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
Should PA taxpayers be subsidizing Hollywood?
Lowman Henry weighs in on the $5.7 million tax credit awarded by Pennsylvania taxpayers to the raunchy comedy, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Henry thinks…
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Read More: Should PA taxpayers be subsidizing Hollywood?Regulation
No Smoking Sign Mandate
Little noticed in the debate over Pennsylvania’s new smoking ban was that it also included a smoking sign mandate. The Commonwealth Foundation got our notice (along with a…
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Read More: No Smoking Sign MandateRegulation
Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensing
“Joe the Plumber” has made lots of headlines – since he put the screws to Barack Obama about how Obama’s tax increases might affect him – but this…
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Read More: Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensingRegulation
Zack and Miri Take a Fortune
The City of Philadelphia has refused to allow posters for Zack and Miri Make a Porno on bus stops because they are deemed too seedy. (Hat Tip to…
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Read More: Zack and Miri Take a FortuneRegulation
Leasing Toll Roads, Airports, and Parking
There are several stories on privatization in the news lately on a number of fronts. First up is in the real value of toll roads – which should be read…
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Read More: Leasing Toll Roads, Airports, and ParkingRegulation
Convention Center no economic savior
Post-Gazette looks at the failure of the $373 million Pittsburgh convention center to create an economic boom – or even to outdraw the old convention center (HT: Grassroots…
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Read More: Convention Center no economic saviorRegulation
Financial “crisis” a failure of government
While some pundits and media, such as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, point to the proposed bailout as demonstration of the failure of the free market, in fact it is a…
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Read More: Financial “crisis” a failure of governmentGovernment Accountability
Bonus Ban(s) pass House State Government
After numerous complaints about the lack of action on reform bills (including from yours truly) the House State Government committee today voted to send two “bonus ban” bills…
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Read More: Bonus Ban(s) pass House State GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Discharge resolution on bonus ban bill
Representative Brad Roae sends us this regarding his discharge resolution for SB 986, the “Bonus Ban” “On Monday I turned in a Discharge Resolution to pull the bill…
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Read More: Discharge resolution on bonus ban billPublic Union Democracy
AFSCME opposes unlimited government?!?
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (which runs 14 state universities, but not the “state-related” schools like Penn State and Pitt), banned all smoking on campus, both indoor and…
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Read More: AFSCME opposes unlimited government?!?Regulation
Thank You for (Not) Smoking
Pennsylvania’s smoking ban goes into effect today and has created a cloud of controversy statewide, with a less than enthusiastic response from the smoking public. The Department of Health has…
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Read More: Thank You for (Not) SmokingGovernment Accountability
As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues
Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…
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Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending ContinuesRegulation
Corporate Welfare 101
Philadelphia Inquirer story on how the Lancaster Convention Center project has spun out of control – with dramatic cost increases (from an initial $30 million to over $100 million),…
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Read More: Corporate Welfare 101Government Accountability
BonusGate update and questions
The Democracy Rising PA Newsletter raises some interesting points about a pronouncement by Attorney General Tom Corbett that he wouldn’t make announcements about indictments leading up to Nov.
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Read More: BonusGate update and questionsRegulation
Rendell: “Pennsylvania’s economy is awesome, thanks to me”
Hat Tip to Tony Phryillas for this story I almost missed – Governor Rendell attacked the Allegheny Institute for pointing out that Pennsylvania’s exorbitant economic development spending…
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Read More: Rendell: “Pennsylvania’s economy is awesome, thanks to me”Regulation
Ski for Free!
Well, we doubt you’ll get to ski for free, but you should. Seven Springs Mountain Resort–which lost $220,000 after it took over operations of the Laurael Mountain Ski Area–is poised…
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Phix PHEAA
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner has released his audit of PHEAA, recommending among other things that PHEAA’s board not be dominated by legislators (news release here). Wagner does…
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Read More: Phix PHEAARegulation
Steelers, developer ask state to help subsidize amphitheater
Post-Gazette story on the demand that taxpayers pay $4 million dollars for an amphitheater. (HT GrassrootsPA). The developer notes, “the entertainment complex itself will be a source of…
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Read More: Steelers, developer ask state to help subsidize amphitheaterRegulation
Rendellconomics 101
Morning Call piece piece by Jarrett Renshaw debates the merits of Rendell’s economic policies – borrowing (to be paid by taxpayers) to give handouts to his favorite projects like…
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Read More: Rendellconomics 101Regulation
Bridge To Troubled Waters
Gov. Rendell is still touring the state dolling out taxpayers’ money for various projects across the state totaling $642 million. Much of the funding will assist infrastructure improvements for…
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Read More: Bridge To Troubled WatersRegulation
Gov. Rendell to play rich uncle to Valley
Nice headline for the Morning Call story about Gov. Rendell’s “Card Board Check Tour”. Unfortunately for Pennsylvanians, though, the rich uncle Rendell is pretending to be isn’t reaching into…
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Read More: Gov. Rendell to play rich uncle to Valley