Prosperity
Time for Shapiro to Ditch Corporate Welfare and Cut Red Tape
Originally published at The Philadelphia Citizen For two years, Gov. Josh Shapiro has talked about the need for government to “move at the speed of business.” Though…
Read More: Time for Shapiro to Ditch Corporate Welfare and Cut Red TapePennsylvania’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.
Education
Referendum exemption is blackmail
From the York Dispatch… Thumbs Down to Rep. Stan Saylor’s proposal to amend property tax reform legislation to an extent that renders taxpayer approval impotent when it comes to increases…
Media
Read More: Referendum exemption is blackmailPublic Union Democracy
The best of the best, of course
The Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System and the Public School Retirement System are the envy of the government worker world. They are the most generous systems in the entire country.
Media
Read More: The best of the best, of courseRegulation
Go to HBG to do good, but end up doing well, very well
The retirement of many long-time legislators is opening up the eyes of many to the very generous pensions. See The Citizens Voice story by Michael Race, Stepping out to…
Media
Read More: Go to HBG to do good, but end up doing well, very wellRegulation
More Corporate Welfare
Here is a good piece by the Allegheny Institute on the $50 million dollars of corporate welfare granted by state and local government to PNC for construction of…
Media
Read More: More Corporate WelfareRegulation
The Looming Financial Crisis — Public Sector Pensions
Whether it is pensions for state workers, teachers or legislators, the financial promises made by politicians have put taxpayers on the hook. How much? Well, don’t ask the people who…
Media
Read More: The Looming Financial Crisis — Public Sector PensionsRegulation
Public Pensions: The Coming Financial Crisis in PA
While Pennsylvanians were up in arms over the pay raise, the ongoing public-sector pension scandal and coming financial crisis should make taxpayers even more irate. The promise of defined benefits…
Media
Read More: Public Pensions: The Coming Financial Crisis in PARegulation
Corporate “wealthfare” is happening all around us
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial, The PNC rip-off: False renaissance, is just the latest example of taxpayers subsidizing the bottom line of major corporations. Remember the $2 Billion Gov. Rendell…
Media
Read More: Corporate “wealthfare” is happening all around usRegulation
Growing Greener II
While Pennsylvanians obviously want an environmentally safe and economically prosperous state, the $625 million debt plan known as “Growing Greener II” guarantees neither.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Growing Greener IIRegulation
Internet Taxes
A number of bills in the General Assembly represent the essential first step in extending the Commonwealth’s sales tax to out-of-state purchases—including those made over the Internet—through the national initiative…
Fact Sheet
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Telecommunications
The debate over the future of high-tech communications development in Pennsylvania parallels the debate over statewide economic development policy in general: Should state government raise taxes on families and businesses…
Fact Sheet
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“OutFORCING”: Pennsylvania’s Real Job Loss Culprit
There’s been a great deal of political talk this election season about greedy “Benedict Arnold” companies sending jobs overseas. Gov. Ed Rendell even announced that the Commonwealth would look unfavorably…
Commentary
Read More: “OutFORCING”: Pennsylvania’s Real Job Loss CulpritRegulation
A Solution to the Gambling License Giveaway
It's déjà vu all over again. As Governor Rendell continues lobbying the General Assembly to expand gambling, very little attention is paid to the potential giveaway of valuable slot machine…
Commentary
Read More: A Solution to the Gambling License GiveawayRegulation
Pennsylvanias $2 Billion Corporate Giveaway
Executive Summary Current proposals under consideration in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would grant limited gambling licenses to horse racetracks across the Commonwealth in an attempt to bolster the struggling industry.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvanias $2 Billion Corporate GiveawayRegulation
Betting On Gambling: Potential Costs and Consequences for Pennsylvania
Executive Summary …
Fact Sheet
Read More: Betting On Gambling: Potential Costs and Consequences for PennsylvaniaRegulation
The Economic Impacts of Introducing Slot Machines at Racetracks in Pennsylvania: A Review of the Penn State Harrisburg Study
Purpose …
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Economic Impacts of Introducing Slot Machines at Racetracks in Pennsylvania: A Review of the Penn State Harrisburg StudyPublic Union Democracy
Pennsylvania Businesses Can Now Spend Less Time In The Courtroom
By their very nature, businesspeople are willing to take significant risks to compete in the marketplace. Indeed, every day the profit motive compels people to invest their life savings in…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Businesses Can Now Spend Less Time In The Courtroom