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
Governor Rendell earns a D
The Cato Institute gives Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell a “D” on its Fiscal Report Card of the Governors. In 2004, Governor Rendell pushed through a $1.5…
Media
Read More: Governor Rendell earns a DHealth Care
Hawaii drops universal health care for kids, cites “crowd out”
Hawaii is dropping its “universal” health care program for children, in part because it is too costly (particularly given a budget crunch), but also because of the trend know…
Media
Read More: Hawaii drops universal health care for kids, cites “crowd out”Taxes & Economy
The Free Market = Cheaper Gas
Ben Lieberman of Heritage explains why the free market system is responsible for the recent decline in gasoline prices. “As summer turned to fall, sky-high pump prices in the…
Media
Read More: The Free Market = Cheaper GasHealth Care
We’re No. 2 … in loss of employer health insurance
Cross-posted on Capitol Domes It should come as no surprise that universal health care proponents are spinning a report from an organization that supports universal…
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Read More: We’re No. 2 … in loss of employer health insuranceTaxes & Economy
State budget must be cut
The Citizens’ Voice has an editorial calling for state budget cuts giving the current crunch in the Pennsylvania state budget. Meanwhile, Gib Armstrong and other lawmakers continue…
Media
Read More: State budget must be cutRegulation
Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensing
“Joe the Plumber” has made lots of headlines – since he put the screws to Barack Obama about how Obama’s tax increases might affect him – but this…
Media
Read More: Which is more destructive – high taxes or occupational licensingTaxes & Economy
Hugo Chavez: Bush is sociailist “comrade”
Cato-at-liberty notes that Venezuelan would-be-dictator Hugo Chavez has welcomed President Bush into the socialist movement: Socialist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez mocked George W. Bush as a “comrade” on…
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Read More: Hugo Chavez: Bush is sociailist “comrade”Health Care
Health Care Reform
Reform in health care should follow a few key principles: Give individuals and employers more choices in health care. Give them more freedom in choosing health care options.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Health Care ReformHealth Care
The Great Health Care Debate
Bob Moffit of Heritage writes that we are at a crossroads in health care in term of the difference between McCain and Obama’s proposals. The Commonwealth Foundation has said…
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Read More: The Great Health Care DebateTaxes & Economy
“The Great Depression II”
As most movie sequels are dwarfed by the original, so too does the rhetoric about the US sitting on the precipice of “another Great Depression” over-hype the current situation, and…
Media
Read More: “The Great Depression II”Taxes & Economy
The Case for Corporate Tax Cuts
The NCPA has a short primer on why the US (and Pennsylvania) should cut corporate tax rates. The US has the 2nd highest (to Japan) combined corporate tax rate. …
Media
Read More: The Case for Corporate Tax CutsGovernment Accountability
Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORN
Our sister think tank in Ohio has filed a RICO suit (i.e. for organized crime) against ACORN for voter fraud. The full complaint is here. Since stories…
Media
Read More: Buckeye Institute files Rico suit against ACORNTaxes & Economy
Business Owners: Economy and elected officials are bad, drilling and nuclear power needed
The Lincoln Institute has release their Fall 2008 Keystone Business Climate Survey covering a range of business and political issues. Some of the more interesting findings: Almost…
Media
Read More: Business Owners: Economy and elected officials are bad, drilling and nuclear power neededHealth Care
Where will Canadians go for health care?
A Canadian commented on a previous post that – even though he had to come to the US to receive health care – the Canadian system is better because…
Media
Read More: Where will Canadians go for health care?Taxes & Economy
Make the bailout “investments” voluntary
Letter I sent to the President and my representatives in Congress: The recent bailout plan approved by Congress authorized the Dept. of the Treasury to purchase mortgages securities at above-market…
Media
Read More: Make the bailout “investments” voluntaryState Budget
Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)
Recently, state Senators Gibson Armstrong (R, Lancaster) and Vince Fumo (D, Philadelphia) sounded the alarm that Pennsylvania will be facing a massive budget deficit by the end of the…
Commentary
Read More: Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)Health Care
Is choosing your health care plan dangerous?
Michael Cannon’s latest commentary on health care reform is a must read: What I saw next was even scarier: The presidential debate, where Barack Obama told me how…
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Read More: Is choosing your health care plan dangerous?Taxes & Economy
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must go
Good article in the Christian Science Monitor on the need to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Heritage Foundation blog also discusses how Fannie Mae and Freddie…
Media
Read More: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must goTaxes & Economy
Re-regulating Electricity
The Tribune-Review has an article breaking down the latest energy bill (HB2200). The bill seeks to regulate the “deregulation” process by: Mandating the installation of smart meters over a…
Media
Read More: Re-regulating ElectricityRegulation
Leasing Toll Roads, Airports, and Parking
There are several stories on privatization in the news lately on a number of fronts. First up is in the real value of toll roads – which should be read…
Media
Read More: Leasing Toll Roads, Airports, and ParkingTaxes & Economy
Rate Mitigation Debate Far From Over
In the past few weeks legislators have been negotiating to mitigate future electricity rate increases once rate caps expire. Here’s the details: The Governor and assembly leaders…
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Read More: Rate Mitigation Debate Far From Over