back into Pennsylvania to drink, you’re a bootlegger. You’ve broken a state law….but you’re certainly not alone. As a…

Media

Read More: Are You a Bootlegger?

Regulation

Public Pension Crisis Averted?

  • April 16, 2013

Has Pennsylvania’s public pension crisis been averted? Not by a long shot. This weekend, the Tribune-Review heralded a $69 million budget surplus in the Pennsylvania School…

Media

Read More: Public Pension Crisis Averted?

Regulation

Mailbag: Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis

  • Priya Brannick
  • April 10, 2013

Several readers wrote in with questions on my Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed from Sunday, “Pension Crisis is Going to Hit Hard.” Here are answers to some of the most common…

Media

Read More: Mailbag: Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis

Regulation

Fact Check: Liquor Liberty in Washington

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 9, 2013

In 2011, voters in Washington State approved a ballot measure to privatize the state wholesale and retail liquor monopoly, allowing private retailers to sell liquor. Unlike Pennsylvania, wine was already…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: Liquor Liberty in Washington

Regulation

Millions Blown in Border Bleed

  • April 8, 2013

It’s time for another look at common myths opponents use against getting the government out of the booze businesses. Find more myths debunked here and here. Myth #5:…

Media

Read More: Millions Blown in Border Bleed

Regulation

Pennsylvania Stuck in Prohibition

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 6, 2013

Eighty years ago, baseball was still segregated, Social Security was non-existent and it was illegal to buy alcohol in the United States. Times have changed, and Prohibition has since ended…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania Stuck in Prohibition

Public Union Democracy

Union Poured Member Dues into Defeating Liquor Privatization

  • Priya Brannick
  • April 3, 2013

They’re a familiar sight in the state Capitol, wearing mustard-colored T-shirts emblazoned with their union’s logo. Now the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has reported on how United Food and Commercial Workers…

Media

Read More: Union Poured Member Dues into Defeating Liquor Privatization

Regulation

Liquor Privatization: Good for Business (Except in Jersey)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 2, 2013

Ending Pennsylvania’s government liquor monopoly has some folks worried…like liquor store owners in New Jersey. Writes Jason Laday of the South Jersey Times: At any given time, on…

Media

Read More: Liquor Privatization: Good for Business (Except in Jersey)

Regulation

Drawing Liquor Lessons from the Turnpike Commission

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 1, 2013

Following last week's House vote, the Pennsylvania Senate has the opportunity to end similar corruption and taxpayer costs by dismantling the PLCB—the Turnpike Commission's cousin in wasted money and broken…

Commentary

Read More: Drawing Liquor Lessons from the Turnpike Commission

Regulation

A Privatization Conversation

  • March 27, 2013

Today we held our second Google Hangout broadcast and discussed the latest on liquor store privatization, including: What happened last week in the House, how social media activism was used…

Media

Read More: A Privatization Conversation

Regulation

Summary of House Bill 790 as Passed by State House

  • March 26, 2013

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 790 on March 21, 2013.  This legislation would allow private retailers to sell wine and spirits and end the state government monopoly over…

Memo

Read More: Summary of House Bill 790 as Passed by State House

Regulation

Pennsylvania State Budget 2013

  • March 26, 2013

Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget 2013

Regulation

Liquor Privatization Benefits Beer Distributors

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2013

In the Bucks County Intelligencer, Sen. Chuck McIlhinney suggests that the liquor privization bill that passed the House last week doesn’t do enough for beer distributors.  In contrast,…

Media

Read More: Liquor Privatization Benefits Beer Distributors

Regulation

Dispelling the Myths About Alcohol Privatization

  • March 22, 2013

The friends of government-run liquor stores have to resort to such tactics as they have neither public opinion nor facts on their side.  Here are just a few of the…

Commentary

Read More: Dispelling the Myths About Alcohol Privatization

Regulation

Liquor Liberty Victory!

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 22, 2013

Last night, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives made history, and we were a part of it! Yesterday marked the first time a vote for liquor store privatization was held, let alone…

Media

Read More: Liquor Liberty Victory!

Regulation

Historic Vote Huge Step to Liquor Liberty

  • March 21, 2013

Members of the House of Representatives made a historic vote today by passing HB 790, a vote to end the state government’s Prohibition-era liquor system in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth Foundation…

Media

Read More: Historic Vote Huge Step to Liquor Liberty

Regulation

Who Supports Liquor Liberty?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 21, 2013

Today the Pennsylvania House is poised to pass landmark legislation (H.B. 790) to privatize the 80-year-old state store system and end the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) inefficient and antiquated…

Media

Read More: Who Supports Liquor Liberty?

Regulation

Mailbag: Booze Q’s

  • Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
  • March 20, 2013

As legislation to get government out of the booze business is debated in the state House, CF‘s mailbox is overflowing with questions about liquor liberty! You asked, we answered: Q:…

Media

Read More: Mailbag: Booze Q’s