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.
State Budget
Tax Reforms Not Football Will Keep People in Pa.
The Steelers may not be the most recent Pennsylvania team to win a Super Bowl, but that doesn’t stop them from having the second highest out-of-state fan base. The…
Media
Read More: Tax Reforms Not Football Will Keep People in Pa.State Budget
Protecting Pa.’s Future: The Taxpayer Protection Act
Pennsylvanians currently owe more than $128 billion in state and local debt—an astounding $10,015 for every man, woman, and child. Yet, our state government is raking in more revenue from…
Media
Read More: Protecting Pa.’s Future: The Taxpayer Protection ActRegulation
House Tackles Pa.’s Heavy Regulatory Burden
Despite record low unemployment and rising wages, three-quarters of Pennsylvania counties have lost residents to other counties and states. Why? One key factor is our poor business climate. According…
Media
Read More: House Tackles Pa.’s Heavy Regulatory BurdenTaxes & Economy
Let’s Shoot for “Maximum Wages” All Around
My family knows first-hand the effects of the minimum wage—on consumers and workers alike. In January 2014, New Jersey raised its minimum wage, and workers celebrated their increased wages. However,…
Media
Read More: Let’s Shoot for “Maximum Wages” All AroundTaxes & Economy
Nuclear Subsidies: Grabbing Defeat from the Jaws of Victory
Sales pitches often downplay the cost of the product, so smart buyers have to look beyond the advertised price. For instance, when you purchase a home, you consider the sales…
Media
Read More: Nuclear Subsidies: Grabbing Defeat from the Jaws of VictoryTaxes & Economy
Which Pa. Counties are Attracting Residents?
How many people are moving into and out of Pennsylvania counties? New data on county population estimates released by the US Census Bureau last week answer that question. Much…
Media
Read More: Which Pa. Counties are Attracting Residents?Criminal Justice Reform
Moving Toward Efficient, Effective Criminal Justice
The economy is growing, but Pennsylvania just keeps sinking deeper into debt. Since 1970, we’ve tripled our overall operating budget—but our population has grown only 8 percent. Even adjusting for…
Media
Read More: Moving Toward Efficient, Effective Criminal JusticeTaxes & Economy
Guest Post: How Philly’s Brutal Tax Policies Drive Away Jobs
Businesses and people vote with their feet. As a long-time Philadelphian, I have unfortunately witnessed my neighbors taking their livelihoods to the suburbs—or beyond. Politicians cast the blame here and…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: How Philly’s Brutal Tax Policies Drive Away JobsCriminal Justice Reform
Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort
Here's a letter I submitted to the Philadelphia Daily News on how Pennsylvanians of any ideology can share good intent, and work toward a common goal. I was disappointed…
Media
Read More: Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan EffortTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania, Let’s Make our Taxes an Investment
What do we get for our taxes in Pennsylvania? The question is rarely asked—because the answer is just too painful. But as Tax Day approaches, it's time for taxpayers to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania, Let’s Make our Taxes an InvestmentState Budget
It’s Time to Tackle Debt
An ostrich burying its head in the sand is a classic analogy for avoiding difficult decisions. Though this is a mischaracterization—their heads are buried to protect their eggs from predators—the metaphor…
Media
Read More: It’s Time to Tackle DebtTaxes & Economy
New Evidence Shows Work is the Path to Prosperity
Poverty and unemployment are vicious cycles. The longer you remain unemployed, the harder it is to find work—and poverty becomes more entrenched. As the Urban Institute puts it, “long-term…
Media
Read More: New Evidence Shows Work is the Path to ProsperityEducation
Economic Growth or Education OpportunityWhy not Both
In a recent Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed, Mark Gleason explains that growing the economy and expanding educational opportunity are complementary, not competing goals: When it comes to preparing our children…
Media
Read More: Economic Growth or Education OpportunityWhy not BothTaxes & Economy
First Do No Harm to Pa.’s Energy Sector
Pennsylvania’s energy industry is growing, but state government intervention through new taxes or special interest bailouts would threaten the positive trends of job growth and low energy prices. Pennsylvania ranked…
Media
Read More: First Do No Harm to Pa.’s Energy SectorHealth Care
Work Requirements Can Help Solve Pa.’s Workforce Challenges
The mismatch between job openings, workers’ skills, and workers’ expectations is a hot topic in the national and state media. As our CEO Charles Mitchell pointed out…
Media
Read More: Work Requirements Can Help Solve Pa.’s Workforce ChallengesState Budget
Rein in Spending, So Pa.’s Economy Can Race
My daughter recently started horseback riding lessons. She’s learning how to hold the reins with enough give for the horse to move but tight enough that the horse follows her directions. Like…
Media
Read More: Rein in Spending, So Pa.’s Economy Can RaceRegulation
5 Facts on the Proposed Nuclear Power Bailout
Should Pennsylvanians pay more for electricity to benefit nuclear power companies? A group of lawmakers are proposing a new category to our renewable energy mandates known as the Alternative…
Media
Read More: 5 Facts on the Proposed Nuclear Power BailoutTaxes & Economy
Raising Minimum Wage Causes Job Loss
In his 2019 budget address, Governor Wolf lamented “too many hardworking people are struggling to get by.” The solution is attracting high-wage jobs and encouraging more Pennsylvanians to gain valuable…
Media
Read More: Raising Minimum Wage Causes Job LossState Budget
The Taxpayer Protection Act: An Updated Legislator’s Guide
Pennsylvanians pay $4,589 per person in state and local taxes, which equals 10.2 percent of residents’ total income. This trend must be reversed by restraining spending growth through long-term reforms…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act: An Updated Legislator’s GuideTaxes & Economy
Pa. Small Businesses Show Tax Reform is Key to Greater Prosperity
Keystone Clippers has exceeded expectations. Owner Al Rodriguez is now “ahead of the game” due to last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He has added…
Media
Read More: Pa. Small Businesses Show Tax Reform is Key to Greater ProsperityState Budget
Wolf’s Budget Rhetoric a Relief, but Doesn’t Match Reality
Charles Mitchell, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Wolf’s fifth budget address: What a change four years and nine defeated…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf’s Budget Rhetoric a Relief, but Doesn’t Match Reality