Education
Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
Read More: Lawmakers can ease financial worries of PennsylvaniansHigh 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
Perception v. Reality Check on Pennsylvania’s Economy
Yesterday, Elizabeth noted how Pennsylvania lost 13,000 college-educated millennials to other states in 2015. Overall, Pennsylvania lost 45,000 residents in interstate migration last year. Why are millennials and…
Media
Read More: Perception v. Reality Check on Pennsylvania’s EconomyState Budget
News Release: 5 Ways State Government Can Help Small Businesses Grow
“Jobs that pay” is one of Gov. Wolf’s three key priorities. But who creates these jobs? Not government. Small businesses provide 55 percent of all jobs and account for 66…
Media
Read More: News Release: 5 Ways State Government Can Help Small Businesses GrowTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Self-Inflicted Lobotomy
Every day, 36 college graduates flee Pennsylvania for better opportunities in other states, according to a new Independent Fiscal Office trends report. Overall, there was a net outflow of…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Self-Inflicted LobotomyState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2017
Pennsylvania’s financial problems continue to mount. April’s revenue collections were well below the Department of Revenue’s official estimate, which means the state’s deficit will likely be larger than expected.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: May 2017Regulation
Should Pennsylvania Subsidize Horse Racing?
Last month the House passed a General Fund budget that included more than $56 million in corporate welfare reductions. At the time, we indicated even more reductions were possible given…
Media
Read More: Should Pennsylvania Subsidize Horse Racing?Education
Ten Reasons for Optimism
This week state lawmakers advanced a plethora of good policy, from legislation to finally end the government liquor monopoly to a bill that would improve health care in rural areas.
Media
Read More: Ten Reasons for OptimismRegulation
The Keystone State of Corporate Welfare
Pennsylvania’s corporate welfare culture is pervasive. The state has the dubious distinction of leading the nation in subsidy payments since 2007—without getting much in return. This large transfer of wealth…
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Read More: The Keystone State of Corporate WelfareState Budget
Adventures in State Budget Wonderland
In Lewis Carroll’s classic wonderland tale, Alice famously asks the Cheshire Cat, “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” the…
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Read More: Adventures in State Budget WonderlandHealth Care
A New Wave of Welfare Reform
Governors across the country are proposing game-changing welfare reforms and Pennsylvania should follow their example. Yesterday, Maine submitted a waiver to the federal government asking for permission…
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Read More: A New Wave of Welfare ReformTaxes & Economy
News Release: Senate Committee Advances Vape Tax Fix
Today, in the latest attempt to fix an onerous tax responsible for as many as 100 vape shop closures across the state, the Senate Finance Committee advanced SB…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: Senate Committee Advances Vape Tax FixRegulation
Following Zippo’s Lead on Pensions
Zippo’s recent retirement plan transition is another example of why Pennsylvania state government should do the same. As Zippo CFO Don Hall said, defined contribution plans like 401(k)s carry…
Media
Read More: Following Zippo’s Lead on PensionsState Budget
Pa.’s Economic Outlook is Poor but Not Permanent
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) released its annual Rich States, Poor States’ report, which includes economic rankings for each state. Unfortunately, the news isn’t good for Pennsylvania. The state…
Media
Read More: Pa.’s Economic Outlook is Poor but Not PermanentState Budget
News Release: Pa. Spends Nearly One-Third of Year Working to Pay Taxes
April 18 was this year’s tax return filing deadline, but how long do Pennsylvanians work to earn enough to pay their total tax bill? In 2017, that date—dubbed Tax Freedom…
Press Release
Read More: News Release: Pa. Spends Nearly One-Third of Year Working to Pay TaxesRegulation
The Strong Case for?and Weak Case Against?Pension Reform
Pennsylvania’s public pension plans are woefully underfunded, with enough assets to cover just 60 percent of liabilities. This poor financial showing has relegated the commonwealth to the bottom of the Tax Foundation’s ranking of…
Media
Read More: The Strong Case for?and Weak Case Against?Pension ReformHealth Care
Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower Costs
All Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality, affordable health care. That's why it was encouraging to see the Senate advance SB 25 out of the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee.
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Read More: Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower CostsHealth Care
Reforming Medicaid Is a Moral Imperative
Note: This op-ed was originally published in the Lancaster LNP. Do you know someone who desperately needs medical care but can’t access it? Few things are more heartbreaking. Helping people…
Media
Read More: Reforming Medicaid Is a Moral ImperativeRegulation
Op-Ed: End Perks for the Politically Connected
We deserve better than a system that favors the politically connected. An environment where people can advance based on merit, not lobbying prowess, will put cities like Scranton back on…
Commentary
Read More: Op-Ed: End Perks for the Politically ConnectedState Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2017
Revenue collections fell below expectations for the fifth consecutive month. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reported collections of approximately $4.4 billion last week, which was $229.6 million less than…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2017Regulation
A Guide to Corporate Welfare in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's culture of corporate welfare is pervasive. The current system rewards businesses for their lobbying prowess rather than their ability to effectively serve consumers' needs.
Commentary
Read More: A Guide to Corporate Welfare in PennsylvaniaRegulation
House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal Stewardship
House Republicans committed to changing Pennsylvania yesterday. The caucus released its proposed 2017-18 budget, which stands in stark contrast to Gov. Wolf’s tax-and-spend proposals. The House Appropriations Committee has…
Media
Read More: House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal StewardshipState Budget
Should Pennsylvania Strive to Become #51?
Political realities forced Gov. Wolf to scale back his record tax-and-spend proposals from the past two years. Still, he didn’t completely abandon his government-centric approach, opting to include $1…
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Read More: Should Pennsylvania Strive to Become #51?