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
Jobs “Created or Saved” is Obama’s “Mission Accomplished”
Much mockery has been made of the reported “jobs created or saved” by the stimulus package – from jobs created in Congressional districts that don’t exist to the…
Media
Read More: Jobs “Created or Saved” is Obama’s “Mission Accomplished”Health Care
Health Care Reform: The Constitution, the Bible, and Economics
My prepared remarks to the “Million Med March” in Harrisburg Thank you. Good afternoon. Thanks for everyone here for coming out – I know none of us really want to…
Media
Read More: Health Care Reform: The Constitution, the Bible, and EconomicsPublic Union Democracy
State Tax Trends
ATR has a new report on state tax trends. In addition to a roundup of state tax changes, the new report highlights trends with policy implications. While we pointed…
Media
Read More: State Tax TrendsGovernment Accountability
What Next for “Tea Party” Activists?
Following the recent “Taxpayers March on Harrisburg,” as well as recent health care protests in Washington DC and elsewhere, a grassroots organizer posed the question, “what should we do now?”…
Media
Read More: What Next for “Tea Party” Activists?Taxes & Economy
New I-80 Tolling Study Lacks Credibility
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s ill-advised attempts to toll I-80 continues; yesterday, Brian Chase, an independent consultant, spoke to the House Republican Policy Committee (PLS Subscription) about the validity…
Media
Read More: New I-80 Tolling Study Lacks CredibilityHealth Care
Guide to Harry Reid’s Health Care Bill
Yesterday, US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put forth a new, 2,074 page health care reform bill. The Senate is expected to vote on it in the next few days.
Media
Read More: Guide to Harry Reid’s Health Care BillTaxes & Economy
Electric Choice is Gaining Steam
With the expiration of rate caps in 2010 I've been tracking the entrance of new residential suppliers in the central PA electricity market. These days it's rare to see actual…
Media
Read More: Electric Choice is Gaining SteamTaxes & Economy
Has George W. Bush Seen the Light?
Ever since former president George W. Bush unveiled plans for the new presidential center in his name which would focus on fiscal restraint, he has faced fair amount of…
Media
Read More: Has George W. Bush Seen the Light?Energy
Alternative Energy Mandates
Pennsylvania law requires utility companies to produce a certain percentage of their electricity from alternative sources in future years. Proposed legislation would increase this percentage and require new carbon sequestration…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Alternative Energy MandatesGovernment Accountability
The Illusion of Shrinking State Government
Back in September of 2008, Governor Rendell announced a state-wide hiring freeze in all agencies under his control to help curb declining revenues and a weakened national economy. Now,…
Media
Read More: The Illusion of Shrinking State GovernmentTaxes & Economy
Government Authors More “Jobs Created” Fiction
The recovery.gov website lists a number of job creation success stories in congressional districts accross many states. For instance, in Arizona’s 15th congressional district 30 jobs were created…
Media
Read More: Government Authors More “Jobs Created” FictionTaxes & Economy
Increased Unemployment Benefits = Increased Unemployment
Alan Reynolds outlines a very basic economic concept: longer limits (and increased benefits) for taxpayer-funded unemployment compensation – as was mandated in the federal stimulus, and repeated by Congress…
Media
Read More: Increased Unemployment Benefits = Increased UnemploymentTaxes & Economy
Climate Change in Pennsylvania
A new report from the Science & Public Policy Institute (SPPI) focuses solely on climate trends in the Pennsylvania. The report highlights climate trends unique to the state…
Media
Read More: Climate Change in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
PA Climate Change Action Plan Violates Legislative Directives
In 2008, the General Assembly passed the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act (Act 70). This act created the Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC), which was charged with implementing a study…
Media
Read More: PA Climate Change Action Plan Violates Legislative DirectivesHealth Care
Congressional Candidates, Pay Attention on Health Care Debate
WFMZ features a story on a health care protest outside Congressman Charlie Dent’s office, featuring Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, who is also challenging Dent (HT Grassroots PA). Callahan…
Media
Read More: Congressional Candidates, Pay Attention on Health Care DebateCriminal Justice Reform
Prison Overcrowding Solutions
Testimony submitted to the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee We would like to thank the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for giving us the opportunity to submit testimony on the…
Testimony
Read More: Prison Overcrowding SolutionsHealth Care
The Real Fiscal Cost of Health Care “Reform”
The Center for Freedom and Prosperity has a new video out on the red-ink train wreck of government-run healthcare.
Media
Read More: The Real Fiscal Cost of Health Care “Reform”Regulation
Corporate Welfare Goes Green
The solar industry, teamed with congress, is trying to get the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act passed. This act creates a 30% tax credit for solar manufactures and makes…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare Goes GreenHealth Care
Notes on Health Care Reform
Two slightly important questions are being neglected regarding the Health Care Reform bills in Congress: their constitutionality and their morality. Are the bill just passed in the House and that…
Commentary
Read More: Notes on Health Care ReformTaxes & Economy
The Economic Ignorance of “Fewer Jobs Lost”
Many pundits, members of the media, and elected officials (or their spokesman), cite employment data showing “fewer jobs lost” in October (or in the case of the state, September)…
Media
Read More: The Economic Ignorance of “Fewer Jobs Lost”Government Accountability
Tort Reform – Keep It a State Issue
The US House health care bill not only has little significant tort reform, it in fact limits states from enacting meaningful tort reform. This statement taken directly from the…
Media
Read More: Tort Reform – Keep It a State Issue