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

Living Large

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 10, 2008

ReasonTV video with Drew Carey on America’s middle class.

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Taxes & Economy

Study: Ethanol may add to global warming

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 8, 2008

Another study finds that ethanol and biofuels are not “green” and will only increase greenhouse gasses: The study said that after taking into account expected worldwide land-use changes,…

Media

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Health Care

Health Insurance Mandate Update

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 8, 2008

Wall Street Journal op-ed by CAHI researchers on the cost of the 1,961 health insurance mandates. A health-insurance “mandate” is a legislative requirement that an insurance company or…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Federal Stimulus=$300K per job

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 7, 2008

The Heritage Foundation Foundry Blog sums up the “economic stimulus” package just passed by the US Senate. OMB Director Jim Nussle (advocating in favor of the stimulus package),…

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Taxes & Economy

Proposed PA Budget Details

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 7, 2008

For all the budget watchers and number-crunchers out there, here are some additional budget resources: Spreadsheet with all the line items from the proposed General Fund Budget (Microsoft Excel…

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Taxes & Economy

Is Rendell Nuts?

  • February 7, 2008

Pennsylvania governor confuses taxpayers with leprechauns HARRISBURG, PA — In Gov. Ed Rendell’s FY 2008-09 budget address, he called for higher and new taxes that, if passed by the…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Are You Nuts Governor?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 7, 2008

Governor Ed Rendell goes ballistic on KDKA reporter Jon Delano, asking “Are you nuts, Jon? Are you nuts?” (watch the incredible Video Clip) Delano’s sanity is in question…

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Taxes & Economy

Change in plan to cut tax angers Pa. business owners

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2008

Governor Rendell’s budget calls for another slowdown of the Corporate Stock and Franchise Tax phaseout. While this isn’t technically a tax increase – rather represents less of a reduction…

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Health Care

Cover A Few Pennsylvanians update

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2008

A few weeks ago, we put out some quick facts about the few Pennsylvanians that would be covered by “Cover All Pennsylvanians.” Based on the new Governor’s budget, we…

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Government Accountability

Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunched

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2008

The Liberty Index, now produced by the Conservative Reform PAC was released today, rating all state legislators and Governor Rendell on legislation through the end 2007. Hat Tip…

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Taxes & Economy

Grow the Economy, Not Government

  • February 5, 2008

Rendell misplaces his faith in government to stimulate the economy HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment in Gov. Ed Rendell’s FY 2008-09 budget proposal that would…

Press Release

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Health Care

Rendell still pushing RendellCare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2008

Within the last few weeks, three state health care proposals fundamentally similar to Governor Rendell’s “Cover All Pennsylvanians” added to my “bad ideas pile” California legislators overwhelming rejected…

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Regulation

Rendell’s Stimulus

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2008

Yesterday, Gov. Rendell announced his wealth redistribution scheme, which he calls “economic stimulus”. His plan includes Cash welfare payments: Rendell is proposing spending $130 million (borrowing it from the…

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Education

Budget Preview

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2008

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story previews Rendell’s budget proposal, including “Rebuilding Pennsylvania”, involving a three-year, $860 million ($287/year average) in new spending on infrastructure, mostly through new borrowing. He also promises…

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Health Care

Equity and Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 4, 2008

Wall Street Journal editorial looks at reforming health care through the tax code. That is, giving individuals the same tax benefits in buying health insurance as employers, along with…

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Taxes & Economy

Climate Debate Daily

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 2, 2008

New website, Climate Debate Daily, features the latest updates on the debate over global warming – what is occuring, why it is occuring, and what to do about it…

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Taxes & Economy

Understanding the Laffer Curve

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 2, 2008

Center for Freedom and Propserity provides this video on the Laffer Curve. The key points are that 1)Most tax cuts spur economic growth and provide “feedback” tax revenue. 2)…

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Regulation

$47 million for Soccer?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2008

Lowman Henry writes on the Lincoln Blog that $47 million for a soccer stadium doesn’t seem like a good use of tax dollars, and responds to some email comments…

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Taxes & Economy

Government on a Diet – ABC 27 coverage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2008

ABC 27 Video on our report Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2008 Please make sure your flash player is up to date. Click here…

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Taxes & Economy

Groundhog Duel – Taxpayer Funded Website

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2008

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office has a new website: Groundhog Duel. The website features a video about two 6’2″ men wearing groundhog costumes collecting bling-bling and hooking up with gorgeous…

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