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
I-80 Lease Signed After Deadline
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 DeadlineTaxes & Economy
I-80 Lease Non-Compliant with the Law
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 LawEnergy
Energy Policy
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
Read More: Energy PolicyEnergy
The Hype for Energy Indebtedness
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
Read More: The Hype for Energy IndebtednessHealth Care
Health Care Reform: Diagnose, Then Prescribe
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 PrescribeTaxes & Economy
Minimum Wage COLAs: Overstated Benefits & Hidden Costs
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 CostsTaxes & Economy
For Our Safety: Repeal Act 44
Commonwealth Foundation urges Governor and General Assembly to fully fund PA’s transportation infrastructure, protect commuters and taxpayers HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation…
Press Release
Read More: For Our Safety: Repeal Act 44Education
Celebrating Freedom and School Choice: Honoring Dr. Milton Friedman
HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation and the REACH Foundation will honor Nobel Laureate economist Dr. Milton Friedman as part of the national Friedman Legacy for Freedom campaign on July…
Press Release
Read More: Celebrating Freedom and School Choice: Honoring Dr. Milton FriedmanTaxes & Economy
PAs Coming Transportation Taxes: When a user fee is a tax
HARRISBURG, PA — Lawmakers in Harrisburg are hailing a budget without tax increases, but the Commonwealth Foundation noted that the effect of the transportation funding proposal will be a significant…
Press Release
Read More: PAs Coming Transportation Taxes: When a user fee is a taxTaxes & Economy
Transportation Letter to Gov. Rendell and the General Assembly
CF expresses concerns over transportation bill July 14, 2007 The Honorable Edward G. RendellOffice of the GovernorCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaHarrisburg, PA 17120 Members of the General AssemblyCommonwealth…
Press Release
Read More: Transportation Letter to Gov. Rendell and the General AssemblyTaxes & Economy
Rushed Legislation is Usually Flawed Legislation
Commonwealth Foundation and Reason Foundation urge lawmakers to slow down on the transportation proposal MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the Pennsylvania State Senate, Members of the Pennsylvania House of RepresentativesFROM:…
Press Release
Read More: Rushed Legislation is Usually Flawed LegislationTaxes & Economy
Spending Diet Step #3: Stop Over-Taxing
Commonwealth Foundation calls on lawmakers to return the state’s $650 million surplus to taxpayers HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation called upon the General Assembly to return the state’s…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Spending Diet Step #3: Stop Over-TaxingTaxes & Economy
Higher Taxes, More Debt Coming Down the Pike
Commonwealth Foundation warns against transportation funding proposal Harrisburg, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation warned against the higher fees and long-term debt encompassed in the transportation funding proposals winding their…
Press Release
Read More: Higher Taxes, More Debt Coming Down the PikeEnergy
Energy Depletion
Ed Rendell has been in politics for too long. That is the only way to explain his apparent belief that Harrisburg politicians know more about which alternative energy prospects are…
Commentary
Read More: Energy DepletionTaxes & Economy
Property Seizures Threaten PA Small Business
Being a small business owner in Pennsylvania is not easy. There’s the punishing tax burden levied by state and local governments that see small firms not so much as vital…
Commentary
Read More: Property Seizures Threaten PA Small BusinessTaxes & Economy
How to Fix Mass Transit
In their final report, the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission wrote: The Commission concludes that no additional funding should be provided for highways, bridges and transit unless a series…
Commentary
Read More: How to Fix Mass TransitTaxes & Economy
Mass Transit Reform: Lessons for Pennsylvania
Executive Summary Pennsylvania’s two major public transit agencies, the Philadelphia-area Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and the Pittsburgh-based Port Authority Transit (PAT), have been in financial crisis for years, with…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Mass Transit Reform: Lessons for PennsylvaniaState Budget
Pennsylvania Families Need Government to Prioritize Spending
All families must learn to live within a budget. They understand that they can’t spend more than what they earn—at least not for very long. Frequently this means saying “No”…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Families Need Government to Prioritize SpendingTaxes & Economy
Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health
:: Fat Facts of the Week ::…
Commentary
Read More: Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic HealthTaxes & Economy
Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health
:: Fat Facts of the Week :: Taxpayer-funded handouts to major corporations are just one reason why state government spending is so obese. Consider just four examples of corporate welfare:…
Commentary
Read More: Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic HealthEducation
Taxpayer-Funded Preschool: Count the Costs
Governor Ed Rendell’s budget proposal for the 2007-08 fiscal year includes $75 million for “Pre-K Counts”—a taxpayer-funded program which would provide grants to school districts, Head Start programs, and government-approved…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Taxpayer-Funded Preschool: Count the Costs