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
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…
Media
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…
Media
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:…
Media
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:…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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),…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare 101Taxes & Economy
Can the Feds Save the Housing Market?
He is a good read from The Freeman offering a primer on how the US housing market came to be in such bad shape, and why federal bailouts is…
Media
Read More: Can the Feds Save the Housing Market?Taxes & Economy
PA ranks low among US and Canadian Labor Markets
For Labor Day, the Fraser Institute has a new report on state and Canadian provinces labor markets. It may stun some in the Rendell administration, but not…
Media
Read More: PA ranks low among US and Canadian Labor MarketsHealth Care
Conservatives should care about health care
Philip Klein has a must read article about why conservatives should care about health in the The American Spectator. He makes the case that it is not enough to…
Media
Read More: Conservatives should care about health careGovernment Accountability
BonusGate update and questions
The Democracy Rising PA Newsletter raises some interesting points about a pronouncement by Attorney General Tom Corbett that he wouldn’t make announcements about indictments leading up to Nov.
Media
Read More: BonusGate update and questionsTaxes & Economy
Indiana newspaper reflects on toll road lease
Editorial from The Indianapolis Star citing Pennsylvania’s consideration of leasing the Turnpike. Here’s the last five paragraphs with some of [OUR COMMENTARY] included: Indiana’s lease has enabled…
Media
Read More: Indiana newspaper reflects on toll road leaseTaxes & Economy
Media Coverage of the Turnpike Family Tree
Here is a roundup of news coverage of our Turnpike Family Treeand video: Mark Scolforo has the AP Story, with a retort from Joe Brimmeier:…
Media
Read More: Media Coverage of the Turnpike Family TreeTaxes & Economy
Turnpike Commission to owe $30 to $70 billion after Act 44
In our news release and media briefing yesterday, highlighting the patronage, power, and politics at the Turnpike Commission, we mention the exorbitant amount of debt the Turnpike Commission…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission to owe $30 to $70 billion after Act 44