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
Governor Shapiro’s Executive Orders Aren’t a Substitute for Real Regulatory Reform
Harrisburg, PA, November 19, 2024 — Gov. Josh Shapiro today issued an executive order to establish a so-called “fast track” for permits for economic development and infrastructure projects. Commonwealth Foundation Director…
Press Release
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Executive Orders Aren’t a Substitute for Real Regulatory ReformRegulation
Prevailing Wage in Pennsylvania
Summary Prevailing wage law dictates the minimum wage rates paid to workers on public construction projects if the project’s estimated costs exceed a certain threshold. Pennsylvania’s threshold for prevailing wage…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Prevailing Wage in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Gov. Shapiro’s permitting reforms are not enough
Originally published at The Mercury Gov. Josh Shapiro brags about making Pennsylvania “open for business” and “competitive as hell.” He recently tweeted, “We’ve cut red…
Media Hit
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s permitting reforms are not enoughRegulation
Pennsylvania workers cannot afford to lose U.S. Steel
Originally published at The Patriot-News For 123 years, U.S. Steel (USS) has operated in Pennsylvania and has been synonymous with the Keystone State. Pittsburgh, aptly named the “Steel…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania workers cannot afford to lose U.S. SteelRegulation
Lowering the Cost of Living Key To Winning Keystone State
Originally published at Newsweek What will it take for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris to win Pennsylvania—arguably the most important state in the 2024 election? The answer is simple. They must…
Media Hit
Read More: Lowering the Cost of Living Key To Winning Keystone StateRegulation
Regulations subvert ‘environmental justice’
Originally published at the Williamsport Sun-Gazette Thirty years ago, more than 800 waste coal piles marred the Pennsylvania landscape, poisoning streams and emitting gaseous odors, including the rotten-egg smell…
Media Hit
Read More: Regulations subvert ‘environmental justice’Regulation
How the Shapiro Administration Doubled the Cost of Broadband
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The digital divide – the gap between communities with and without access to high-speed internet – is a prominent issue in Pennsylvania. More than …
Media Hit
Read More: How the Shapiro Administration Doubled the Cost of BroadbandRegulation
Commonwealth Foundation Welcomes Andrew Lewis as President and CEO
Harrisburg, Pa., September 4, 2024—The Commonwealth Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously named Andrew Lewis the organization’s sixth president and CEO effective September 19, 2024. Lewis served four years in…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Welcomes Andrew Lewis as President and CEORegulation
Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic Economics
Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Vice President Kamala Harris wants to make groceries cheaper. However, her vague proposal to ban “price gouging” will have the opposite effect. Economists,…
Media Hit
Read More: Harris’s Price Controls Ignore Basic EconomicsRegulation
André Béliveau Breaks Down Bogus EPA Regulations on The Dawn Stensland Show
André Béliveau is the Senior Manager of Energy Policy at the Commonwealth Foundation and he joins us today to discuss his latest piece ‘New EPA Rule Is a Death Sentence…
Media Hit
Read More: André Béliveau Breaks Down Bogus EPA Regulations on The Dawn Stensland ShowRegulation
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…
Media Hit
Read More: Why is rural broadband so challenging? Government red tape, mostly.Regulation
Pennsylvania’s permitting system is broken, and Gov. Shapiro needs to fix it
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania is hemorrhaging business, jobs, and capital. Gov. Josh Shapiro admitted the problem: Pennsylvania’s excessive regulations. So, why doesn’t he do more to…
Media Hit
Read More: Pennsylvania’s permitting system is broken, and Gov. Shapiro needs to fix itRegulation
Regulatory Reforms Stalled in State House
Summary Gov. Josh Shapiro’s PAyback permit rebate program is a step forward. But alone, it is insufficient to fix Pennsylvania’s above-average regulatory burden. The governor says he wants to…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Regulatory Reforms Stalled in State HouseRegulation
Shapiro’s Carbon Tax Plan Is Unnecessary, Unpopular and Harmful
Originally published in Real Clear Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro announced…
Media Hit
Read More: Shapiro’s Carbon Tax Plan Is Unnecessary, Unpopular and HarmfulRegulation
Lies, damn lies, and two weeks to flatten the curve
Originally published at Broad + Liberty March 13: the fourth anniversary of Pennsylvania’s “two weeks to flatten the curve.” Governor Tom Wolf issued his first executive order, closing all…
Media Hit
Read More: Lies, damn lies, and two weeks to flatten the curveRegulation
Stefano: Occupational licensing holds Pennsylvania back
Hairdressers and make-up artists alike have to deal with excessive and onerous government regulations to earn a living, explains Commonwealth Foundation Executive Vice President and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jennifer Stefano in her recent …
Press Release
Read More: Stefano: Occupational licensing holds Pennsylvania backRegulation
Occupational licensing holds Pennsylvanians back
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Jasmine is an artist, and her face is her canvas. She has skin so flawless you couldn’t find a pore with a Hubble…
Media Hit
Read More: Occupational licensing holds Pennsylvanians backRegulation
State Law, Financial Experts, and the Governor Himself Condemn Budget Plan to Raid Rainy Day Fund
Harrisburg, Pa., February 19, 2024 — Pennsylvania significantly improved its fiscal standing over the last few years by making deposits into the Rainy Day Fund. Pennsylvania has gone from among the…
Press Release
Read More: State Law, Financial Experts, and the Governor Himself Condemn Budget Plan to Raid Rainy Day FundRegulation
How states can lead the charge on energy affordability and reliability
Originally published at the Washington Examiner To challenge the Left’s environmental radicalism, we need a prudent vision for an environmentally friendly but reliable electric grid that delivers…
Media Hit
Read More: How states can lead the charge on energy affordability and reliabilityRegulation
If Josh Shapiro wants to compete with Ohio, he needs to imitate Ohio
Originally published at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Gov. Josh Shapiro is right: Pennsylvania is losing to Ohio. In the last two years, Pennsylvania witnessed a net loss of 2,425 residents and…
Media Hit
Read More: If Josh Shapiro wants to compete with Ohio, he needs to imitate OhioRegulation
Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal
Harrisburg, Pa., February 8, 2024 — The spending increases proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his recently released 2024 budget proposal “would explode the budget deficit and invite massive tax hikes on…
Press Release
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation’s Nathan Benefield Releases Analysis of the Governor’s 2024 Budget Proposal