Regulation
Cutting Red Tape in Pennsylvania
This report presents findings from Mercatus Center’s State RegData database, analyzing regulations in the Pennsylvania Code as of 2022. The report provides an overview of state regulations, how Pennsylvania’s regulatory…
Read More: Cutting Red Tape in 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
Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending
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’ spendingRegulation
Pension problem looming
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
Read More: Pension problem loomingRegulation
EDITORIAL | Public servants retire in luxury
Centre Daily Times on how our “servants” have become “masters” at the expense of the public.
Media
Read More: EDITORIAL | Public servants retire in luxuryRegulation
Pinching pennies? Not ousted lawmakers
“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
Read More: Pinching pennies? Not ousted lawmakersRegulation
State gaming official arrested
“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
Read More: State gaming official arrestedRegulation
Pa. lawmakers find retiring pays
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 paysRegulation
Govenment benefits for retirees grow into ‘monster’
An article in today’s USA TODAY points out that future unfunded liabilities for Medicare, Social Security, and govenment employees pensions and retirement benefits have grown to $57.8 trillion. To…
Media
Read More: Govenment benefits for retirees grow into ‘monster’Regulation
Perzel takes up state pension issue
House Speaker Perzel names a panel on state pension and retiree medical benefits to study the issues identified in the Commonwealth Foundation’s Pension Study. Perzel even suggests setting…
Media
Read More: Perzel takes up state pension issueRegulation
VIP perks are history for ousted legislators
Morning Call on what the ousted Senate leaders will be losing as a result of their loss at the ballot box last Tuesday. Don’t worry though, they’ll still be…
Media
Read More: VIP perks are history for ousted legislatorsRegulation
State jobs: Pay, perks make for popular work
Reading Eagle story on government jobs.
Media
Read More: State jobs: Pay, perks make for popular workRegulation
Auction Slots Licenses
The Commonwealth Foundation called for auctioning off the slots licenses in 2003 and 2004, but the gambling proponents decided to “sell” them at a 90% discount rate.
Media
Read More: Auction Slots LicensesRegulation
2001 pension vote could cost billions
The REPUBLICAN & Herald story on the coming crisis.
Media
Read More: 2001 pension vote could cost billionsRegulation
Pension caps would benefit taxpayers
Commonwealth Foundation Senior Fellow Rick Dreyfuss in today’s Patriot-News.
Media
Read More: Pension caps would benefit taxpayersRegulation
Corporate Welfare No Boon for Philadelphia Job Market
Despite receiving large corporate "welfare checks" to spur job growth in manufacturing and technology, the Philadelphia region still lags behind other areas of the Commonwealth in employment. The region has…
Commentary
Read More: Corporate Welfare No Boon for Philadelphia Job MarketRegulation
They could have thought of a better title
The Pittsbuhgh Post-Gazette titled their story, “Use casino revenue for school vouchers, group suggests.” I guess that’s better than “Dirty Gambling Money to Undermine the Separation of Church and…
Media
Read More: They could have thought of a better titleRegulation
“That’s the way the system works”
Alletown Morning Call editorial on the “Quiet bump for legislators’ pensions adds to outrage over 2005 pay-grab“: Of the lawmakers retiring, 17 will see their pension benefit improve because…
Media
Read More: “That’s the way the system works”Regulation
War on Wal-Mart coming to PA
From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Best quote: “Wal-Mart is trying to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.” Those heathens, trying to compete against unionized stores.
Media
Read More: War on Wal-Mart coming to PARegulation
Pay Raise and Pensions Linked
Coverage of the pay raise and pension link from Centre Daily Times, citing Rick Dreyfuss and our pension study.
Media
Read More: Pay Raise and Pensions LinkedRegulation
PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentary
Equal time was given to Tim Allwein of the PA School Boards Association to offer a rebutal to my commentary in last Sunday’s Patriot-News. Fair game. It should…
Media
Read More: PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentaryRegulation
State lawmakers look to boost their pensions
Alison Hawkes in the Herald-Standard on the pension COLA debate. Side-Note: We’re not sure where, when, or why we started being called a “libertarian” think tank (although I think…
Media
Read More: State lawmakers look to boost their pensionsRegulation
Ballooning Pa. pension costs could increase taxes substantially
Excellent story on the looming pension crisis by Alison Hawkes in The Herald-Standard. But Rep. Mark Mustio points out the bigger problem: “It’s not like the system’s going to…
Media
Read More: Ballooning Pa. pension costs could increase taxes substantially