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
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…
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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…
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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…
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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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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…
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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…
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Read More: More on the AIG BonusesTaxes & Economy
Does Pennsylvania Need to Fund Public TV?
The Allegheny Institute has an excellent post on state funding of public television. The local Pittsburgh station – WQED – is asking viewers to contribute “their two cents”; not…
Media
Read More: Does Pennsylvania Need to Fund Public TV?Government Accountability
More Taxpayer Money Wasted on Promotions and Marketing
I’m not sure if readers are aware of this, but Congress recently passed something called a “stimulus” bill a few weeks ago. In order to publicize the stimulus funding,…
Media
Read More: More Taxpayer Money Wasted on Promotions and MarketingTaxes & Economy
Who’s Really “Nuts” on Economic Policy?
We posted yesterday on the Turzai-Quigley proposal to cut state spending and tax rates. Today Governor Rendell called Turzai “nuts” and his plan “ludicrous“. Rendell has previously lambasted…
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Free Markets: An Unknown Ideal
President Obama, Governor Rendell, and many in the media have been echoing a similar refrain recently, "Conservatives had their chance. We tried free markets, and they failed." When exactly they…
Commentary
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Representatives Propose Putting State Government on a Diet
State Representatives Mike Turzai and Tom Quigley unveiled a plan to cut about $170 million wasteful spending from the Pennsylvania state budget ($130 million relative to Gov. Rendell’s proposed…
Media
Read More: Representatives Propose Putting State Government on a DietRegulation
State Employees Take Taxpayer-Funded Trips
Team 4 has an amazing exposé of taxpayer-funded travel by Pennsylvania state employees, in particular the gaming control board–after a travel ban was implement. Here are some of the…
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Scotland Students Need More Educational Choices
To plug a $2.3 billion deficit caused by overspending, Gov. Rendell has proposed closing the Scotland School for Veterans' Children. Although the $13 million in state funds the school received…
Commentary
Read More: Scotland Students Need More Educational ChoicesState Budget
Obama’s Budget: More of the Same You Can Believe In
The Cato Institute’s Chris Edwards has the latest Tax and Budget bulletin, with an updated analysis of spending by president. The bulletin reiterates what Cato has been saying…
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Read More: Obama’s Budget: More of the Same You Can Believe InState Budget
Sanford to Refuse Stimulus Funds – Example for Rendell
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has announced he will reject much of the federal stimulus dollars coming to his state. Like Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, he recognizes that…
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Read More: Sanford to Refuse Stimulus Funds – Example for RendellEducation
Upcoming Opportunities for Students
The Commonwealth Foundation has a number of great opportunities for students to learn more about economics, public policy, and the importance of liberty. Please, No More Taxes! Video Contest- Win…
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Establishing the “Facts” about Pennsylvania’s Economy
Chuck Ardo – spokesman for Gov. Rendell – has an op-ed in Sunday’s Patriot News about what a great success Gov. Rendell’s economic policy has been. This taxpayer-funded propaganda…
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Read More: Establishing the “Facts” about Pennsylvania’s EconomyHealth Care
Will Rendell Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs?
Governor Rendell announced a number of new proposals increasing the number of people in Adult Basic health care, shifting funds to help with mortgage assistance and home heating cost.
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On Specter’s Economic Remarks
Roxbury News has posted video of Arlen Specter’s remarks yesterday (part II here) at the State Capitol. Three things really bother me regarding his defense of his vote…
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Read More: On Specter’s Economic RemarksTaxes & Economy
Money Squanderers
Brad Bumsted has an excellent op-ed on why Pennsylvania lawmakers’ Bibles, gifts from the speaker, legal fees, and the like are just a few among many…
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