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
5 Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s 2019 Budget
1. Dramatic cost overruns lead to a $86 billion budget. Gov. Wolf proposed a $34.146 billion General Fund budget and a total operating budget of $85.804 billion.
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Read More: 5 Takeaways from Gov. Wolf’s 2019 BudgetPublic Union Democracy
Why There’s “Money in Politics”
The recent public corruption indictment of John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, leader of the IBEW 98 labor union, Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon, and a slew of other IBEW leaders shows…
Media
Read More: Why There’s “Money in Politics”Regulation
New Report Shows Shortcomings of Corporate Welfare
Pennsylvania moviegoers who bought tickets for M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass last weekend paid more than the price of the ticket. They paid with their taxes. According to the Department of…
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Read More: New Report Shows Shortcomings of Corporate WelfareState Budget
Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the Economy
Revenue collections are $400 million above projections. Next year’s budget should be easy to balance. Instead, lawmakers are looking at a projected $1.7 billion deficit. Why? Pennsylvania continues…
Memo
Read More: Five Ways to Promote Prosperity & Grow the EconomyCriminal Justice Reform
Pennsylvania State Budget Trends
On February 5, Governor Wolf will lay out his proposal for the 2019-20 state budget. Here are some key facts on spending trends, last year’s enacted budget, and challenges going…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget TrendsRegulation
College Kids Don’t Need Incentive to Learn About Beer
Anyone hoping to enjoy a cold drink from their favorite brewery this summer should prepare to spend a little more. Beginning July 1, a 6 percent tax will be…
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Read More: College Kids Don’t Need Incentive to Learn About BeerCriminal Justice Reform
Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of King
It’s been a shame that we’ve collectively spent so much time this month talking about the wrong King (Rep. Steve King) and views that harken back to our worst…
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Read More: Today’s Opportunities in the Spirit of KingHealth Care
Arkansas Latest to Demonstrate Power of Work Over Poverty
Once again, incomes are rising, tax revenue is up, and welfare enrollment is shrinking thanks to work requirements. A recent analysis from the Foundation for Government Accountability finds Arkansas’s…
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Read More: Arkansas Latest to Demonstrate Power of Work Over PovertyCriminal Justice Reform
Punitive Occupational Licensing Laws Bar Pennsylvanians from Work
Pennsylvania’s occupational licensing laws are keeping two Philadelphia women out of work. Courtney Haveman and Amanda Spillane have sued the commonwealth after the Pennsylvania Cosmetology Board denied their cosmetology licenses…
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Read More: Punitive Occupational Licensing Laws Bar Pennsylvanians from WorkCriminal Justice Reform
Pa. Prison Population Plummets by Most in History
Pennsylvania’s prison population dropped by 1,068 individuals in 2018, according to new Department of Corrections numbers—the sharpest decline ever recorded. The number of incarcerated Pennsylvanians declined in six of…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Prison Population Plummets by Most in HistoryHealth Care
Federal Food Stamp Fix Good Fit for Pa.
Jobs and money form the foundation of many a New Year’s resolution. Now, due to proposed federal SNAP (food stamp) changes, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians could experience a brighter…
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Read More: Federal Food Stamp Fix Good Fit for Pa.Criminal Justice Reform
The Next Step for Criminal Justice Reform
In an op-ed last week, CF’s president Charles Mitchell and former CF board chair Jane Janeczek offered an appraisal of the First Step Act signed by President Trump on…
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Read More: The Next Step for Criminal Justice ReformTaxes & Economy
Residents are Still Leaving the Keystone State
Residents are fleeing Pennsylvania for other states, continuing a long and harmful trend. Pennsylvania’s population grew by a scant 0.13 percent last year, according to new Census Bureau estimates—but…
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Read More: Residents are Still Leaving the Keystone StateCriminal Justice Reform
The Justice Reinvestment Initiative II
The Justice Reinvestment Initiative recommends fair and effective punishments that equip offenders for life, while controlling costs and improving safety.
Poll
Read More: The Justice Reinvestment Initiative IITaxes & Economy
Santa and the Grinch visit Pennsylvania?s Energy Sector
The last two years brought renewed investment in Pennsylvania’s energy industry, but these shiny gifts remain threatened by grinchy taxes, fees, and regulations. Among the gifts are the…
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Read More: Santa and the Grinch visit Pennsylvania?s Energy SectorTaxes & Economy
Trump Administration’s Food Stamp Changes Could Affect 59 Pa. Counties
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to strengthen existing work requirements for work-capable adults in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps). The rule change…
Press Release
Read More: Trump Administration’s Food Stamp Changes Could Affect 59 Pa. CountiesHealth Care
Affordable Care Act Struggles Continue: Sarah’s Health Care Story
Sarah is a social service worker from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where she and her husband also homeschool their four young children. For four years her family received insurance through Medicaid.
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Read More: Affordable Care Act Struggles Continue: Sarah’s Health Care StoryRegulation
Taking the First Step Toward Pension Reform in 2017-18
In the Christmas classic Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, the Winter Warlock despairs, “It is so difficult to make a change.” Kris Kringle disagrees, “It’s as easy as taking…
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Read More: Taking the First Step Toward Pension Reform in 2017-18Taxes & Economy
Facts Refute Gov. Wolf’s Climate Change Concern
Editor's Note: A version of this blog was also published in the Daily Caller and appeared at NaturalGasNow.org. When Gov. Wolf uses the past…
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Read More: Facts Refute Gov. Wolf’s Climate Change ConcernHealth Care
Pursuing Permanent Poverty Solutions: 2018-17 Welfare & Health Care Reforms
Today, we continue our recap of the 2017-18 legislature by looking at the largest and most poorly understood aspect of state government, welfare and health care. Human services spending amounts…
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Read More: Pursuing Permanent Poverty Solutions: 2018-17 Welfare & Health Care ReformsTaxes & Economy
Bureaucrats are Keeping Pennsylvanians Dependent on Food Stamps
Great things are happening in our economy, including more job opportunities and rising incomes. Yet, Pennsylvania is continuing to see near-record food stamp enrollment. The Census Bureau's newly-released American…
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Read More: Bureaucrats are Keeping Pennsylvanians Dependent on Food Stamps