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.
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 PodcastRegulation
Failing to Learn from Past Gambles
The Patriot New ran in an article on property tax “relief” the day after Thanksgiving, giving homeowners a reason not to be thankful. The governor’s dream to make…
Media
Read More: Failing to Learn from Past GamblesEducation
Taxing Tuition: The Future of Higher Education?
With Pittsburgh on the brink of bankruptcy thanks to its continual out-of-control spending, Mayor Ravenstahl and his allies on City Council have hatched a new scheme to collect more money…
Commentary
Read More: Taxing Tuition: The Future of Higher Education?Regulation
Pennsylvania Pensions and Taxes
Pennsylvania's statewide pension plans for public school employees, state workers, legislators, judges and other government employees - the Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employee Retirement System…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Pensions and TaxesPublic Union Democracy
Legal Plunder At Its Worst
Let’s see how many dirty political games you can fit into one case – from union thuggery to corporate welfare, to rent-seeking to holding taxpayers and employees hostage – the…
Media
Read More: Legal Plunder At Its WorstPublic Union Democracy
State Tax Trends
ATR has a new report on state tax trends. In addition to a roundup of state tax changes, the new report highlights trends with policy implications. While we pointed…
Media
Read More: State Tax TrendsRegulation
Bamboozled: Why Government-Run Liquor Stores are Socially and Economically Impractical
Ever since Pennsylvania seized control of wine and liquor in 1932, advocates of state-run liquor stores have touted the supposed social benefits. However, recent research clearly demonstrates that privatization would…
Commentary
Read More: Bamboozled: Why Government-Run Liquor Stores are Socially and Economically ImpracticalGovernment Accountability
Will State Lawmakers Take a Pay Cut?
As many readers will be aware, Pennsylvania lawmakers, judges, and executive branch officials receive an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), using the CPI for Philadelphia as the measure for inflation. What…
Media
Read More: Will State Lawmakers Take a Pay Cut?Regulation
Corporate Welfare Goes Green
The solar industry, teamed with congress, is trying to get the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act passed. This act creates a 30% tax credit for solar manufactures and makes…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Goes GreenRegulation
PA Should Heed Europe’s Experience with Renewables
Last month the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released Pennsylvania’s Climate Change Action plan. While touting the creation of “green jobs”, it did not advocate increasing PA’s…
Media
Read More: PA Should Heed Europe’s Experience with RenewablesRegulation
Gambling – The Savior to PA’s Fiscal Problems?
Any prudent individual would not plan on gambling winnings to become prosperous or even to get out of debt. But the state of Pennsylvania, turns to gambling to resolve all…
Media
Read More: Gambling – The Savior to PA’s Fiscal Problems?Education
Privatizing School Bus Drivers
In last Tuesday’s race for Central Dauphin school board candidates clashed over the privatization of the district’s busing. The pro-privatization candidate- Chris Judd narrowly won, but that hasn’t silenced the…
Media
Read More: Privatizing School Bus DriversRegulation
Worst Idea for Fixing State Pensions
Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord told the Pocono Record that now is the time to address the state pension crisis, rather than later, a point the Commonwealth Foundation agrees…
Media
Read More: Worst Idea for Fixing State PensionsRegulation
Newspapers Endorse Pennsylvania Liquor Store Privatization
Following our report showing that moving from state-run liquor stores to licensure has little impact on alcohol consumption, underage drinking, and DUI rates, Pennsylvania papers are again joining the…
Media
Read More: Newspapers Endorse Pennsylvania Liquor Store PrivatizationRegulation
PA Homeowners Come Second To Horse Racing Industry
The Pennsylvania Legislature’s willingness to succumb to special interests has been well documented by the Commonwealth Foundation, but the amount of attention given to the horse racing industry is…
Media
Read More: PA Homeowners Come Second To Horse Racing IndustryRegulation
Rendell Teaches Obama How to Create Phony Jobs
A report released on Friday by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services shows 7,400 jobs have been either created or retained(Capitolwire Subscription) in Pennsylvania using federal stimulus dollars. Jim…
Media
Read More: Rendell Teaches Obama How to Create Phony JobsCriminal Justice Reform
Mandatory Minimum Sentences Increase Costs
A study by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing found that mandatory minimum sentences increase the cost of the corrections system without decreasing crime. Corrections costs are already a major…
Media
Read More: Mandatory Minimum Sentences Increase CostsRegulation
Government-Run Liquor Stores: The Social Impact of Privatization
Evidence from 48 states over time shows no link between market controls and these social goals. Divestiture of Pennsylvania's state liquor stores would represent a financial windfall to the state,…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Government-Run Liquor Stores: The Social Impact of PrivatizationRegulation
$80 Million from Stimulus for Norfolk Southern Freight Rail in PA
With only 25% of the $787 billion dollar federal stimulus package spent thus far, the remaining $593 billion has many states coming to the table for a piece of…
Media
Read More: $80 Million from Stimulus for Norfolk Southern Freight Rail in PARegulation
Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket
If you missed our RE Harper Economic Forums on pensions, here is an online version of Rick Dreyfuss’s presentation. You should also check out related articles on “…
Media
Read More: Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will SkyrocketRegulation
Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net Neutrality
Gov. Rendell recently submitted a Letter to the FCC expressing concerns with proposed Internet regulation known as “Net Neutrality.” This was part of the…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net Neutrality