Regulation

Regulation

Can We Talk?

• February 22, 2013

Today, CF held our first Google Hangout: A live video broadcast of a conversation between CF experts about the state budget. In under 20 minutes, we hit on Governor…

Media

Regulation

Leader Launches Liquor Liberty Legislation

• Nathan Benefield
• February 21, 2013

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai put forth a cosponsorship memo announcing legislation to end the government-run liquor store monopoly.  The legislation will be officially introduced on March 4 as…

Media

Regulation

Liquor Privatization Myths & Facts

• February 21, 2013

More than 60 percent of Pennsylvania residents support getting government out of the booze business.  This is broad-based, bi­partisan support that finds even the majority of union house­holds want Liquor…

Fact Sheet

Government Accountability

State Promotes California Wine, Local Wineries Puzzled

• February 20, 2013

Media

Regulation

Last Call for PLCB’s In-House Brands?

• February 20, 2013

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

Regulation

Taxpayers Lose without Lottery Deal

• Nathan Benefield
• February 14, 2013

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

Public Union Democracy

Unsinkable: The True Story of Pennsylvania’s Sinking Pension System

• February 13, 2013

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

Regulation

Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)

• Nathan Benefield
• February 12, 2013

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

Regulation

Poll: Pennsylvania Voters Want Liquor Choice

• February 12, 2013

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

Regulation

Poll: Pennsylvanians Want End to Government Booze Sales

• February 12, 2013

Contact: Jay Ostrich: 717-649-6547| jay@cfpolicy.com 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

Regulation

Liquor Liberty at Long Last?

• Nathan Benefield
• January 31, 2013

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

Regulation

PLCB Declares Emergency, Reign of Error Continues

• January 25, 2013

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

Regulation

PLCB’s Sultan of Syrah Surrenders Silently

• January 21, 2013

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

Regulation

Pension Bomb to Hit Pennsylvania Families

• Nathan Benefield
• January 18, 2013

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

Public Union Democracy

Lottery Agreement Better Than Union Guesstimate

• Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
• January 10, 2013

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

Public Union Democracy

Union Attacks Won’t Improve Lottery

• Nathan Benefield
• January 9, 2013

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

Regulation

Lottery Deal = Guarantees not Gamble

• Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
• January 7, 2013

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

Public Union Democracy

Protecting Seniors and Taxpayers from the Lottery Cliff

• Elizabeth Stelle
• January 3, 2013

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

Public Union Democracy

Government Union Cronies Collude Against Seniors

• Nathan Benefield
• January 3, 2013

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

Regulation

PA Tax Loophole Funds Frackaphobic Film

• Elizabeth Stelle, Priya Brannick
• January 3, 2013

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

Regulation

Averting the “Lottery Cliff” for Seniors and Taxpayers

• Elizabeth Stelle
• January 3, 2013

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