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

Looks like business as usual – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

  • July 9, 2006

Dimitri Vassilaros writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about the effort to defund one of PA’s corporate welfare programs” No doubt many businesses are successful because their close relationships with…

Media

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Regulation

Stop the charade

  • July 9, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on Sen. Jane Orie’s effort to cut some corporate welfare in PA.

Media

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Regulation

Senate acts to cut back a few perks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 7, 2006

As reported in the Patriot News, the state Senate plans to force Senators to contribute to their health care plans (possibly 1% of salary) and reduce the money available…

Media

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Regulation

Want to braid hair? Talk to Big Brother.

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 6, 2006

Despite not having time to address lobbyist reform during the past few weeks, the General Assembly was able to pass a myriad of minor bills, including one (SB 707)…

Media

Read More: Want to braid hair? Talk to Big Brother.

Health Care

$1 Trillion Shock Awaits States, Local Governments

  • June 30, 2006

Joe Mysak asks on Bloomberg.com: “How much is it going to cost states and localities to pay for public employees’ health care and insurance after they retire? “Try between…

Media

Read More: $1 Trillion Shock Awaits States, Local Governments

Regulation

The Merits of a Judicial Pay Raise in Pennsylvania

  • June 30, 2006

On July 7, 2005, a political firestorm was ignited in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the form of a controversial pay raise for legislators, members of the executive branch, and…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Merits of a Judicial Pay Raise in Pennsylvania

Regulation

Senators vs. Pork

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 28, 2006

Not a game between minor league baseball teams, but three State Senators (Jane Orie, R-Allison Park, Pat Vance, R-Silver Spring Twp, and Pat Browne, R-Allentown) trying to Shift Focus…

Media

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Regulation

Oink-oink: Spend, spend, spend

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 26, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on corporate welfare and ‘walking around money’: “Better for Pennsylvanians if their money never ‘walked’ at all.”…

Media

Read More: Oink-oink: Spend, spend, spend

Government Accountability

Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them

  • June 26, 2006

The distance between the rulers and ruled continues to widen in Pennsylvania. For retiring and defeated members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the daily perks and privileges of office…

Commentary

Read More: Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them

Regulation

Reformers should alter pension plan

  • June 25, 2006

In this exclusive Patriot-News commentary, former lawmaker John Kennedy encourages the dozens of future lawmakers (likely 50-60 new faces will be in Harrisburg come January 2007) to eschew the…

Media

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Regulation

Lovely parting gifts

  • June 22, 2006

Lancaster New Era on legislative pensions. Once again demonstrating that “serving the public” doesn’t cost, it PAYS!…

Media

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Regulation

Ousted legislators find silver lining

  • June 18, 2006

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Some lawmakers who lost their jobs in the May primary will collect pensions almost as big as their current salaries. “Powerhouse Republican Sen. Robert Jubelirer,…

Media

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Regulation

New York’s Pension Peril

  • June 9, 2006

E. J. McMahon, the director of the Manhattan Institute’s Empire Center for New York State Policy, writes in the New York Post about NY’s pension problem.

Media

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Regulation

Nice Pensions for Lawmakers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2006

Coverage of lawmakers’ pensions in the Chambersburg Public Opinion and Lebanon Daily News.

Media

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Regulation

Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending

  • June 1, 2006

Public Radio Capitol News on our Piglet Book 2006. Although reporter Damon Baughmer probably doesn’t appreciate the fact that we think his employer (we, the taxpayers) should be funding…

Media

Read More: Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending

Regulation

Pension problem looming

  • May 31, 2006

The Altoona Mirror says “Pennsylvanians need to look past the headlines on legislators because there is a much bigger problem lurking.” We couldn’t agree more!…

Media

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Regulation

Pinching pennies? Not ousted lawmakers

  • May 28, 2006

“Voters probably weren’t thinking about it at the time, but when they ousted Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair, and Senate Majority Leader David “Chip” Brightbill, R-Lebanon, they opened…

Media

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Regulation

State gaming official arrested

  • May 28, 2006

“A state Gaming Control Board investigator arrested outside a South Side bar early Saturday, allegedly after threatening and then trying to run from police, has become the fifth agency employee…

Media

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Regulation

Pa. lawmakers find retiring pays

  • May 28, 2006

Excellent article from the Centre Daily Times on the coming pension crisis. “It’s a train wreck waiting to happen — it’s barreling down the tracks at us,” said Centre…

Media

Read More: Pa. lawmakers find retiring pays