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
How PA Should Use Its Stimulus Money
Lawmakers in Missouri announced they are foregoing pet projects in order to temporarily lower the state’s personal income tax from 6% to 5.5%. (HT NTU) Governor Rendell would be…
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Amendment to Protect Taxpayers from Unfunded Mandates
Rep. Mike Peifer proposed a constitutional amendment to ban state legislation that imposes unfunded mandates on local governments. Since Governor Rendell has been lax at cutting wasteful spending…
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Read More: Amendment to Protect Taxpayers from Unfunded MandatesGovernment Accountability
New Video Contest Entries
There is one month remaining to submit videos in our Please, No More Taxes! Video Contest with $4,000 in prizes available. Upload videos to our YouTube Group here.
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Will Mandated Smart Meters Save Money?
Last year the legislature passed Act 128, which forces utilities to force their customers to conserve electricity. Among the provisions is a mandate to install smart meters in every…
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Read More: Will Mandated Smart Meters Save Money?Public Union Democracy
Right-to-Work Works
Mark J. Perry queries, using the ALEC report Rich States, Poor States: “What feature do 15 out of the top 16 states for economic outlook have in…
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Rendell’s Pants are on Fire
Governor Rendell, in comments made today about Sen. Specter, claimed that Specter is “being criticized by his party for voting for the stimulus … which is something every conservative economist…
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Read More: Rendell’s Pants are on FireGovernment Accountability
Is Pennsylvania’s Medical Malpractice Crisis Over?
Governor Rendell has declared that Pennsylvania no longer has a “crisis” in medical malpractice lawsuits, citing recent declines in the number of suits filed. Critics claimed that reform have…
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Read More: Is Pennsylvania’s Medical Malpractice Crisis Over?Taxes & Economy
PA is 29th Best State for Small Business
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council has a new ranking of the best state tax systems for small business. Pennsylvania ranks 29th (1 being the best). Click here…
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Read More: PA is 29th Best State for Small BusinessGovernment Accountability
Coverage of Ted Nugent at LiveFreePA
Some coverage of our inaugural Live Free PA event featuring Ted Nugent. Lancaster Online: Open Season: Guitarist Ted Nugent rocks local crowd with riffs on gun control and…
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Read More: Coverage of Ted Nugent at LiveFreePATaxes & Economy
Should State Taxpayers Fund Television
Governor Rendell has proposed cutting funding for the Pennsylvania Public Television Network (about $12 million) from the state budget for next year. This has obviously led those who receive taxpayer…
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Financial Bailout Oversight & Transparency – Failure
Story from CNN Money covers testimony from the special inspector overseeing the TARP program, i.e. the financial bailout (HT Brian Ellis): Barofsky said his top concern was…
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Electricity: Phase-In Legislation Passes Committee
Yesterday, the Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation that would phase-in higher electricity rates over a three year period. Rates for PPL residential customers are expected to increase…
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Read More: Electricity: Phase-In Legislation Passes CommitteeTaxes & Economy
Obama’s Joke: “Cut $100 Million from the Federal Budget”
President Obama has told his cabinet he want to them to cut $100 million from the federal budget to demonstrate fiscal responsibility. While $100 million is certainly a lot…
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Read More: Obama’s Joke: “Cut $100 Million from the Federal Budget”Taxes & Economy
School Board Transparency Recognized
Carlisle School Board member Fred Baldwin wins award for Commonwealth Foundation project promoting open school district labor negotiations HARRISBURG, PA — Fred Baldwin, manager of the Commonwealth Foundation’s School Board…
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Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2009
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the April revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $2.55 billion short for the fiscal year to date. Governor Rendell had estimated…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2009Government Accountability
Audit: PA Not Ready for Stimulus Oversight
Auditor General Jack Wagner believes Pennsylvania is ill-suited to provide transparency and oversight on the stimulus money coming to the state in a letter he sent to the federal Government…
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Energy Facts and Myths
The Manhattan Institute has release an new edition of their publication, Energy and the Environment: Facts and Myths. A great tool for both interested citizens and for policy makers,…
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Polling on Tea Parties
Rasmussen has an interesting poll on people’s attitudes toward recent tea parties (top line results), finding that 51% of respondents have favorable views of Tea Parties (vs 33%…
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The Un-Silent Majority
Nearly 10,000 Pennsylvanians rallied on Tax Day, April 15th, against wasteful government spending, high and rising taxes, and burgeoning government debt and deficits. The nonpartisan, anti-establishment “Tea Parties” were held…
Commentary
Read More: The Un-Silent MajorityTaxes & Economy
Latest Pennsylvania Job Numbers (March 2009)
According to the State Department of Labor and Industry, Pennsylvania lost 30,500 jobs in March alone. The data indicate that since the recession began – officially in…
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Read More: Latest Pennsylvania Job Numbers (March 2009)Taxes & Economy
Wage Tax Increase in Philadelphia
Three of the four legislative caucuses in Harrisburg have taken opposition to Philadelphia’s council move for a wage tax increase. Although Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia opposes a wage tax increase,…
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