Prosperity
New Year, New Taxes in Pennsylvania
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The new year is always a great opportunity to shed vices like smoking and binge eating. For state and local lawmakers, their guilty pleasure tends…
Read More: New Year, New Taxes in PennsylvaniaHigh taxes make for a slow-growing economy. And communities feel the pinch of high taxes as more and more native Pennsylvanians leave the Keystone State to prosper elsewhere. To remain economically competitive, Pennsylvania must lower state taxes and ensure businesses have the opportunity to succeed. Lower taxes will incentivize more individuals to call Pennsylvania their home, ultimately spurring our statewide economy forward.
Taxes & Economy
An Arizona-like Immigration Law for PA?
Following Arizona’s recent enactment of a law intended to enforce federal illegal immigration laws, Pennsylvania State Representative Daryl Metcalfe has introduced similar legislation. The law would force employers…
Media
Read More: An Arizona-like Immigration Law for PA?Public Union Democracy
State & Local Fiscal Reforms
Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute recently presented a paper to the Federal Reserve of St. Louis on state and local government fiscal reforms. Edward’s four main themes were:…
Media
Read More: State & Local Fiscal ReformsState Budget
Help Stop a Tax Increase in Pennsylvania
Citizens Against Government Waste has a new action alert about proposed tax hikes in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania already has the highest Corporate Net Income Tax rate in the world,…
Media
Read More: Help Stop a Tax Increase in PennsylvaniaHealth Care
PA Senate Passes High Risk Pool Legislation
The Pennsylvania Senate on Monday passed Sen. Mike Folmer’s high risk pool legislation. The bill, SB 507, would create a pool for insurance companies to provide coverage to…
Media
Read More: PA Senate Passes High Risk Pool LegislationRegulation
Taxing Wind?
Here is one tax proposal I am stunned Gov. Rendell has yet to copy – Wyoming Governor Freudenthal has proposed a tax on wind power. Of course, it would…
Media
Read More: Taxing Wind?Taxes & Economy
More Grief for Mann
Virginia attorney general Kenneth Cuccinelli II has filed an exhaustive investigative request with the University of Virginia, seeking records pertaining to research grants obtained by Climategate scientist Michael Mann.
Media
Read More: More Grief for MannTaxes & Economy
Why a Moratorium on Natural Gas Leasing is Unnecessary
Here’s a letter we sent to Rep. Vitali and other government officials regarding a natural gas leasing moratorium. Natural Gas Leasing…
Media
Read More: Why a Moratorium on Natural Gas Leasing is UnnecessaryState Budget
Yes, a Severance Tax Will Discourage Drilling
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently depicted Gov. Rendell as willing to compromise on a natural gas severance tax in Pennsylvania, asking the industry to accept a fair severance tax. In…
Media
Read More: Yes, a Severance Tax Will Discourage DrillingTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan
A macroeconomic study of Pennsylvania's Climate Action Plan, released earlier this month, promises impressive cost savings and job creation for the state, but the report was produced by a global…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate PlanState Budget
Big Brother Want Your Back Taxes
Pennsylvania’s latest Orwellian tax amnesty ad – with “We Know Who You Are” – has been making the rounds. Reason, Cato Institute, and Grassroots PA all blog…
Media
Read More: Big Brother Want Your Back TaxesState Budget
Rendell vs. Rendell on New Taxes
Here is a quote from Gov. Rendell, from way back in February in his budget address, discussing the new taxes he was proposing: I want to be crystal clear…
Media
Read More: Rendell vs. Rendell on New TaxesTaxes & Economy
Climate Change “Deniers” Protest in Pittsburgh
Yesterday, PennFuture welcomed Dr. Mann to Pittsburgh as part of the Experts and Heroes conference. As attendees munched on hummus and pita chips some “deniers” protested outside with…
Media
Read More: Climate Change “Deniers” Protest in PittsburghTaxes & Economy
Transportation Special Session Survival Guide
Gov. Rendell has called a special session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to discuss transportation funding. Here are some resources on financing and managing Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Transportation Special Session Survival GuideState Budget
Maybe Gov. Rendell Needs to Listen to Different Advisers
Pennsylvania has a massive state budget hole, and it can be chalked up to one cause – listening to the wrong people. Gov. Rendell put his faith in folks at…
Media
Read More: Maybe Gov. Rendell Needs to Listen to Different AdvisersTaxes & Economy
PennFuture Pal Lets the Truth Out
Katrina Currie’s excellent posts during the last two weeks, which refuted PennFuture’s absurd claims about job creation and cost savings tied to alternative energy, as well…
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Read More: PennFuture Pal Lets the Truth OutHealth Care
Devasting Critique of New Health Care Law
John Goodman offers a fine summary of a devastating critique of ObamaCare, produced by … the Obama Administration: Health care costs will go up, not…
Media
Read More: Devasting Critique of New Health Care LawTaxes & Economy
Natural Gas Taxes Across the States
Gov. Rendell and other advocates for a natural gas severance tax make the claim that Pennsylvania is the only major gas producing state not to impose this tax and therefore…
Media
Read More: Natural Gas Taxes Across the StatesTaxes & Economy
Will Work Sharing Bill Save Jobs?
On Monday, the Pennsylvania House unanimously passed HB 2160, the “work-share” bill. The legislation is designed to encourage employers to reduce employees hours instead of laying off workers.
Media
Read More: Will Work Sharing Bill Save Jobs?Taxes & Economy
PA Needs Infinity Dollars to Repair Roads
The Tribune Review has a story that transportation advocates are now claiming that Pennsylvania needs $3 billion in additional revenue per year just to keep roads and bridges up…
Media
Read More: PA Needs Infinity Dollars to Repair RoadsRegulation
Environmental Victories or Taxpayer Liabilities?
The left leaning group, PennFuture, recently celebrated a number “Environmental Victories,” though Pennsylvania taxpayers have little to celebrate from the new mandates and regulations. Here are some of the things…
Media
Read More: Environmental Victories or Taxpayer Liabilities?Regulation
Numbers Guy: Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products Overblown
The Wall Street Journal’s “Numbers Guy” takes a look at the effects of smokeless tobacco. Many supporters of a tobacco tax use the argument that it would provide public…
Media
Read More: Numbers Guy: Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products Overblown