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.
Taxes & Economy
A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad Policy
Days before Pennsylvanians rang in the New Year, Gov. Rendell signed an agreement that paves the way for one of the most radical (and expensive) changes in Pennsylvania’s energy history.
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Read More: A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is Bad PolicyState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2010
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that through the end of February, state General Fund revenues are $477 million below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2010Taxes & Economy
PPL Proposes Distribution Rate Increase
PPL is hoping to “modestly” increase distribution rates next year. This is the regulated part of your electricity bill which is not subject to competition. There is no word…
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Read More: PPL Proposes Distribution Rate IncreaseTaxes & Economy
New Jersey Has Lessons for PA?
Yes, New Jersey does have lessons for Pennsylvania. Governor Chris Christie proposed a plan to reduce some unemployment benefits. Employers were about to see an increase in their unemployment…
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Read More: New Jersey Has Lessons for PA?Taxes & Economy
Electric Choice Trumps a Rate Cap Phase-in
The York Dispatch reports West Manchester Township is entering into a consortium to hedge against future electricity rate increases as rate caps are set to end for the area…
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“Jobs Saved” Estimates were Pre-Determined
The Congressional Budget Office announced last month that 1.5 million jobs were created or saved by the $862 billion stimulus package, a number many use to claim the stimulus…
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Read More: “Jobs Saved” Estimates were Pre-DeterminedHealth Care
The President’s Empty Health Care Promises
The White House has on its website an article titled, “The President’s Proposal puts American families and small business owners in control of their own health care.” According to…
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Read More: The President’s Empty Health Care PromisesTaxes & Economy
Transportation Industry Misleads on I-80 Tolling
A couple of recent editorials in favor of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plan to toll I-80 – both by transportation industry insiders – gives some misleading info. Peter Javsicas of…
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Read More: Transportation Industry Misleads on I-80 TollingTaxes & Economy
Marcellus Shale Powering Job Growth
TMK-IPSCO, an oil-and-gas pipe maker, recently announced its plan to build a new manufacturing facility roughly 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, just over the Ohio state line. The new…
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Read More: Marcellus Shale Powering Job GrowthState Budget
Tax Foundation Analysis of Rendell’s Tax Proposals
Joe Henchman of the Tax Foundation has put together a Fical Fact looking at Gov. Rendell’s tax increases in the proposed Pennsylvania state budget. Here is the quick overview:…
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Read More: Tax Foundation Analysis of Rendell’s Tax ProposalsTaxes & Economy
NTU Congressional Ratings for Pennsylvania
The National Taxpayers Union released their annual Congressional report card (for votes in 2009). Here are the votes they rated. NTU’s rating is based on “every roll call…
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Debunking the Green Job Myth
US News and World Report has an excellent piece from AEI’s Kenneth Green debunking the green job myth. Government can create jobs: Green explains how governments cannot create…
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Pennsylvania Bottom-of-the Pack in State Competitiveness
A recent report by the Beacon Hill Institute, a free-market think-tank out of Suffolk University in Massachusetts, provided even more dismal news on Pennsylvania’s economic climate. According to the…
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Read More: Pennsylvania Bottom-of-the Pack in State CompetitivenessTaxes & Economy
How Do Pennsylvania’s Highways Rank
The Reason Foundation has been analyzing state highway systems since 1984. This month they released their 18th Annual Highway Report. Overall the Commonwealth ranked 38th for the most efficient…
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How Dumb is the Jobs Bill?
So the logic behind Stimulus 3, or the so-called “jobs bill” is that the first stimulus (the Bush stimulus of 2008, predicated largely on tax rebates) worked so well the…
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Read More: How Dumb is the Jobs Bill?Government Accountability
Whistle-Blower Protection
Good morning. I’m Katrina Currie, a Research Fellow for the Commonwealth Foundation. I am joined by my colleague Elizabeth Bryan. The…
Testimony
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Rendell Lured to Stimulus Like a Moth to a Flame
The lure of federal stimulus funds is encouraging Pennsylvania to spend more of state taxpayers’ money as well. Here are three examples: The Commonwealth was awarded $35 million through the…
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Read More: Rendell Lured to Stimulus Like a Moth to a FlameGovernment Accountability
PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses
I have often remarked that the exorbitant costs of Pennsylvania legislators’ per diems (see Tribune Review and ABC 27 stories) – that they receive to pay for food…
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Read More: PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy HousesTaxes & Economy
Did the Stimulus Raise Unemployment?
Alan Reynolds takes a nuanced approach to where stimulus funding went, and why it didn’t “create jobs” or increase GDP, and probably increased unemployment: [T]he GDP report clearly…
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Read More: Did the Stimulus Raise Unemployment?Regulation
How Rendell’s Cigar Tax Will Hurt Pennsylvania Businesses
For the second year in a row, Gov. Rendell has proposed a tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco, assuming this will have no impact on jobs or the economy. (As…
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Read More: How Rendell’s Cigar Tax Will Hurt Pennsylvania BusinessesTaxes & Economy
When Alternative Energy Subsidies End . . .
Jim Panyard from the PA Independent reports on Rep. Scavello’s plan to secure $26 to $54 million in stimulus funding for residents who own Thermal Storage Unit heating systems.
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