
Prosperity
New Year, New Taxes in Pennsylvania
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania The new year is always a great opportunity to shed vices like smoking and binge eating. For state and local lawmakers, their guilty pleasure tends…
Read More: New Year, New Taxes in PennsylvaniaHigh 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
Opportunities for State Medicaid Reform
New Report on state Medicaid reforms from the NCPA. “At the rate the program is growing, it is on a course to consume the entire budgets of state governments…
Media
Read More: Opportunities for State Medicaid ReformTaxes & Economy
Cramer Parking/HIA Eminent Domain Case
The Patriot News reports that the legal standoff between Cramer Airport Parking may be resolved, if the airport agrees to one of three solutions that would allow them to…
Media
Read More: Cramer Parking/HIA Eminent Domain CaseTaxes & Economy
Townhall.com::Wages of Stagnation
Bruce Bartlett Commentary on economic gains of workers and households: “In short, despite all the talk about the rich getting richer at the expense of the poor, the fact…
Media
Read More: Townhall.com::Wages of StagnationHealth Care
States could be overwhelmed by health care burden
AP Story on how the cost of health care plans for retired state workers will be enormous across the nation, as preliminary numbers (required by new GASB rules) roll…
Media
Read More: States could be overwhelmed by health care burdenTaxes & Economy
The Estimated Impact of the Swann Tax Cuts
Executive Summary Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann has proposed a number of changes to state tax rates. This analysis focuses on four major components of that proposal—namely reductions in the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Estimated Impact of the Swann Tax CutsTaxes & Economy
Ethanol: Bumper Crop for Agribusiness, Bitter Harvest for Taxpayers
NTU Report on how ethanol subsidies and mandates are driving up the costs for taxpayers on gasoline, taxes, and food.
Media
Read More: Ethanol: Bumper Crop for Agribusiness, Bitter Harvest for TaxpayersState Budget
How States are Solving the Tax and Spending Problem
An overview of the provisions of various tax and spending limit initiatives on the ballot in other states, from the National Taxpayers Union.
Media
Read More: How States are Solving the Tax and Spending ProblemTaxes & Economy
The Invisible Hand at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart, the epitome of greed and all that is evil in the world, is doing what government and Medicare part D cannot – make prescription drugs more affordable. Read the…
Media
Read More: The Invisible Hand at Wal-MartHealth Care
Why Are Health Costs Rising?
Brief analysis of the rising costs of health care from NCPA.
Media
Read More: Why Are Health Costs Rising?State Budget
Transportation Pork
Here is the listing of the $706 million in federal Transportation Earmarks for PA cited in my testimony today.
Media
Read More: Transportation PorkTaxes & Economy
State senator suggests pumping up gasoline tax – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Why is that the ONLY solution politicians can come up with to solve a “funding crisis” is to raise taxes? Today, Nate Benefield will provide the Pennsylvania Transportation…
Media
Read More: State senator suggests pumping up gasoline tax – Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewTaxes & Economy
Tougher emissions rule in PA?
FAQ about the news proposed standards and its effects.Coverage of the standards and the decision making process.
Media
Read More: Tougher emissions rule in PA?Public Union Democracy
What to do About the Transportation Crisis?
The Pennsylvania Transportation and Funding Reform Commission is currently holding hearings on the funding “crisis” in transportation. From 1995-96 to 2005-06, while inflation increased 28%, transportation spending in the state…
Commentary
Read More: What to do About the Transportation Crisis?Taxes & Economy
Wal-Mart and Chicago
Following Chicago Major Daley’s 1st ever veto, the city council is reconsidering the law they passed requiring “Big Box Retailers” to pay a “living wage” and benefits. Investor’s Business…
Media
Read More: Wal-Mart and ChicagoTaxes & Economy
Why are people rich?
A study, summarized by NCPA, takes on the critics of free markets, with some common sense finding. While some on the left insist that “the rich are getting richer…
Media
Read More: Why are people rich?Taxes & Economy
Total Cost of Pennsylvania State & Local Government
The total cost of state and local government in Pennsylvania reached an estimated $108.3 billion in FY 2005-06, and will likely exceed $130 billion by FY 2010-11 (by conservative projections).
Fact Sheet
Read More: Total Cost of Pennsylvania State & Local GovernmentTaxes & Economy
Rendell Looks to Raise Taxes on Oil Companies in Pennsylvania
From The Tax Foundation.
Media
Read More: Rendell Looks to Raise Taxes on Oil Companies in PennsylvaniaTaxes & Economy
Property Tax Relief that Isn’t
The new property tax “relief” plan, Act 1, is already taking heat for not providing much relief – even for senior citizens, the group targetted for immediate relief – based…
Media
Read More: Property Tax Relief that Isn’tHealth Care
Will Mandatory Health Insurance Work?
NCPA Analysis of Health Insurance Mandates, such as the new Massachusetts law and proposals discussed at recent hearings in Pennsylvania. Bottom line: they won’t work, and they could drive…
Media
Read More: Will Mandatory Health Insurance Work?Taxes & Economy
Incomes and Politics
Wall Street Journal article on income disparity and inconsistent political rhetoric.
Media
Read More: Incomes and PoliticsTaxes & Economy
Household Income Analysis
Interesting note by the The Tax Foundation on recent household income data. While a recent Census Report indicates that real median household income (adjusted for inflation) has declined since…
Media
Read More: Household Income Analysis