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
Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)
The lobbyist group Triad Strategies has a new blog focusing on Pennsylvania policy and politics, which features a recent post by George Wolff that calls for taxpayers to…
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Read More: Agriculture: Pennsylvania’s #1 Industry (in Lobbying)Regulation
Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania Government
Gov. Rendell once again touted the reduction in and relatively-low number of state government employees. But as we noted last year, the “state complement” includes only about half of…
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PSEA Complicit in Pension Debacle
The PSEA has a ridiculous new video calling on members to demand state lawmakers “keep their promise” on pension plans – essentially saying “don’t reform the system at all,”…
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Read More: PSEA Complicit in Pension DebacleRegulation
(Michael) Moore Movie Subsidies
Michael Moore’s latest film, Capitalism: A Love Story – which bashes taxpayer bailouts of big Wall Street companies – was itself the recipient of taxpayer subsidies from the state of…
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New Virginia Governor Pushing Liquor Store Privatization
Reason TV has a new video on liquor store privatization in Virginia, which highlights the benefits for consumers, and notes that states that privatize both save money and increase…
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Read More: New Virginia Governor Pushing Liquor Store PrivatizationRegulation
“Net Neutrality” Threatens Internet Innovation
Recently, The Commonwealth Foundation joined the Internet Freedom Coalition, a coalition of organizations standing against “network neutrality” initiatives. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a new plan that…
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Read More: “Net Neutrality” Threatens Internet InnovationRegulation
Pennsylvanians Heavy Laden With State Debt
A recent report from Forbes finds that Pennsylvania faces a serious challenge with state government debt. Pennsylvania ranked 35 among all states in the Forbes debt rating. According to…
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Read More: Pennsylvanians Heavy Laden With State DebtRegulation
Two Thumbs Down for Film Tax Credits
The Tax Foundation released a report on movie production incentives (MPIs), such as film tax tax credits and film grants (full report here). Forty-four states offer some sort…
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Read More: Two Thumbs Down for Film Tax CreditsRegulation
Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating Jobs
A study by Good Jobs First indicates that Pennsylvania’s tax incentives for high-tech companies has not been able to attract investment from other states. A net 43 high-tech companies…
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Read More: Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating JobsRegulation
Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad Ideas
Pennsylvania Governor Candidate Dan Onorato outlined his economic development proposals yesterday. He has some good ideas in there, but a lot of the…
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Read More: Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad IdeasRegulation
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…
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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”.
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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…
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Read More: Deal on Pennsylvania Table Games Appears DoneRegulation
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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