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
Paper or Plastic?
This morning I came across a ridiculous piece of legislation. Rep. McGeehan has proposed HB 2200, which would ban paper and plastic bags in grocery stores. Forget subtle…
Media
Read More: Paper or Plastic?Regulation
Pennsylvania’s Gold Rush
In economically depressed Northeast Pennsylvania shale drilling has reinvigorated local economies creating thousands of jobs (29,000) last year. Yesterday, Fox News featured the region and the Marcellus Shale “gold rush”.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Gold RushRegulation
Deal on Pennsylvania Table Games Appears Done
After Gov. Rendell threatened to lay off 1,000 state workers if he didn’t sign legislation to establish table games (and the licensing fee and tax) at Pennsylvania casinos by…
Media
Read More: Deal on Pennsylvania Table Games Appears DoneGovernment Accountability
Capitol Cafeteria Another Rendell Sweetheart Contract
While some have pointed to the rodent-poo filled cafeteria at the Pennsylvania state capitol as a failure of the free market (as a private firm…
Media
Read More: Capitol Cafeteria Another Rendell Sweetheart ContractRegulation
Of Mice And G-Men
An inspection by the Pennsylvania Agriculture Department found rodent droppings “just about everywhere” in the cafeteria at the Pennsylvania state capitol. The cafeteria, reportedly, also has a severe rodent…
Media
Read More: Of Mice And G-MenRegulation
Private Funding for Historical Sites
The historical site of Washington’s Crossing saw a cut in taxpayer subsidies this year, and some forecast doom and gloom for history. Instead, Lockheed Martin and other private donors…
Media
Read More: Private Funding for Historical SitesRegulation
PA Stores to Get Wine Vending Machines that Check ID
The Patriot News has a story that about 100 Pennsylvania stores will get wine kiosks, and the machines will check drivers licenses, give a breathalyzer, and accept payments. The…
Media
Read More: PA Stores to Get Wine Vending Machines that Check IDRegulation
PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork Projects
Mario Cattabiani writes in the the Philadelphia Inquirer about all the pet projects funded in the table games bill. He writes: It parcels out the local share in…
Media
Read More: PA Lawmakers Need Table Games to Fund Pork ProjectsRegulation
Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board Employees
As table game legislation inches towards final approval another reason to doubt the integrity and fiscal responsibility of the PA Gaming Control board has come to light. The Gaming Control…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board EmployeesRegulation
PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New Borrowing
While the debate over table games continues, another piece of legislation passed with little debate was the $1.7 billion in borrowing for the state capital budget. HB…
Media
Read More: PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New BorrowingRegulation
Pennsylvania Pension Resources
Commonwealth Foundation senior fellow Rick Dreyfuss will be on PCN’s call in show tonight, discussing the looming fiscal crisis in state pension. Click here for a recent news…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pension ResourcesEnergy
Five Threats to Pennsylvania’s Prosperity
Pennsylvania has long been one of the most economically stagnant states in the nation. For the period 1991-2008, the Commonwealth ranked 45th in job growth, 46th in personal income growth,…
Commentary
Read More: Five Threats to Pennsylvania’s ProsperityRegulation
Earmarks in Table Games Bill
I mentioned previously that the legislation authorizing table games at Pennsylvania casinos included a number of earmarks (directing funds to a specific project) and WAMs (creating a pot of money…
Media
Read More: Earmarks in Table Games BillRegulation
Pennsylvania Pension Managers Note Looming Crisis
The Post-Gazette features an article on the upcoming cost increases to Pennsylvania school districts and the state for pensions in the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS). The article…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Pension Managers Note Looming CrisisRegulation
Legislators Wambling with PA Table Games
After reportedly taking “WAMs” out of the state budget, it appears Pennsylvania lawmakers are may create a new pot of funds for WAMs in the table games bill – i.e.
Media
Read More: Legislators Wambling with PA Table GamesRegulation
Outward Bound – Taxes Driving People Out Of Pennsylvania
Between 2000 and 2008, Pennsylvania suffered the depletion of one of its most valuable resources - people. During this period, the state lost 56,000 net residents, according to U.S. Census…
Commentary
Read More: Outward Bound – Taxes Driving People Out Of PennsylvaniaRegulation
An Ethnic Taste of Corporate Welfare
The benevolent Department of Community and Economic Development most recently bestowed its generosity on the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Pennsylvania by awarding it $20,000. This money will…
Media
Read More: An Ethnic Taste of Corporate WelfareRegulation
Is the Harley Handout Constitutional?
Governor Ed Rendell just announced $15.4 million in economic development assistance to renovate its York County factory and train workers. $14 million of the $15.4 million comes from Capital…
Media
Read More: Is the Harley Handout Constitutional?Regulation
SEPTA is Financially Sound?!
In a letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEPTA general manager Joe Casey challenges our commentary in which we called for SEPTA to competitively contract routes…
Media
Read More: SEPTA is Financially Sound?!Public Union Democracy
Update: Harley’s Union “Compromises”
Harley’s heavily unionized employees came to a “compromise” through a new contract that will likely keep the company in Pennsylvania. Union leaders said, although they are not satisfied with this…
Media
Read More: Update: Harley’s Union “Compromises”Education
Pittsburgh Tuition Tax Podcast
Elizabeth Bryan and I discuss the proposed tuition tax in Pittsburgh in a podcast. Joining us for part of the conversation is Aaron Gross, a student…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh Tuition Tax Podcast