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.
Regulation
Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 Preview
The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 PreviewRegulation
Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?
As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners…
Commentary
Read More: Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?Regulation
Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a Cracker
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing a special tax deal to attract a “cracker” plant to the state. The proposed Shell cracker—which breaks down natural gas…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a CrackerRegulation
Time to End Borrowing for Corporate Welfare
The Pa. House is expected to vote this week on SB 1054, legislation to authorize $1.66 billion in state borrowing for the “capital budget.” The annual cost of this…
Media
Read More: Time to End Borrowing for Corporate WelfareRegulation
Pennsylvania Pols Pass Potent Potables Perestroika
Today, the Pennsylvania House amended HB 11 and then sent it on to the full house for consideration. The first amendment guts any privatization of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pols Pass Potent Potables PerestroikaRegulation
WTF! Why the Failure?
In a move requiring mental gymnastics that would make even Nadia Comaneci pack it in, some Pennsylvania House members are praising an “historic” liquor privatization bill that cleared…
Media
Read More: WTF! Why the Failure?Regulation
PLCB Called on to Stop Wine and Spirits Advertising
The Commonwealth Foundation called for an immediate halt today by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board of taxpayer-funded advertising that promotes the sale of wine and spirits by the government-run monopoly.
Press Release
Read More: PLCB Called on to Stop Wine and Spirits AdvertisingRegulation
PLCB Rape Ad Illustrates Conflict of Interest
Like a pyromaniac preaching fire prevention, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is at war with itself in a costly conflict of interest that sees the agency wasting tax dollars. On…
Media
Read More: PLCB Rape Ad Illustrates Conflict of InterestRegulation
PLCB is $30 Million in the Hole
As Jay noted earlier, Auditor General Jack Wagner and a number of defenders of the current government monopoly argue that the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is a great…
Media
Read More: PLCB is $30 Million in the HoleRegulation
PLCB: Buy More, Drink Less, Embrace Hypocrisy!
From the growing library of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board doublespeak comes a PLCB news release today urging responsible drinking over the holiday season. What’s wrong with that you ask? Well, nothing if you…
Media
Read More: PLCB: Buy More, Drink Less, Embrace Hypocrisy!Regulation
Green Fiascoes and Boondoggles
Economist Mark Hendrickson, a member of CF’s Council of Scholars, looks at the failure of government funded “green energy” projects in his latest column for the Center for Vision…
Media
Read More: Green Fiascoes and BoondogglesRegulation
CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor Privatization
We had a few questions remaining from audience members following last week’s PolicyCast. In this short video, Priya Abraham and I tackle three questions on proposals to privatize state-run liquor…
Media
Read More: CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor PrivatizationRegulation
The Real Housewives of the PLCB?
From the directors of such fine films as The Great Kiosk Catastrophe, The Inventory System of Doom, and Big Brother Border Bleed comes its latest house of horrors: …
Media
Read More: The Real Housewives of the PLCB?Education
Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities
Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Fall 2011 Legislative PrioritiesEducation
Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor Choice
In the latest edition of The BOX Program podcast, State Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne sits down sits down with Matt Brouillette. Sen. Browne discusses school choice and liquor store…
Media
Read More: Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor ChoiceRegulation
Did Union Boss Young Read Wrong Liquor Study?
The union boss who earns nearly $300,000 each year by forcing liquor store employees to pay dues to his union released a statement regarding the PFM group’s report…
Media
Read More: Did Union Boss Young Read Wrong Liquor Study?Regulation
Highlights from Governor’s Liquor Privatization Summary
Gov. Tom Corbett released a long-awaited study from The PFM Group on state liquor store privatization. Click here for the full study (nearly 300 pages), or here to get…
Media
Read More: Highlights from Governor’s Liquor Privatization SummaryEducation
Want a 70% Approval Rating?
Let’s be real. One of the things that often gets CF into trouble is that from the outside, it seems like we never need to worry about whether the free-market…
Media
Read More: Want a 70% Approval Rating?Regulation
Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?
The Patriot News obtained a draft copy of the forthcoming study on liquor store privatization commissioned by Gov. Tom Corbett. According to the story, the report predicts auctioning…
Media
Read More: Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?Regulation
Knowles’ Bill Puts Taxpayers Above Special Interests
Liquor store union president Wendell Young appears to be on a campaign to discredit any lawmaker that favors removing the state’s monopoly stranglehold over liquor sales. You can…
Media
Read More: Knowles’ Bill Puts Taxpayers Above Special InterestsRegulation
Is Liquor Liberty Dangerous?
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board operates with a clear conflict of interest. It is charged with both enforcement and managing sales. It spends millions to advertise alcohol products.
Media
Read More: Is Liquor Liberty Dangerous?