State Budget

Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax Reform

  • Stephen Bloom

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…

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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.

Regulation

Why make state beholden to California?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2006

Sam Smith (House Majority Leader) Op-Ed in the Patriot News on the battle over using federal EPA or California standards for vehicle emissions. Also check out the memo…

Media

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Health Care

Shrink the Legislature to 8

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2006

The House Democratic Leadership Letter – from Bill DeWeese (Minority Leader) and Mike Veon (Minority Whip) calls upon the General Assembly to pass “Cover All Kids” because they (DeWese…

Media

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Health Care

Strong Rhetoric for Socialized Medicine

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2006

Governor Rendell’s Weekly Letter along with a Press Release demands legislators pass of his “Cover All Kids” proposal. His rhetoric is powerful (read Lowman Henry’s admission that…

Media

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Regulation

Action on State Regulations

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2006

The state Environmental Quality Board has pushed through a stricter mercury emissions rule for power plants that would likely increase the cost of electricity, jeopardize jobs, and has little…

Media

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Health Care

Fighting Universal Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 18, 2006

Coverage of yesterday’s press conference on the concerns about “Cover All Kids” – the Governor’s proposed universal health care coverage for children in the Morning Call. Also from…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Debunking Pessimistic Claims about Wages, Profits, and Wealth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

Heritage Foundation report examines claims that recent economic growth isn’t benefitting workers – i.e. “the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer”. The study finds, instead,…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Business Climate Attitudes Remain Low

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2006

The Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research released its Fall 2006 Business Climate Survey, a survey of business owners and managers. Overall, attitudes about the PA business climate remain…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

EDITORIAL | Begging the question

  • October 14, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorializes on the need to pursue REAL solutions to the transportation crisis. Unfortunately, “The Transportation Funding and Reform Commission should be named “The Beggar’s Opera” with…

Media

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Health Care

Health plan targets children

  • October 12, 2006

Lancaster Democrat Mike Sturla is pushing HillaryCareLite (“Cover All Kids”) in his district. Unfortunately, his Republican challenger doesn’t fully get it either. He said: “You are talking about pure…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Myth of Ethanol

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 11, 2006

Consumer Reports’ article finds that government mandates to use ethanol and new E85 cars – intended to create “energy independence” – has instead increased consumption of gasoline. The main…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Swann Tax Cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

A report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center on the revenue losses from Lynn Swann’s proposed tax cuts would seem to cast doubt on our projections. There…

Media

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Health Care

Uncovering Cover All Kids

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 10, 2006

This past summer, state legislative leaders sent Governor Rendell a letter promising legislation by October authorizing the Governor’s “Cover All Kids” initiative. They included over $2 million in the state…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Anti-pollution measures in for legislative battle

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 7, 2006

Alison Hawkes article on the battle over mercury and auto emissions standards. DEP plans to set higher standards than the federal requirement. While many legislators have objected, DEP’s decision…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Tax Cuts Helped the Poor

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2006

Waterbury Connecticut Republican-American editorial on the benefits of federal tax cuts on all income levels. It’s a point worth repeating, since those tax rates will go up if not…

Media

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