Regulation
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.
Public 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 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 Legacy