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
Did Lawmakers Fix the Pension Mess?
Joe DiStefano of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that State Representative (and PSERS Board member) Dwight Evans claims no further pension reform is needed. Evans is hardly dealing with reality.
Media
Read More: Did Lawmakers Fix the Pension Mess?Regulation
New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor Stores
Released today, the Quinnipiac University poll shows that 66 percent of Pennsylvania voters support selling state liquor stores—a rise from the 50 percent reported by a F&M poll…
Media
Read More: New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor StoresRegulation
Supremes Say Grocery Store Suds Sales Sanctioned
The State Supreme Court has ruled uniamously that Wegmen’s and other grocery stores with restaurants are allowed to apply for retail beer licenses, which allow them to sell six…
Media
Read More: Supremes Say Grocery Store Suds Sales SanctionedRegulation
Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What Now
My presentation to the Berks County Patriots on Pennsylvania state spending and the fiscal and economic challenges facing Pennsylvania is available below, or can be downloaded here:…
Media
Read More: Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What NowRegulation
No WAMS Pledge
The Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania is starting a new campaign to banish WAMs (Walking Around Money) from the General Assembly, much like some members of Congress are attempting to…
Media
Read More: No WAMS PledgeRegulation
Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?
After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…
Commentary
Read More: Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?Regulation
PA House Passes Recycling Mandate
Monday’s State House voting session focused on the pension bailout, but in the flurry of activity, a little discussed recycling bill that will cost manufacturers thousands annually and deter new…
Media
Read More: PA House Passes Recycling MandateRegulation
Chart: PA Pension Spike Delayed
After the passage of HB 2497 yesterday, assuming Gov. Rendell signs the bill, and it overcomes court challenges on its constitutionality, the dreaded pension spike will be merely delayed a…
Media
Read More: Chart: PA Pension Spike DelayedRegulation
Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”
Fox 29 Philadelphia has a video story up about the use of RACP money—state borrowing for corporate welfare—for projects such as resort spas, sports stadiums, and Tasty Cakes (not…
Media
Read More: Time to End State Borrowing for “Economic Development”Regulation
Pension “Reform” Goes to Gov. Rendell
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment with today’s passage of House Bill 2497, which defers significant pension costs on to…
Press Release
Read More: Pension “Reform” Goes to Gov. RendellRegulation
HB 2497 Increases Pension Unfunded Liabilities
As we’ve pointed out, PSERS own charts show that the reform would leave the pension fund dangerously close to 50% funded—the…
Media
Read More: HB 2497 Increases Pension Unfunded LiabilitiesRegulation
Unwarranted Police Raids
Last week, the Daily Caller featured an article from the Institute for Justice (IJ), which revealed that police in Florida are raiding barbershops for drugs without search warrants,…
Media
Read More: Unwarranted Police RaidsRegulation
Trying to Redefine “Savings” in HB 2497
While many legislators we’ve spoke to agree that we need to move public employees into a Defined Contribution retirement plan—which HB 2497 doesn’t do—and away from the current Defined…
Media
Read More: Trying to Redefine “Savings” in HB 2497Regulation
The Politics of Pensions: Why the Taxpayers Lose
On Friday’s conference call regarding HB 2497, the Union Pension Bailout Bill (because it bails out the union from real pension reform), someone asked why there were so few…
Media
Read More: The Politics of Pensions: Why the Taxpayers LoseRegulation
Media and Bloggers Highlight Coming Pension Battle
In advance of Monday’s vote on HB 2497, the Union Pension Bailout—and afraid folks would be caught unaware of this lame-duck effort—the Commonwealth Foundation issued an action alert;…
Media
Read More: Media and Bloggers Highlight Coming Pension BattleRegulation
School Union Continues to Deceive Its Members
Matt wrote earlier about the millions of dollars public sector unions have poured in political campaigns to get their union pension bailout.
Media
Read More: School Union Continues to Deceive Its MembersRegulation
Union Campaign Cash for HB 2497
Who is not aware that the natural gas industry gave tons of campaign cash to elected officials in PA? Very few, as the media loved to tell that story…
Media
Read More: Union Campaign Cash for HB 2497Regulation
13 Reasons to Oppose HB 2497
Pennsylvania's largest public pension plans—Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) and State Employees Retirement System (SERS)—are severely underfunded. But instead of reforming the defined-benefit pension system and paying down these…
Fact Sheet
Read More: 13 Reasons to Oppose HB 2497Regulation
Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension Bailout
Dear CF Friend, We’ve just learned that the Pennsylvania House will be returning on Monday for a lame duck session, and will likely vote on a union…
Media
Read More: Action Alert: Help Stop the Union Pension BailoutRegulation
Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA House
Today, Speaker McCall called the Pennsylvania House back into voting session on November 15th. Members are expected to vote a couple of key pieces of legislation including the ill-conceived…
Media
Read More: Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA HouseRegulation
Privatizing State Liquor Stores is a Real Possibility
After years of discussion, it appears the tides have finally turned in favor of privatizing Pennsylvania’s liquor stores. With a newly GOP controlled legislature, support for the policy is…
Media
Read More: Privatizing State Liquor Stores is a Real Possibility