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
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”Regulation
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?Regulation
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
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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 RevenueRegulation
New Video: CF President on FOX Business
This morning, CF President & CEO Matthew Brouillette appeared on FOX Business’s Varney & Co. to highlight the public pension crisis facing Pennsylvania and cities and states across the…
Media
Read More: New Video: CF President on FOX BusinessRegulation
Copycat Union Letters Repeat Pension Myths
In July, a commentary by Matt Brouillette on why pension reform failed in our state legislature ran in several newspapers across Pennsylvania. Now response letters from teachers have been…
Media
Read More: Copycat Union Letters Repeat Pension MythsRegulation
Liquor Privatization Saves Lives?
A little more than one year ago, Washington state privatized its liquor stores (and liquor wholesale operations). As we’ve noted before, both sales and tax revenue increased under privatization.
Media
Read More: Liquor Privatization Saves Lives?Regulation
“Failure” Leads to Downgrade for Pennsylvania
This latest look at Pennsylvania’s fiscal house shows the urgency of pension reform and spending restraint. Fitch Ratings yesterday downgraded Pennsylvania’s bond rating. This effectively sends a sign to…
Media
Read More: “Failure” Leads to Downgrade for PennsylvaniaRegulation
Big Government Party Blocks Bold Reforms
Why haven’t liquor privatization and pension reform passed yet here in Pennsylvania? The reason is that the true divide in the General Assembly is not between the Republicans and Democrats,…
Commentary
Read More: Big Government Party Blocks Bold ReformsRegulation
Government Unions Torpedo Agenda
The state budget deadline came and went without passage of any of the “Big Three” policy items—liquor store privatization, pension reform, or transportation tax and fee increases. It was clear…
Media
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Consumers Still Waiting for Convenience
Consumers still demand convenience when it comes to purchasing alcohol, according to a story in the Patriot News, despite the General Assembly’s delay on passing liquor privatization until after…
Media
Read More: Consumers Still Waiting for ConvenienceRegulation
Liquor Liberty Coming to PA?
Early this morning, the Pennsylvania Senate passed an amendment written by Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi to the historic liquor privatization bill that passed the House three months ago. …
Media
Read More: Liquor Liberty Coming to PA?Regulation
New Senate Liquor Proposal Still Falls Short, Part Deux
The Senate’s latest liquor proposal is out, but from the consumer perspective, leaves much to be desired. The plan does not get government out of the booze business. Although…
Media
Read More: New Senate Liquor Proposal Still Falls Short, Part DeuxRegulation
Podcast: Where Does Pension Reform Stand?
On this BOX Program podcast, Representative Fred Keller (R) 85th District, joins Nathan Benefield to break down what’s been happening in the legislature on pension reform. Both the House and…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Where Does Pension Reform Stand?Regulation
Pension Reform Benefits Workers and Taxpayers
Pennsylvania’s two main government worker pension systems, the Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employee Retirement System (SERS), together have more tha than $47 billion in unfunded…
Media
Read More: Pension Reform Benefits Workers and Taxpayers