Pennsylvania’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

Legislator maps bill for privatization

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2006

State Rep. Geist is set to introduce a bill which would allow for public-private partnerships in transportation, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, see this Patriot News article. This bill would…

Media

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Regulation

A $2-Trillion Fiscal Hole

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2006

Wall Street Journal article estimates the unfunded liabilities of state and local government’s retiree health care plans to be $1.4 trillion, about double the unfunded pension liabilities of $700…

Media

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Regulation

Hershey changes pensions to cut costs

  • October 10, 2006

While the Hershey Company continues to make defined-benefit pension reforms to remain competitive, we’ve got a union-backed group in Harrisburg lobbying for HIGHER defined-benefit pension costs on taxapyers.

Media

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Regulation

EDITORIAL | Taxpayers lose in Pa. pension gamble

  • October 10, 2006

We hate to have to say “We told you so.” So we won’t. But we’ll let the Chambersburg Public Opinion do it. 🙂 “The stock market was strong back…

Media

Read More: EDITORIAL | Taxpayers lose in Pa. pension gamble

Regulation

Getting mileage out of perks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

Brad Bumsted and Debra Erdley in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the excesses in PA House perks. Turns out that Mike Veon, Democratic Whip from Beaver Falls, collects more in…

Media

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Regulation

Pension Reform

  • October 6, 2006

Taxpayer contributions to Pennsylvania state and school employee’s retirement plans are expected to escalate dramatically beginning in 2011-12. Retiree healthcare will also place enormous burdens on future taxpayers. Specific actions…

Fact Sheet

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Regulation

Getting Out of the Pension Dilemma

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • October 4, 2006

(Editors Note: This Commentary was originally published on March 8, 2006) Pennsylvania’s public employee pension plans are facing a looming financial crisis. Regardless of how one looks at the current…

Commentary

Read More: Getting Out of the Pension Dilemma

Regulation

A roll of the dice

  • October 3, 2006

Northeast PA Business Journal looks at the potential impact of slot machines in PA. “The only real economic impact is if you draw people from outside your region,” says…

Media

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Regulation

For Sale: Harrisburg Senators (No, Not Those Senators)

  • October 1, 2006

In Pennsylvania and across the United States, taxpayers don't need to look very hard to find examples of wasteful, unconstitutional, or just plain wrongheaded government spending decisions.  One of the…

Commentary

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Regulation

Big business loves government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 27, 2006

John Stossel column on Townhall.com about the all-too-frequent collusion between big business and big government – from corporate welfare handouts to regulation of competition.

Media

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Regulation

PA Pension Plans Underfunded

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 26, 2006

Pennsylvania’s public pension plans are facing a potential crisis, according to a Report from the State Auditor. According to the Auditor General: “The General Assembly and the governor should…

Media

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Regulation

The worst bet you can make

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2006

MSN Money article comparing state lotteries to each other and to other gambling ventures. You’re best bets are “skill games” like poker and blackjack, roulette and slots tend to…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pay Raise is Back

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 14, 2006

The Patriot News reports that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reinstated last July’s pay raise, for judges–a ruling which raises the pay of the Supreme Court Justices. The ruling also…

Media

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Regulation

Hair Braiding Drama

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 6, 2006

Patriot News article on the fear of unlicensed hair-braiders vs. the danger in regulatory professions (though they emphasize the former). Read Stephen Albert’s commentary on the burdens of…

Media

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Regulation

Fines for Sex without a License

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 29, 2006

Legislation proposed by State Rep. Keith McCall would require prospective massage therapists to take 600 hours of classroom training, have instruction in CPR and HIV, pass an exam, and…

Media

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Regulation

Pa. bureaucracy pursues a love of licensing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 29, 2006

Read Commonwealth Foundation intern Stephen Albert’s commentary on the regulation of economic freedom in today’s York Dispatch.

Media

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