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.
Health Care
Maine’s Failed Health Reforms
Greg Scandlen weighs in on the failure of Maine’s Dirigo Care program: 1. After 20 months of operation only 11,000 were enrolled in DirigoChoice (out of a total…
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Read More: Maine’s Failed Health ReformsState Budget
Put Government on a Spending Diet
Commonwealth Foundation analysis finds $6.7 billion in “unhealthy“ state spending HARRISBURG, PA — Today, in anticipation of Governor Rendell’s 2008-09 budget proposal, the Commonwealth Foundation released Government on a Diet:…
Press Release
Read More: Put Government on a Spending DietTaxes & Economy
Rendell’s Extreme Makeover
Jerry Bowyer’s op/ed on Governor Rendell’s extreme makeover – from a Philadelphia mayor who was: a leading “new Democrat” who had outsourced over 40 government functions, stared down…
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Bush Revises Stimulus Deal to ‘Rebate All of It’
Great fake news from ScrappleFace “It just makes sense,â€? said White House spokesman Dana Perino, “that if $800 per person would stimulate the economy, then giving back…
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How important are elections?
Here are a couple of good commentaries on the importance of politics and elections. Though they draw the opposite conclusion, they follow a similar theme, and I find myself agreeing…
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Economic Freedom and Prosperity
The Heritage Foundation, in conjuction with the Wall Street Journal, released the Index of Economic Freedom 2008. The rankings have not change dramatically from past years, but what I…
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Reagan’s Economy
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…
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U.S. Map of Religions
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
Read More: U.S. Map of ReligionsTaxes & Economy
Gas Taxes Are High Enough
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.
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No Stimulus Gimmicks
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…
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PA House Passes Tax Cuts
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…
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Tax Rebates Will Not Stimulate The Economy
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…
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Turnpike lease and ‘foreign’ companies
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…
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The Ethanol Fallacy
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…
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Study on “Toll Road Privatization”
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
Read More: Study on “Toll Road Privatization”Health Care
“Cover All Pennsylvanians” Covers Very Few
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 FewTaxes & Economy
Why Calendars Matter
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…
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Cutting state income tax will result in job growth
Adapted version of Matt Brouillette’s testimony appears in today’s Allentown Morning Call…
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More on cutting PA Taxes
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…
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Benefits of Reducing the Personal Income Tax
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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I-80 lease signed BEFORE details were finalized?
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?