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
More Outrage at Pension COLA
Tony Phyrillas has added to the number of voices noting that the proposed Pension COLA means higher property taxes.
Media
Read More: More Outrage at Pension COLARegulation
Big Business Loves Big Government
Michael G. Franc in NRO Online analyzes a seemingly suprising fundraising advantage by Democratic candidates among corporate CEOs – surprising given that Democrats continue to call for higher taxes,…
Media
Read More: Big Business Loves Big GovernmentRegulation
Gaming Control Board screw-ups continue
A number of PA House Republicans are calling for PA AG Tom Corbett to investigate the Gaming Control Board (as if he didn’t already have enough government officials…
Media
Read More: Gaming Control Board screw-ups continueRegulation
Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny State
Here is an interesting read on the science of smoking and smoking bans, with plenty of additional resources listed in the end, written by Joe Jackson (yes, that…
Media
Read More: Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny StateRegulation
Leasing HBG Parking Garages
Patriot News reports on the Harrisburg Parking Authority’s 3-2 vote last night to contract with a private company to lease nine city parking garages, two public lots and 1,200…
Media
Read More: Leasing HBG Parking GaragesRegulation
Harrisburg mayor proposing outsourcing parking
Patriot News reports that Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed proposing leasing operations of the city’s parking garages and meters to private operators. The deal would fetch $215 million for a…
Media
Read More: Harrisburg mayor proposing outsourcing parkingRegulation
Pension COLA has hefty price tag
Charles Thompson has a story in the Patriot News about the high cost to taxpayers of the propose pension COLA. The Tribune Review also had an article last…
Media
Read More: Pension COLA has hefty price tagRegulation
House Committee Votes to Increase Pensions/Property Taxes
The House State Government Committee passed a Pension COLA bill – AP Story here – which would require a dramatic increase in spending (on top of the expected higher…
Media
Read More: House Committee Votes to Increase Pensions/Property TaxesRegulation
Two opportunities to shrink state government
Williamsport SunGazette on the deliver on the promise of smaller government by privatizing the Turnpike Commmission and the Liquor Control Board. Also read Matt Brouillette’s commentary on those…
Media
Read More: Two opportunities to shrink state governmentRegulation
Smoke Freedom Day II
CBS 21 has a video of “Smoke Freedom Day” protest in Harrisburg. That’s me in the video, absorbing second-hand smoke to make a political statement, like Sam Adams.
Media
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Benevolence of the Trucker
Land Line Magazine’s coverage of the Public-Private Partnership (P3) forum that I moderated on Monday ran with the headline, “Panelists say profit motivates infrastructure investment.” (As an aside,…
Media
Read More: Benevolence of the TruckerGovernment Accountability
Philadelphia Parking Authority to face scrutiny
One the most wasteful, patronage-ridden, and shady government entities – the Philadelphia Parking Authority – will face investigation into its practices, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Like many other agencies…
Media
Read More: Philadelphia Parking Authority to face scrutinyRegulation
Stimulating the Pennsylvania Economy
Here is video from yesterday’s luncheon on “Stimulating PA’s Economy: Tax Cuts v. ‘Rebates'”. Click here for more videos from the Commonwealth Foundation.
Media
Read More: Stimulating the Pennsylvania EconomyRegulation
Smoke Freedom Day
WHP CBS 21 has a story on a quasi-protest of the looming smoking ban. Watch Ryan Shafik go all V for Vendetta on legislators, though his reasoned explanation…
Media
Read More: Smoke Freedom DayRegulation
PUC goes after Amish transport
The Pennsylvania Utility Commission is cracking down on individuals giving rides to the Amish, read the Lancaster Online story and the WGAL story. The Post-Gazette also covered…
Media
Read More: PUC goes after Amish transportRegulation
Economic Impacts of the Climate Change Bill
A new study by the Science Applications International Corporation and sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Council for Capital Formation looks at the economic impacts…
Media
Read More: Economic Impacts of the Climate Change BillRegulation
Smoking Bans Redux
Brad Vasoli in the Evening Bulletin has an article on the proposed state smoking ban, featuring comments from yours truly (a non-smoker). Here is more information on smoking bans…
Media
Read More: Smoking Bans ReduxRegulation
Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2008
State government consumption and spending of taxpayer money has grown rapidly over the years. Since 1970, Pennsylvania’s operating budget increased from $4.2 billion to $59 billion in FY 2007-2008, an…
Report
Read More: Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2008Regulation
Mutually Exclusive: Pension COLAS and Lower Taxes
In Government 101, we learn how a bill becomes law and the circuitous route that, at any stage of the political process, may derail a proposal. In fact, only 6.3%…
Commentary
Read More: Mutually Exclusive: Pension COLAS and Lower TaxesRegulation
How government makes things worse
Boston Globe piece by Jeff Jacoby covers the “Law of Unintended Consequences” of government intervention. Jacoby takes on government mandates and subsidies for ethanol: But now comes word…
Media
Read More: How government makes things worseRegulation
Union wants pension backing for roads
Financial Times article on public sector unions pushing for public pension funds to invest in roads and other infrastructure. Of course, as noted, many public pension funds (the California…
Media
Read More: Union wants pension backing for roads