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
Only 40 states have a better business climate than Pennsylvania
Forbes has issued its latest report on “The Best States for Business“. Pennsylvania ranks 41st. (Click here for the table). Amazingly, despite Governor Rendell’s “investments” in our…
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Read More: Only 40 states have a better business climate than PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Are corporations dodging taxes?
The AP had a story yesterday headlined, “Most companies in US avoid federal income taxes” (full study). Governor Rendell frequently makes this claim as well, when defending Pennsylvania’s…
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Read More: Are corporations dodging taxes?Health Care
Reduce the number of uninsured 25% – for free
A new study by University of Minnesota researchers finds that a simply policy change would reduce the number of uninsured by 25 to 33 percent (Greg Scandlen has a…
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Read More: Reduce the number of uninsured 25% – for freeTaxes & Economy
Head for the Hills
“It’s tangible, the misery and hopelessness and the bleakness.” No, this is not the latest sound-bite ad for tourism in PA. It’s actually what Viggo Mortensen said about Pittsburgh,…
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Read More: Head for the HillsTaxes & Economy
U.S. Congressmen criticizes Pennsylvania’s transportation policies
U.S. Representative John Peterson explains why we should blame poor money managment, not a lack of funds, for the dilapidated state of Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges. Rep. Peterson mentions…
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Read More: U.S. Congressmen criticizes Pennsylvania’s transportation policiesTaxes & Economy
Texas Is Fed Up With Corn Ethanol
Texas Governor Rick Perry in the Wall Street Journal on why the EPA needs to suspend the mandate to produce more ethanol – which is, according to Perry and…
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Read More: Texas Is Fed Up With Corn EthanolRegulation
Steelers, developer ask state to help subsidize amphitheater
Post-Gazette story on the demand that taxpayers pay $4 million dollars for an amphitheater. (HT GrassrootsPA). The developer notes, “the entertainment complex itself will be a source of…
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Read More: Steelers, developer ask state to help subsidize amphitheaterTaxes & Economy
Pushed out of the top ten again
The Tax Foundation has released their yearly report ranking the state tax burden for all 50 states. Pennsylvania comes in at number 11 (1 being the worst). PA consistently…
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Read More: Pushed out of the top ten againRegulation
Rendellconomics 101
Morning Call piece piece by Jarrett Renshaw debates the merits of Rendell’s economic policies – borrowing (to be paid by taxpayers) to give handouts to his favorite projects like…
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Read More: Rendellconomics 101Taxes & Economy
Rising electricity rates and the PUC
The Public Utility Commission published a number of press releases yesterday addressing the expected rise in electricity rates. – The Public Utility Commission finally gave PPL the go ahead…
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Read More: Rising electricity rates and the PUCTaxes & Economy
Who’s your cable guy?
For the first time in 30 years Pittsburgh residents will be able to choose who provides their cable. The Post-Gazette reports the city is negotiating a contract that would…
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Read More: Who’s your cable guy?Regulation
Bridge To Troubled Waters
Gov. Rendell is still touring the state dolling out taxpayers’ money for various projects across the state totaling $642 million. Much of the funding will assist infrastructure improvements for…
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Read More: Bridge To Troubled WatersTaxes & Economy
How to Lose Billions of Dollars
Turnpike Commission plan will cost taxpayers $37.4 billion HARRISBURG, PA — Today, as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission unveiled its plans for new tolling plazas along I-80, the Commonwealth Foundation reiterated…
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Read More: How to Lose Billions of DollarsTaxes & Economy
Turnpike Commission will cost Taxpayers $37 Billion
Critics of a Turnpike lease—including Rep. Joe Markosek—have offered the claim that Act 44, even without tolling of I-80, represents more revenue to taxpayers of the state than a…
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Read More: Turnpike Commission will cost Taxpayers $37 BillionTaxes & Economy
Rate Caps: Extend or End?
At a recent meeting of the House Republican Policy Committee legislators heard testimony concerning the expiration of electric rate caps. The original Electric Generation Choice and Competition Act…
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Read More: Rate Caps: Extend or End?Regulation
Gov. Rendell to play rich uncle to Valley
Nice headline for the Morning Call story about Gov. Rendell’s “Card Board Check Tour”. Unfortunately for Pennsylvanians, though, the rich uncle Rendell is pretending to be isn’t reaching into…
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Read More: Gov. Rendell to play rich uncle to ValleyTaxes & Economy
Ranking the Roads
Reason Foundation has released their annual ranking on the peformance of state highway systems. Pennsylvania ranks middle to low on most performance measures, but – this may suprise many who listen to Governor…
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Read More: Ranking the RoadsState Budget
Is the “far right” a losing proposition?
Michael Smerconish – who gets mis-identified as a conservative due to his shaved head and glasses – calls for the GOP to act more “moderate” in order to win…
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Read More: Is the “far right” a losing proposition?Taxes & Economy
Give Exxon a break
The Los Angeles Times editorializes about why Exxon is getting a bad rap for “record profits“. Although crude oil is selling for almost twice as much a…
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Read More: Give Exxon a breakTaxes & Economy
Comments on the Milton Friedman Institute Protest letter
A U of Chicago faculty member responds to the absurd protest objecting to a Milton Friedman Institute, pointing out not only the blatant hypocrisy and misguided economic assumptions,…
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Read More: Comments on the Milton Friedman Institute Protest letterTaxes & Economy
Even heroes can misspend other people’s money
Two separate letters to the editor in the Patriot News denounce the Commonwealth Foundation for commenting on Colonel Miller’s flights to other states. Here is Matt Brouillette’s quote in…
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Read More: Even heroes can misspend other people’s money