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.
Government Accountability
Live from PA Leadership Conference (#PALC)
For those of you unable to attend the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference this year, most of the sessions will be carried live on PCN TV. You can also listen…
Media
Read More: Live from PA Leadership Conference (#PALC)Public Union Democracy
Cost-Saving Ideas for Pennsylvania State Budget
Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield, Director of Policy Research, Commonwealth Foundation to the Pennsylvania Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission, April 12, 2010 Good morning; I am Nathan…
Testimony
Read More: Cost-Saving Ideas for Pennsylvania State BudgetRegulation
Film Tax Credits = Good Public Relations, Poor Economics
The Manhattan Institute’s Josh Barro made this excellent comparison in his recent article, Film Tax Credits Are An Unaffordable Luxury: Maine has no auto manufacturing plants, but it’s…
Media
Read More: Film Tax Credits = Good Public Relations, Poor EconomicsEducation
Ten Tips to Balance the Budget
Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten…
Commentary
Read More: Ten Tips to Balance the BudgetRegulation
FCC’s Net Neutrality Gets Shot Down… For Now!
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) effort to regulate companies that provide Internet access came to halt yesterday. In 2008 FCC sanctioned Comcast for slowing…
Media
Read More: FCC’s Net Neutrality Gets Shot Down… For Now!Public Union Democracy
You’ve Been Duped
Apparently our April Fools Day news release hit a little too close to home for some. We announced that under new…
Media
Read More: You’ve Been DupedRegulation
PA Gives Shyamalan $35 Million Tax Break
Despite the reduction in the Film Tax Credit (which does little to generate economic growth) M. Night Shyamalan’s latest production, The Last Airbender received over $35 million (over multiple…
Media
Read More: PA Gives Shyamalan $35 Million Tax BreakRegulation
Still Not Easy Being Green for PA Taxpayers
In 2005, CF advised against passing Gov. Rendell’s Growing Greener II initiative because far better alternatives than increasing Pennsylvania’s debt load could have been used to save farmlands and…
Media
Read More: Still Not Easy Being Green for PA TaxpayersRegulation
Another Film Tax Credit Report Ignores Economics
In its analysis of Pennsylvania’s motion picture and television industry the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board pins down the creation of jobs and increased wages in the film industry…
Media
Read More: Another Film Tax Credit Report Ignores EconomicsRegulation
Slots vs. Lottery
PA Independent summarizes a recent Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report that concludes slot machine gambling has not undermined lottery sales. I…
Media
Read More: Slots vs. LotteryRegulation
Illinois Passes Pension Reductions
While the Pennsylvania General Assembly is holding hearings to assess our public pension crisis is really bad, or really-really bad, Illinois is acting to reduce state pension benefits…
Media
Read More: Illinois Passes Pension ReductionsRegulation
Private Parks Promote Public Preservation
It is an oft-disseminated myth that government has to be the sole guardian of our historic sites, museums, and parks. For instance, during the 2009 state budget impasse, Gov. Rendell…
Commentary
Read More: Private Parks Promote Public PreservationRegulation
Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette Tax
According to a recent op-ed by Marc Kilmer of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a 2007 cigarette tax is having an adverse effect on the Free State’s economy. While…
Media
Read More: Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette TaxRegulation
Private Historical Sites are More Popular
Unfortunately, the ability of non profit groups, private philanthropy and individual entrepreneurship have to preserve our historic sites and natural resources is largely overlooked. The perception that privately run…
Media
Read More: Private Historical Sites are More PopularRegulation
Philadelphia Should Get out of the Garbage Business
Earlier this month, Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter proposed increasing the city’s trash collection fee to $300 to deal with the city’s budget deficit. Instead of finding ways to be more…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia Should Get out of the Garbage BusinessRegulation
State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%
A new survey from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics looks at the total employer costs for workers in both the private and public sector. While wages for…
Media
Read More: State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%Regulation
Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAIL
Pennsylvania governor candidate Tom Corbett and his campaign team unveiled the first of seven policy outlines on economic development. Much of what it outlines is simply political rhetoric –…
Media
Read More: Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAILRegulation
PA State Troopers Raid Philly Bars
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that dozens of Pennsylvania state troopers raided some Philly bars for selling unregistered brands of beer: Although the bar owners had bought the beer…
Media
Read More: PA State Troopers Raid Philly BarsRegulation
Will History Vanish Without State Spending?
It is an oft-disseminated lie that the government is the needed guardian of our historic sites and museums. Just as the private sector has begun to save our…
Media
Read More: Will History Vanish Without State Spending?Public Union Democracy
Rendell’s War on (Some) Special Interests
Gov. Rendell, of course, didn't declare war on all special interests - only those who oppose his tax-borrow-and-spend agenda. For example, while he lambasts the natural gas industry for opposing…
Commentary
Read More: Rendell’s War on (Some) Special InterestsRegulation
Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New Hires
In an interview with the Allentown Morning Call, Gov. Rendell calls for changing the pension benefits for new state and school district employees, citing the enormous costs of…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New Hires