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.
Regulation
Growing Greener is Corporate Welfare
The Patriot News editorial board has yet another editorial arguing for a new tax on natural gas, on top of the taxes they already pay. While the board’s passion…
Media
Read More: Growing Greener is Corporate WelfareGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania State Government Union Contracts
On June 30, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Government Union ContractsRegulation
PA Ranks 27th on Economic Freedom Index
The Mercatus Center’s annual report of the Freedom in the 50 States ranked the Keystone State 27th in economic freedom. Pennsylvania’s overall freedom ranking has declined three places since 2007.
Media
Read More: PA Ranks 27th on Economic Freedom IndexRegulation
Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our Grandkids
Politicians last year passed their version of pension reform by deferring existing unfunded liabilities, making them even more unaffordable. The situation was so severe that they felt compelled to include…
Commentary
Read More: Not Paying Pension Bills Hurts our GrandkidsRegulation
Inky Sinks Pink Drink Stink
A hearty hoorah and hat tip goes to the Philadelphia Inquirer today for their spot-on editorial blasting the PLCB’s perestroika campaign, whereby they call beleaguered booze bumblers, “Orwellian.” In analysis of…
Media
Read More: Inky Sinks Pink Drink StinkRegulation
Pennsylvania State Pension Liabilities
PSERS and SERS project total taxpayer contributions will increase from $1.1 billion this year to more than $5.5 billion in 2016—a 421% increase in five years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Pension LiabilitiesRegulation
The Phony “Surplus”
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released May General Fund tax collection data, and many lawmakers are clamoring to spend this “surplus”. But the idea there is any “surplus” is…
Media
Read More: The Phony “Surplus”Public Union Democracy
Pennsylvania’s State Union Contracts
On June 30, 2011, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s State Union ContractsRegulation
Have Casinos Hurt Lottery Sales?
According to a new report from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, the presence of casinos does not have a negative impact on state lottery revenues. At the same…
Media
Read More: Have Casinos Hurt Lottery Sales?Regulation
Privatizing “Yellow Pages” Government
This report surveys the scope of Yellow Pages Government in Pennsylvania, looks at examples of state and local privatization throughout the country, and outlines best practices to equip lawmakers to…
Report
Read More: Privatizing “Yellow Pages” GovernmentRegulation
Privatization Could Save Harrisburg
In December, Harrisburg entered into the state’s ominous Act 47 program for distressed cities to avoid bankruptcy. Privatization seems one option to help the city deal with its debt…
Media
Read More: Privatization Could Save HarrisburgRegulation
Who Owns “Big Oil”?
We’ve previously pointed out that a tax on natural gas is a direct tax on landowners, but a new study shows it hurts teachers and state workers too. “Big…
Media
Read More: Who Owns “Big Oil”?Regulation
Inky: PLCB Paradox Puzzling, Primitive
We give a strong hat tip to the Philadelphia Inquirer today for their spot-on editorial blasting the PLCB’s perilous plan promoting perestroika. Finding absurdity in the new plan to bring…
Media
Read More: Inky: PLCB Paradox Puzzling, PrimitiveRegulation
A Penny Saved or a Penny Burned?
For any family, saving a few dollars for the future and paying off credit card bills would be the fiscally prudent path. Likewise, state lawmakers should resist the temptation to…
Commentary
Read More: A Penny Saved or a Penny Burned?Regulation
Should States Stop Regulating Telephones?
Land line use in the United States continues to decline as more households are going “wireless” and relying exclusively on their cell phones. About 17 percent of Pennsylvania households…
Media
Read More: Should States Stop Regulating Telephones?Regulation
A Half-Billion Saved is a Half-Billion Earned
After April’s General Fund tax collections came in at 9 percent above forecasts, some lawmakers are clamoring to spend any surplus Pennsylvania has at the end of the…
Media
Read More: A Half-Billion Saved is a Half-Billion EarnedRegulation
Public Pensions & Politics
Here’s a presentation on government pensions from our senior fellow Rick Dreyfuss. PA Pension Reform Presentation …
Media
Read More: Public Pensions & PoliticsRegulation
PLCB’s Consumer Ca$htastrophe Continues
In another blinding flash of the obvious, the PLCB, Pennsylvania’s purveyors of perestroika, revealed in a Harrisburg Patriot News article today what we already knew: The supermarket wine kiosks…
Media
Read More: PLCB’s Consumer Ca$htastrophe ContinuesRegulation
Booze Boss Bio Baffles Board
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board called our offices to let us know we were misinformed when we noted that PLCB Chairman Joe Conti co-sponsored legislation to privatize the liquor stores…
Media
Read More: Booze Boss Bio Baffles BoardRegulation
Good News for Home Builders
Back in January 2010, I noted the unwise decision by the Department of Labor & Industry to implement new building codes based on recommendations by the International Code…
Media
Read More: Good News for Home BuildersRegulation
Exposing the State Store Myth on Facebook?
One of my friends sends me this [names redacted]: So one of my facebook friends just turned 21, and this is her Facebook status right now: just bought my…
Media
Read More: Exposing the State Store Myth on Facebook?