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.
Regulation
A Tale of Three Cities: Pennsylvania’s Retiree and Medical Liability Challenges
Pennsylvania maintains over 3,000 public pension plans at the state, city and municipal levels, the most of any state and approximately 25% of all such plans in America. Over 2,200…
Fact Sheet
Read More: A Tale of Three Cities: Pennsylvania’s Retiree and Medical Liability ChallengesTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | April 2009
Update on Pennsylvania’s Revenue Shortfall from the Commonwealth Foundation The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the March revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $1.61 billion short…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch | April 2009Taxes & Economy
Please No More Taxes Video Contest Deadline Extended
The deadline for the Please No More Taxes Video Contest has been extended to June 1st! Are you tired of paying high taxes? Enter the Commonwealth Foundation’s “Please…
Media
Read More: Please No More Taxes Video Contest Deadline ExtendedTaxes & Economy
FASB Eases “Mark to Market”
The Federal Accounting Standards Board voted to ease “mark to market” accounting rules, which forced financial firms to markdown the value of their assets. This is pretty wonkish, but…
Media
Read More: FASB Eases “Mark to Market”Taxes & Economy
Tax Freedom Day for PA is April 14
The Tax Foundation has released the latest report on Tax Freedom Day (get the Full Report in PDF). This year Tax Freedom Day will occur on April 13…
Media
Read More: Tax Freedom Day for PA is April 14Taxes & Economy
A pop quiz on how Pa. leaders opt to spend your dollars
John Baer has a pop quiz on Pennsylvania’s recent government spending. How much do you know about taxpayer-funded bonuses to legislative staffers, legal fees to defend those bonuses, international…
Media
Read More: A pop quiz on how Pa. leaders opt to spend your dollarsTaxes & Economy
PA Governor Releases April Fool’s Joke Too Early
Governor Rendell has a great April Fool’s gag, announcing a Pennsylvania “Stimulus Czar” (like anyone would think that’s a real job) that pays $120,000 per year for part-time work.
Media
Read More: PA Governor Releases April Fool’s Joke Too EarlyState 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…
Media
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 Fumo