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
$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 NeutralityRegulation
Betting on Table Games to Balance the Budget
Harrisburg lawmakers are waiting on passing funding for “non-preferred” appropriations (e.g. state-related universities like Penn State and Pitt) until legislation to legalize, tax, and set license fees for table games…
Media
Read More: Betting on Table Games to Balance the BudgetRegulation
WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey Rink
Despite the numerous studies concluding subsidized sport arenas provide little to no overall economic benefits to communities – Allentown is getting a minor league hockey rink built with at least …
Media
Read More: WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey RinkPublic Union Democracy
Political Power of Public Sector Unions
The Weekly Standard has a good piece on the growing political power of public sector unions, with a short history lesson, and many of the consequences (e.g.
Media
Read More: Political Power of Public Sector UnionsRegulation
Pensions and Skyrocketing Taxes
Ethan Demme has a good synopsis of the coming crisis in state and local pensions in Pennnsylvania, and why this will drive up taxes, from the RE Harper Economic…
Media
Read More: Pensions and Skyrocketing TaxesRegulation
Punishing the Next Generation: The Rendell Pension Legacy
As the Rendell administration moves inexorably toward its finish line in January 2011, it is reasonable to begin considering the issues awaiting the next governor. Of significant note is Rendell's…
Commentary
Read More: Punishing the Next Generation: The Rendell Pension LegacyRegulation
Washington Post Highlights Pension Crisis
The Washington Post ran an article Sunday on how market losses have put state and local government pension plans seriously in the red. The article makes mention of the…
Media
Read More: Washington Post Highlights Pension CrisisRegulation
More Info on What WAMS are in PA Budget
The news service Capitolwire (subscription) has new information about the debate on WAMs in the budget, including a secret memo – disclaimed by all sides – explaining which…
Media
Read More: More Info on What WAMS are in PA BudgetRegulation
An Honest Debate About State Spending
Throughout the budget process, Rendell has used this same tactic, called a "Washington Monument" ploy. From claiming education would be set back decades, to asserting state police would have to…
Commentary
Read More: An Honest Debate About State SpendingRegulation
Arnold Kling’s Diagnosis of the Financial Crisis
In his paper titled NOT WHAT THEY HAD IN MIND: A History of Policies that Produced the Financial Crisis of 2008, Arnold Kling provides historical context and analysis to…
Media
Read More: Arnold Kling’s Diagnosis of the Financial CrisisRegulation
Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer Money
There have been countless examples of failed corporate welfare under Governor Rendell, and Governor Ridge before him. The latest example coming from Lebanon, PA: Lebanon Daily News, August 14,…
Media
Read More: Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer MoneyRegulation
Hanger’s Flawed Defense of HB 80
Pennsylvania DEP Secretary John Hanger has an absurd editorial defending House Bill 80. His op-ed blatantly ignores the cost that the regulations in House Bill 80 would place…
Media
Read More: Hanger’s Flawed Defense of HB 80Regulation
Torts, Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s Prosperity
Wrongheaded economic development policies and one of the nation's worst labor climates are serious impediments to Pennsylvania's prosperity. As if those obstacles were not enough, the commonwealth also has saddled…
Commentary
Read More: Torts, Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s ProsperityEducation
Will Lawmakers Put Hollywood Before School Children?
Governor Rendell and three legislative caucuses are kicking low-income children out of their classrooms to fund handout to Big Hollywood studios. This is beyond bad policy – it’s blatant…
Media
Read More: Will Lawmakers Put Hollywood Before School Children?Regulation
Hockey Arenas Do Not Revitalize Cities
After faltering on there “no new taxes pledge“ Senate…
Media
Read More: Hockey Arenas Do Not Revitalize CitiesRegulation
PA Senate Votes to Raise Taxes Now and In the Future
The Pennsylvania Senate this afternoon gave their approval to the municipal pension “reform” bill, even after the House stripped out almost all of the weak reforms. The legislation was…
Media
Read More: PA Senate Votes to Raise Taxes Now and In the FutureRegulation
Smoking Ban Puts Damper on PA Taverns
A recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlights the burden the statewide smoking ban has on Pennsylvania bars and taverns. According to the Pennsylvania Tavern Association, there were…
Media
Read More: Smoking Ban Puts Damper on PA TavernsRegulation
If You Don’t Like Pork, Don’t Vote for It
State Rep. James Casorio issued a news release today criticizing a taxpayer-funded loan to what he terms a “puppy mill”. The loan came from the Renewable Energy Program of…
Media
Read More: If You Don’t Like Pork, Don’t Vote for ItRegulation
Constitutionality of PA Dog Law Upheld
A federal court ruled last week that Pennsylvania’s new “dog law”, enacted last year does not violated Constitutional protections against unwarranted search and seizure: U.S. District Judge Sylvia…
Media
Read More: Constitutionality of PA Dog Law Upheld