Regulation
Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.
Originally published at Broad + Liberty Politicians celebrate taxpayer funds pouring into Pennsylvania to “bridge the digital divide.” Last month, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) praised the approval of…
Read More: Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.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.
Government Accountability
State Promotes California Wine, Local Wineries Puzzled
Media
Read More: State Promotes California Wine, Local Wineries PuzzledRegulation
Last Call for PLCB’s In-House Brands?
In an interview with the Tribune-Review, Chairman of the PLCB Joseph “Skip” Brion said it’s no secret he favors ending the PLCB’s in-house wine brands. Yep, in case you…
Media
Read More: Last Call for PLCB’s In-House Brands?Regulation
Taxpayers Lose without Lottery Deal
Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced today she would not sign off on a contract with a private manager for the Pennsylvania lottery. The real losers from this decision are…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Lose without Lottery DealPublic Union Democracy
Unsinkable: The True Story of Pennsylvania’s Sinking Pension System
The politics of pensions encourage lawmakers to "grant lavish benefts in good yearsand [decide] not to pay in bad years - precisely what created the current crisis."…
Poll
Read More: Unsinkable: The True Story of Pennsylvania’s Sinking Pension SystemRegulation
Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)
The Patriot News reports that private lottery manager Camelot Global Services may not be willing to extend its bid beyond the current expiration date of Saturday. Attorney General Kathleen…
Media
Read More: Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)Regulation
Poll: Pennsylvania Voters Want Liquor Choice
The Commonwealth Foundation today released a new poll showing widespread support for ending the government-run monopoly over wine and liquor. The poll results and more information about proposals to…
Media
Read More: Poll: Pennsylvania Voters Want Liquor ChoiceRegulation
Poll: Pennsylvanians Want End to Government Booze Sales
Contact: Jay Ostrich: 717-649-6547| [email protected] A strong majority of Pennsylvanians favor ending government sale of wine and liquor according to a comprehensive poll conducted by nationally-renown pollster, FM3, released…
Press Release
Read More: Poll: Pennsylvanians Want End to Government Booze SalesRegulation
Liquor Liberty at Long Last?
Yesterday, Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his proposal for privatizing the government-run liquor stores and bringing Pennsylvania into the 21st century when it comes to the sale of alcohol. Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Liquor Liberty at Long Last?Regulation
PLCB Declares Emergency, Reign of Error Continues
From the “You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up File,” we bring you word the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has declared an emergency today. That’s right, I said it, an…
Media
Read More: PLCB Declares Emergency, Reign of Error ContinuesRegulation
PLCB’s Sultan of Syrah Surrenders Silently
For those in the public relations business, a state-issued news release dropped on a weekend buttressed by a holiday is the media equivalent of the midnight pay raise. But that’s…
Media
Read More: PLCB’s Sultan of Syrah Surrenders SilentlyRegulation
Pension Bomb to Hit Pennsylvania Families
Are you ready to pay an additional $1,000 in state and local taxes alone? Prepared to see your child's teacher laid off? Thanks to bad promises politicians made to good…
Commentary
Read More: Pension Bomb to Hit Pennsylvania FamiliesPublic Union Democracy
Lottery Agreement Better Than Union Guesstimate
AFSCME’s counter proposal to the Pennsylvania Lottery private management agreement (PMA) provides no guaranteed revenue for senior services, no new jobs and no protections for taxpayers if profits fall…
Media
Read More: Lottery Agreement Better Than Union GuesstimatePublic Union Democracy
Union Attacks Won’t Improve Lottery
AFSCME Council 13, the union representing state lottery employees, released its “Alternatives” to a lottery private management agreement. However, their document doesn’t represent a serious counter-proposal that would…
Media
Read More: Union Attacks Won’t Improve LotteryRegulation
Lottery Deal = Guarantees not Gamble
Lottery profits fund programs for senior citizens—but demand for these services is growing faster than Lottery revenue. The private lottery management agreement recently bid out by the…
Media
Read More: Lottery Deal = Guarantees not GamblePublic Union Democracy
Protecting Seniors and Taxpayers from the Lottery Cliff
From the greatest generation to the latest generation, our senior citizens have sacrificed to make Pennsylvania safe and prosperous. Our seniors deserve world-class care and assurance that their growing needs…
Memo
Read More: Protecting Seniors and Taxpayers from the Lottery CliffPublic Union Democracy
Government Union Cronies Collude Against Seniors
Here’s a letter to the editor I wrote identifying the connections between special interest groups who oppose a lottery contract, and their motives for undermining a deal that would generate…
Media
Read More: Government Union Cronies Collude Against SeniorsRegulation
PA Tax Loophole Funds Frackaphobic Film
There’s a memorable line in Promised Land, the new Matt Damon movie opening Friday about a gas drilling company buying land rights in a declining farming community. One…
Media
Read More: PA Tax Loophole Funds Frackaphobic FilmRegulation
Averting the “Lottery Cliff” for Seniors and Taxpayers
From the greatest generation to the latest generation, Pennsylvania’s seniors have worked a lifetime to build this great commonwealth through hard work and sacrifice, but are now being told the…
Commentary
Read More: Averting the “Lottery Cliff” for Seniors and TaxpayersRegulation
Shocking Shelf Charade Shakes Sultans of Syrah
Is the fix in for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s “in-house” government wine program? Do one-legged ducks swim in circles? Of course, and intrepid Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Kari Andren has…
Media
Read More: Shocking Shelf Charade Shakes Sultans of SyrahRegulation
Lottery Privatization Process = Full Term Pregnancy
Nine months is a long time…trust me, I’m seven months pregnant. So why are critics arguing the lottery bidding process has been hurried? Far from being secretive…
Media
Read More: Lottery Privatization Process = Full Term PregnancyPublic Union Democracy
Private Lottery Management FAQ
To protect seniors from future service cuts, the Corbett administration is seeking a private management agreement (PMA) to ensure Lottery profits will meet seniors' needs. Lottery services company Camelot submitted…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Private Lottery Management FAQ