High 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

Reagan’s Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 21, 2008

Spokesman for the Clinton campaign, one-time economist, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman attempts to denounce Barack Obama for even mentioning Ronald Reagan without espousing anger and hatred towards…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

U.S. Map of Religions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 19, 2008

This map of most common religious denomination by county from Mark Perry’s blog is fascinating. Only a smattering of counties have a majority of one religion/denomination (with clushers…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Gas Taxes Are High Enough

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 19, 2008

US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters in the WSJ on how the gas tax is high enough, and how public-private partnerships can be a solution to transportation funding needs.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

No Stimulus Gimmicks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 18, 2008

Following Wednesday’s post about the lack of any economic gains of a short term “economic stimulus” plan, here are a number of recent comments on the subject. A commentary…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

PA House Passes Tax Cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 17, 2008

With a unanimous 197-0 vote, the Pennsylvania House Passed HB 377 which would: Roll back the Personal Income Tax rate to 2.80% over two years Reduce the Corporate Net…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Tax Rebates Will Not Stimulate The Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 16, 2008

Heritage Foundation commentary on why neither tax “rebates” nor “ecnomic stimulous” spending would result in economic growth. Critics contend that rebates “inject” new money into the economy, increasing…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Turnpike lease and ‘foreign’ companies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 16, 2008

The latest news that Senate President pro tem Joe Scanarti will be introducing a “hybrid” Turnpike lease plan (Tribune Review story), which appears to be different that Senator…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Ethanol Fallacy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 15, 2008

Popular Mechanics on The Ethanol Fallacy: So what should the government do? First off: no harm. Instead of trying to mandate specific technologies—and risk locking us into…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Study on “Toll Road Privatization”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 15, 2008

A study by researchers from Penn State and Wayne State makes the claim that toll road privatization will cause several negative impacts. However, they don’t actually study “toll road…

Media

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Health Care

“Cover All Pennsylvanians” Covers Very Few

  • January 14, 2008

Governor Rendell’s proposed “Cover All Pennsylvanians” claims to provide health insurance for an Administration-estimated 800,000 currently uninsured Pennsylvania adults at a cost of $1 billion dollars in just four years.

Fact Sheet

Read More: “Cover All Pennsylvanians” Covers Very Few

Taxes & Economy

Why Calendars Matter

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 13, 2008

The latest story of Capitol Calendars bought at taxpayer expenses is a Tribune-Review article on Catherine Baker Knoll (as president of the Senate) getting her share. Other recent stories…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

More on cutting PA Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 11, 2008

Press Enterprise editorial on the proposal to cut the income tax in Pennsylvania: You won’t hear anything even remotely like it when Big Ed makes his annual…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Benefits of Reducing the Personal Income Tax

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • January 10, 2008

Thank you Chairman Turzai, Rep. Quigley, and members of the House Republican Policy Committee for the invitation to share with you why the Commonwealth Foundation believes that reducing taxes…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

I-80 lease signed BEFORE details were finalized?

  • October 19, 2007

HARRISBURG, PA — Today, more troubling information was revealed in the ongoing dispute over whether or not the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)…

Press Release

Read More: I-80 lease signed BEFORE details were finalized?

Taxes & Economy

I-80 Lease Signed After Deadline

  • October 18, 2007

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s statements support Commonwealth Foundation’s assertions HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation reasserted its claim that a lease agreement between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC)…

Press Release

Read More: I-80 Lease Signed After Deadline

Taxes & Economy

I-80 Lease Non-Compliant with the Law

  • October 17, 2007

Governor should declare agreement “null and void,” says Commonwealth Foundation. HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation called on Gov. Ed Rendell and the General Assembly to declare the…

Press Release

Read More: I-80 Lease Non-Compliant with the Law

Energy

Energy Policy

  • September 25, 2007

Governor Ed Rendell has proposed issuing $850 million in new debt to subsidize select “alternative energy” companies and energy conservation efforts, along with a mandate that every gallon of…

Fact Sheet

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Energy

The Hype for Energy Indebtedness

  • September 17, 2007

Governor Ed Rendell contends that his energy policy will help the Commonwealth attain “energy independence.” Don’t believe the hype. His plan imposes new taxes to cover the costs…

Commentary

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Health Care

Health Care Reform: Diagnose, Then Prescribe

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 10, 2007

Following the latest Census Bureau report that 47 million Americans are without health insurance, the talking heads and newspaper editorial boards are renewing their call for “something to…

Commentary

Read More: Health Care Reform: Diagnose, Then Prescribe

Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage COLAs: Overstated Benefits & Hidden Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 22, 2007

Support for minimum wage increases is based on the idea that a higher minimum wage will “help the poor” by increasing their pay and lifting them out of poverty.

Commentary

Read More: Minimum Wage COLAs: Overstated Benefits & Hidden Costs