Prosperity
Shapiro’s “Fast-Track” program is great for his allies, but bad for Pennsylvania
Originally published at The Patriot-News Is Josh Shapiro the future of the Democratic Party? He certainly wants to be, but he just failed an early test. This…
Read More: Shapiro’s “Fast-Track” program is great for his allies, but bad for 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.
Public Union Democracy
Pennsylvania’s Pension Iceberg
Laura Olson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a story on the crisis in Pennsylvania’s public pensions, and Gov. Corbett injecting pension reform into the budget discussion: Even with…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Pension IcebergRegulation
Taxpayers Screaming at PLCB Waste
Another day, another story of waste at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. ABC 27’s Dennis Owens reports on the PLCB buying extravagant wine, then selling it at a discount…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Screaming at PLCB WasteRegulation
Who Should Need the Government’s Permission to Work?
What's more dangerous, an incompetent barber or incompetent emergency medical worker? Most people would say and EMT, but a barber has to undergo almost nine times the hours of training…
Media
Read More: Who Should Need the Government’s Permission to Work?Regulation
Broken Bottle Booze Bonanza Baffles Bourbon Barons
Another day, another alliteration, another wasteful Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board practice uncovered by the media. This time, a hat tip to Ben Simmoneau of CBS 3 Philadelphia for his report…
Media
Read More: Broken Bottle Booze Bonanza Baffles Bourbon BaronsHealth Care
New Healthcare Regs Would Cost PA Taxpayers $50 Million
A bill on the floor of the state House would circumvent consumer freedom when it comes to prescription drugs. Many employers, including the state, encourage employees to buy less costly…
Media
Read More: New Healthcare Regs Would Cost PA Taxpayers $50 MillionRegulation
UnAPPetizing Waste Poured by PLCB…Again
Have you heard of the millionaire iPhone app? It’s called VIP Black and for $1,000 at the iTunes store you get a “premium lifestyle application” that guarantees “heightened…
Media
Read More: UnAPPetizing Waste Poured by PLCB…AgainRegulation
EXPOSED: PLCB Wine Shrine Uncovered
Nothing to see here, folks, move along and remain quiet, we are busy protecting your palettes. That’s the dismissive reaction to taxpayers from Pennsylvania Liquor Control boss Joe Conti whose defense…
Media
Read More: EXPOSED: PLCB Wine Shrine UncoveredGovernment Accountability
Liquor’s Lap of Luxury a Laughingstock
With grand style on your dime, the ponderous Princes of Pinot are noses and palms up choosing what wine and liquor you will and will not consume in the Keystone…
Media
Read More: Liquor’s Lap of Luxury a LaughingstockRegulation
Reform Bills Would Begin to Reduce Fiscal Fire
While the fiscal fire is raging across Pennsylvania, Rep. Eli Evankovich’s pension reform proposal begins to extinguish the flames that threaten to consume the commonwealth. We’ve been on record…
Media
Read More: Reform Bills Would Begin to Reduce Fiscal FireRegulation
The Fight for Liquor Liberty Continues
The fight to free Pennsylvanians’ drinks from government control is far from over, according to House Majority Leader Mike Turzai. Rep. Turzai is expected to give a much needed…
Media
Read More: The Fight for Liquor Liberty ContinuesRegulation
States Tap Public-Private Partnerships in 2011
Public-private partnerships aren’t just for roads anymore. Reason’s Annual Privatization Report, released this week, is packed with diverse examples of states leveraging the private sector to stretch tax dollars. In California,…
Media
Read More: States Tap Public-Private Partnerships in 2011Regulation
Wizards of Whine Crying Fowl
Call me Ostrich, a ruffed grouse or anything you like, Mr. Conti, but don’t call me and nearly 70 percent of Pennsylvanians satisfied with the PLCB’s iron-fisted…
Media
Read More: Wizards of Whine Crying FowlPublic Union Democracy
Union Party Speaks: Defend Union Agenda
We’ve mentioned many times that the real party controlling the Pennsylvania legislature is not the Republican Party, but rather the Union Party. Today, in a story by the Pittsburgh…
Media
Read More: Union Party Speaks: Defend Union AgendaRegulation
Government-run Golf a Taxpayer Double Bogey
Believe it or not, local governments, i.e., taxpayers, own 49 golf courses in Pennsylvania. One of the poorest performers is Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, owned by Dauphin County taxpayers, which…
Commentary
Read More: Government-run Golf a Taxpayer Double BogeyRegulation
Lottery Contract Could Make Everyone a Winner
The lottery is on the minds of those in Harrisburg this week, but it has nothing to do with the $656 Mega Millions jackpot won by three lucky ticket…
Media
Read More: Lottery Contract Could Make Everyone a WinnerRegulation
Schools Get Property Tax Referendum Exemptions for Pension Costs
Last year, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed, and Gov. Corbett signed, legislation reducing the number of exemptions to the school tax referendum requirement. But as noted this…
Media
Read More: Schools Get Property Tax Referendum Exemptions for Pension CostsRegulation
Is Corporate Welfare for Shell Cracker Good for PA?
Astute readers may remember that last month Pennsylvania earned the dubious distinction of the highest taxes for mature businesses and the second highest taxes for new businesses. So how…
Media
Read More: Is Corporate Welfare for Shell Cracker Good for PA?Regulation
Pennsylvania State and School Pension Costs
Pennsylvania taxpayers fund two statewide pension plans for government employees—the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) for state employees and the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) for school employees. PSERS…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State and School Pension CostsRegulation
House Passes Corporate Welfare Reform
This week the Pennsylvania House passed RACP (pronounced RCAP) reform by a wide margin of 184 to 9. RACP – the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program – is a political…
Media
Read More: House Passes Corporate Welfare ReformEducation
Does Underfunding Pensions “Help the Kids”?
A letter I recently submitted to the Allentown Morning Call on state education subsidies and pension funding: The Morning Call’s article on state subsidies to school districts has…
Media
Read More: Does Underfunding Pensions “Help the Kids”?Regulation
Sounding the Alarm to Save Pennsylvania
A four-alarm fire is engulfing Pennsylvania's economy. If we don't regain control of the state debt, corrections costs, public welfare growth and government employee pensions, our state taxpayers will be…
Commentary
Read More: Sounding the Alarm to Save Pennsylvania