State Budget
Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax Reform
Originally published by RealClearPennsylvania. Today is Tax Day. Each year, April 15th reminds us of the costliness of government spending – and why lawmakers must reduce this financial burden on…
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax ReformHigh 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.
Government Accountability
Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy Lobby
Colorado residents are fighting back against the powerful renewable energy lobby via ballot initiative. The Western Tradition Partnership, a grassroots citizens group, said they would attack the renewables…
Media
Read More: Fighting the Powerful Renewable Energy LobbyRegulation
Another Film Tax Credit Report Ignores Economics
In its analysis of Pennsylvania’s motion picture and television industry the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board pins down the creation of jobs and increased wages in the film industry…
Media
Read More: Another Film Tax Credit Report Ignores EconomicsHealth Care
Health Care Reform: “Change” Is Not Necessarily Good
Economist Bill Dunkelberg gives his criticism of the health care bill signed this past week. Dr. Dunkelberg will keynote the upcoming RE Harper Economic Forums – April 26…
Media
Read More: Health Care Reform: “Change” Is Not Necessarily GoodTaxes & Economy
What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?
Recently, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics requested comments on how it should try to measure “green jobs.” Here are the comments I offered: I am writing in…
Media
Read More: What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?Taxes & Economy
Podcast: Obese City Governments Seek Soda Tax
Following humbly in the footsteps of Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter, mayor Luke Ravensthal of Pittsburgh is proposing a soda tax. Justin Higginbottom from the Tax Foundation,…
Media
Read More: Podcast: Obese City Governments Seek Soda TaxGovernment Accountability
Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff
In a Democratic response to Attorney General Tom Corbett’s decision to join 13 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Obama health care legislation, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans…
Media
Read More: Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in TiffHealth Care
Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health Insurance
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is pushing legislation that would allow residents of the Peach State to purchase insurance across state lines, unilaterally giving residents permission to buy coverage approved…
Media
Read More: Georgia Pushing Interstate Competition in Health InsuranceTaxes & Economy
Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?
Three Pennsylvania pro-tax, pro-government subsidy of special interest groups issued a statement calling for state taxes on natural gas extraction and on cigars and smokeless tobacco. There statements suggest…
Media
Read More: Do These Guys Know What a “Tax Break” Is?Health Care
Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are Idiots
Commenting about Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett joining AGs in 10 other states in a lawsuit against the federal health care bill, Gov. Rendell had this to say…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Implies Attorneys Generals are IdiotsGovernment Accountability
Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger Health
Like previous deals given to Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska) and Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Speaker Pelosi and President Obama offered reluctant House Democrats more favors in exchange for their support…
Media
Read More: Kanjorski Gets Sweetheart Deal for Geisinger HealthEnergy
Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea
In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…
Commentary
Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad IdeaTaxes & Economy
Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic Stagnation
As more natural gas wells are drilled, environmental groups, and now lawmakers, are decrying the technology as unsafe or responsible for contamination. Even the EPA announced it is conducting…
Media
Read More: Environmental Protection Need Not Cause Economic StagnationHealth Care
Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?
Ronald Reagan once said, “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” Last night’s vote on health care reform was heralded by supporter as a “historic vote” which will…
Media
Read More: Will the Health Care Bill Hold Up?Health Care
Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?
Eric Telford (Twitter handle JoeTaxpayer) has started to round up Congressmen who change their health care vote after getting big grants for their districts: …
Media
Read More: Who Got Bribed on Health Care Vote?Taxes & Economy
Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?
The Economist has a story on the city of Harrisburg’s fiscal mess, which has been years in the making. Thanks to an irresponsible city council, Harrisburg is still…
Media
Read More: Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?Regulation
Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette Tax
According to a recent op-ed by Marc Kilmer of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, a 2007 cigarette tax is having an adverse effect on the Free State’s economy. While…
Media
Read More: Maryland Smokers Border-Hopping to Avoid Cigarette TaxHealth Care
Five Questions to Ask Your Congressman About Health Care Reform
The US House of Representatives is preparing to vote on health care legislation, or rather to vote to “deem” that the Senate health care bill, which has not passed the…
Media
Read More: Five Questions to Ask Your Congressman About Health Care ReformState Budget
More Opposition to Rendell’s Sales Tax Expansion
The Post-Gazette sums up additional opposition to Gov. Rendell’s proposed expansion of the sales tax – this time from the computer services industry. The article also notes how Gov.
Media
Read More: More Opposition to Rendell’s Sales Tax ExpansionTaxes & Economy
Gas Bags Scare Off Gas Investor
In an interview with CNBC, Larry Nichols, CEO of the highly-successful Devon Energy, claimed his company will not be seeking a share of the Marcellus Shale gas reserves anytime…
Media
Read More: Gas Bags Scare Off Gas InvestorEducation
The Green Schools Ruse
Yesterday the House passed Rep. Drucker’s bill to exclude any costs associated with making a school building LEED certified from a possible…
Media
Read More: The Green Schools RuseGovernment Accountability
When Will These Guys Learn?
Pennsylvania Independent reports on two PA House contracts for voter lists, costing taxpayers over $225,000. Readers will recognize that this sounds quite a bit like the actions of former…
Media
Read More: When Will These Guys Learn?