Prosperity
New Year, New Taxes in Pennsylvania
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The new year is always a great opportunity to shed vices like smoking and binge eating. For state and local lawmakers, their guilty pleasure tends…
Read More: New Year, New Taxes in PennsylvaniaHigh 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
Lancaster County delegation doles out $3 million in WAMs
LancasterOnline breaks down the taxpayer-funded pork projects (WAMs) awarded by Lancaster County lawmakers. (HT: GrassrootsPA)…
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Read More: Lancaster County delegation doles out $3 million in WAMsTaxes & Economy
Lease it!, says The Times-Tribune
Editorial from The Times-Tribune makes part of the case for leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike now that the Federal Highway Administration has rejected a key feature of Act 44…
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Read More: Lease it!, says The Times-TribuneTaxes & Economy
Turnpike lease on the move…
Toll Roads News is reporting that House Democratic Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans is ready to move the Turnpike lease bill, and additional support is gathering. Of course, the Turnpike…
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Read More: Turnpike lease on the move…Taxes & Economy
Feds Reject Tolls on I-80
It’s official, the Pennyslvania Turnpike Comission’s attempt to toll I-80 has been denied by the Federal Highway Administration. See our news release…
Media
Read More: Feds Reject Tolls on I-80Regulation
Thank You for (Not) Smoking
Pennsylvania’s smoking ban goes into effect today and has created a cloud of controversy statewide, with a less than enthusiastic response from the smoking public. The Department of Health has…
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Read More: Thank You for (Not) SmokingTaxes & Economy
The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private Partnerships
Government officials continue to decry the terrible condition of the state’s roads, but this time real solutions like public-private partnerships are receiving some support. On Monday, the House Transportation Committee…
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Read More: The Reemerging Paradigm: Public-Private PartnershipsHealth Care
State Mandates Result in High Price Tags
A recent news release from the National Center for Policy Analysis underscores the reason for soaring health coverage costs across the nation: state mandates and no national competition. The…
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Read More: State Mandates Result in High Price TagsTaxes & Economy
Extending Rate Caps is Not the Answer
Yesterday, Govenor Rendell declared he would have “no choice” but to support an extension of the rate caps if the legislature fails to act on rising electricity rates. This…
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Read More: Extending Rate Caps is Not the AnswerState Budget
Who opposed the Bridge to Nowhere?
NTU sums up the “Bridge to Nowhere” opposition: Sarah Palin has declared she said “thanks, but no thanks” on the Bridge to Nowhere. And it’s true, that she stopped…
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Read More: Who opposed the Bridge to Nowhere?Government Accountability
As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending Continues
Senator Vince Fumo's trial began yesterday with the first day of jury selection. In the days leading up to the trial the senator was doing what he does best:…
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Read More: As Sentor Fumo’s Trial Begins the Spending ContinuesTaxes & Economy
More comments on the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac takeover
Cato’s Ed Crane writes Fannie and Freddie: Socialist from the Start. His colleague, David Boaz, notes:…
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Read More: More comments on the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac takeoverTaxes & Economy
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Avoiding the Next Big Mistake
As the feds propose a government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Heritage Foundation has a new WebMemo on what to do an what not to…
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Read More: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: Avoiding the Next Big MistakeTaxes & Economy
New Facts and Resources on Transportation Funding
We have revised our PolicyPoints on Act 44 and Transportation Funding More Resources: Turnpike Lease/BidTurnpikeFacts.comFull Concession Agreement – Governor’s OfficeSynopsis of Lease Requirements/Limits…
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Read More: New Facts and Resources on Transportation FundingHealth Care
McCain and Obama on Health Care
While health care policy won’t get the level of media coverage as Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter or Barack Obama’s crazy pastor, some people might be interested in looking at the candidates proposals…
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Read More: McCain and Obama on Health CareTaxes & Economy
Act 44 & Transportation Funding
In July 2007, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed and Governor Ed Rendell signed Act 44. This legislation authorized the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) to increase tolls on the Turnpike;…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Act 44 & Transportation FundingTaxes & Economy
End of the “Second Whiskey Rebellion”?
The Allegheny Institute writes that a court ruling, disallowing a referendum on the Allegheny County drink tax, will likely be overturned on appeal, because is so shoddy. Pittsburgh…
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Read More: End of the “Second Whiskey Rebellion”?Taxes & Economy
Compare the Presidential Candidates Tax Plans
The Tax Foundation has a tool offering side-by-side comparisons of tax proposals Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, Cynthia McKinney, and Ralph Nader. For all you policy wonks, you can also…
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Read More: Compare the Presidential Candidates Tax PlansTaxes & Economy
Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructure
Patriot News editorial notes that the proposed Turnpike lease deal would make PA a model for the nation. It’s not that the public-private partnership concept being pushed…
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Read More: Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructureTaxes & Economy
Offshore drilling to being on October 1?
A Heritage Foundation webmemo articulates the fact that all Congress needs to do allow offshore drilling is not extend the moratorium – set to expire on Sept. 30. They…
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Read More: Offshore drilling to being on October 1?Taxes & Economy
Turnpike Commission Triples Act 44 Debt from $14 Billion to $44 Billion
Unpaid debt increases from $0 to $73 billion under PTC’s revised plans HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation presented an analysis of the proposed debt under the Pennsylvania…
Press Release
Read More: Turnpike Commission Triples Act 44 Debt from $14 Billion to $44 BillionRegulation
Corporate Welfare 101
Philadelphia Inquirer story on how the Lancaster Convention Center project has spun out of control – with dramatic cost increases (from an initial $30 million to over $100 million),…
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