Education
Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
Read More: Lawmakers can ease financial worries of PennsylvaniansHigh 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.
State Budget
Updated Pennsylvania Revenue Shortfall Projections
Following an Open Records request, the PA Office of the Budget provided us the their latest projections for General Fund revenue collections. The number for media, lawmakers, and policy nerds…
Media
Read More: Updated Pennsylvania Revenue Shortfall ProjectionsGovernment Accountability
Gov. Creates Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Board
John Micek has the list of appointees (sans the GOP caucus appointments) to Gov. Rendell’s Stimulus Oversight Commission. Unfortunately, the panel includes no representation by taxpayers, with the exception…
Media
Read More: Gov. Creates Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight BoardTaxes & Economy
Rich State, Poor State
ALEC has released the 2nd edition of their Economic Competitiveness Index – Rich States, Poor States – which looks at which policies drive economic growth among states, and which…
Media
Read More: Rich State, Poor StateTaxes & Economy
Demint on Charity
Jim Demint gives some great remarks on why government cannot, and should not, force individuals to be more charitable and volunteer more. More Reading on Charity and Government…
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Read More: Demint on CharityTaxes & Economy
Dozens of Tea Parties Coming to Pennsylvania
In conjunction with the Tax Day Tea Party Movement, the Commonwealth Foundation is organizing another Harrisburg Tea Party, to be held on the Capitol Steps at noon on…
Press Release
Read More: Dozens of Tea Parties Coming to PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Veon Fallout: An End to WAMs
Yesterday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced additional charges against former Rep. Mike Veon and staffer Annamarie Peretta-Rosepink for their role in directing state funds to the Beaver Initiative…
Media
Read More: Veon Fallout: An End to WAMsTaxes & Economy
Bush vs, Obama Deficit in Picture
Here is a frightening picture of the projected federal deficit, courtesy the Heritage Foundation. They go on to comment…
Media
Read More: Bush vs, Obama Deficit in PictureGovernment Accountability
Tea Party Food Drive
Our office is abuzz with preparations for the Harrisburg Tax Day Tea Party. We can’t wait to see you all on April 15th! We wanted to let you know…
Media
Read More: Tea Party Food DriveTaxes & Economy
Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike Lease
The Pew Center on the States has a new report out offering lessons to Pennsylvania and other states on the proposed deal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike (full…
Media
Read More: Lessons from the Failed PA Turnpike LeaseHealth Care
A Bad Deal on Health Care
This AP story reports that AHIP and Blue Cross Blue Shield are willing to “compromise” on health care reform – ending the practice of “charging higher premiums to…
Media
Read More: A Bad Deal on Health CareTaxes & Economy
State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking
The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…
Media
Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic RankingTaxes & Economy
State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic Ranking
The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released the latest data on personal income by state. For the first time in many years, Pennsylvania grew faster than the nation as…
Media
Read More: State Personal Income and Pennsylvania’s Economic RankingGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo
ABC 27 has a story on the amount of OPM – “other people’s money,” i.e. taxpayers – used to defend former Sen. Vince Fumo, who was convicted of illegally…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend FumoGovernment Accountability
Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend Fumo
ABC 27 has a story on the amount of OPM – “other people’s money,” i.e. taxpayers – used to defend former Sen. Vince Fumo, who was convicted of illegally…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Spend $2.3 Million to Defend FumoTaxes & Economy
Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike
Governor Rendell has promptly dumped Mitchell Rubin as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and replaced him with Michael Pratt of Pepper Hamilton LLP. Toll Roads News…
Media
Read More: Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania TurnpikeTaxes & Economy
Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania Turnpike
Governor Rendell has promptly dumped Mitchell Rubin as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and replaced him with Michael Pratt of Pepper Hamilton LLP. Toll Roads News…
Media
Read More: Musical Chairs at Pennnsylvania TurnpikeRegulation
No “Property Tax Relief” This Year?
Sharon Smith writes that the slots taxes may not generate enough revenue to trigger property relief this year. By law, the Property Tax Relief Fund must have $570 million…
Media
Read More: No “Property Tax Relief” This Year?Taxes & Economy
Spending Under President George W. Bush
The Mercatus Center has a final analysis of spending under the Bush presidency – including the growth in spending, comparisons to Clinton and previous spender, pork projects, and growth…
Media
Read More: Spending Under President George W. BushEducation
Bailouts and Bull
John Stossel’s latest 20/20 special on bailouts and bull debunks numerous big-government myths, including the bailout mentality. Stosell also tackles toll road privatization, universal Pre-K, medical marijuana, the border…
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Read More: Bailouts and BullTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Turnpike Chair Target of FBI
KYW Radio reports that Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitch Rubin is now the target of an FBI Corruption probe. This should not be a surprise, following the conviction…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Chair Target of FBITaxes & Economy
More on the AIG Bonuses
Greg Mankiw notes that the AIG bonuses, which seem to be such a focus of Congressional leaders these days, amount to 0.001% of GDP – a pretty trivial amount…
Media
Read More: More on the AIG Bonuses