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
The $20 Billion Energy Tax
More than ten years after its passage, Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards continue to stunt our economy. The standards cost the state $4 billion annually, according to a study…
Media
Read More: The $20 Billion Energy TaxEducation
Sugary Drink Tax: Not So Sweet for Philadelphia
Such a believer is Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney in universal preschool that he supports a punitive tax on low-income residents to pay for it. During his stint on City…
Media
Read More: Sugary Drink Tax: Not So Sweet for PhiladelphiaEnergy
Philly Should Reject Mayor’s Tax-a-Cola Plan
Mayor Kenney’s soda tax would nearly double the average cost of a 12-pack of soda – hitting hardest those who least can afford it, not to mention small retailers, bottlers,…
Commentary
Read More: Philly Should Reject Mayor’s Tax-a-Cola PlanHealth Care
Free Market Solution Expands Access to Care
Harmful regulations prevent Pennsylvania’s nurse practitioners—highly-trained medical professionals who interpret diagnostic tests, treat chronic conditions, and prescribe medication—from doing what they do best: providing quality health care for patients in…
Media
Read More: Free Market Solution Expands Access to CareTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvanians Flee from High Taxes
New census figures paint a sobering picture. In 2015 alone, Pennsylvania lost 41,600 residents to other states in net migration. This amounts to one person every 12.5 minutes, nearly…
Memo
Read More: Pennsylvanians Flee from High TaxesPublic Union Democracy
Pension Debt Grows by Another Billion
Last week the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS) announced its total unfunded liability increased from $18.44 billion in 2015 to $18.79 billion. In truth, SERS'…
Media
Read More: Pension Debt Grows by Another BillionRegulation
Time to End Corporate Welfare Handouts
Conservatives loathe government handouts. Liberals denounce special favors to corporations. One thing can unify these two sides: ending Pennsylvania’s budget-busting corporate welfare handouts.
Commentary
Read More: Time to End Corporate Welfare HandoutsState Budget
Middle Class Loses Under Gov. Wolf’s Budget
The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released a sober analysis of Gov. Wolf’s 2016-17 budget proposal. It examines the consequences of eight separate tax increases as well as a minimum…
Media
Read More: Middle Class Loses Under Gov. Wolf’s BudgetEducation
Budget Complete as Fiscal Code Becomes Law
Late on Friday afternoon, Gov. Tom Wolf quietly announced the fiscal code will become law without his signature. This significant development closes the door on a tumultuous year of…
Media
Read More: Budget Complete as Fiscal Code Becomes LawTaxes & Economy
(Un)Happy Tax Freedom Day!
(Un)Happy Tax Freedom Day! If you thought Tax Day was April 15, think again. Today, April 22, is actually the day by which Pennsylvanians…
Media
Read More: (Un)Happy Tax Freedom Day!Regulation
How Ridesharing Helps the Poor and Disabled
Earlier this week, I used Uber to get a ride in downtown Philadelphia. Curious, I asked my driver how long he’d been driving for Uber. “Two years,” he told me,…
Media
Read More: How Ridesharing Helps the Poor and DisabledTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvanians Spend Nearly One-Third of Year Paying Taxes
Pennsylvanians Spend Nearly One-Third of Year Paying Taxes Tax Bills Exceed Spending on Housing, Clothing, & Food Combined April 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—If you thought Tax Day was…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvanians Spend Nearly One-Third of Year Paying TaxesState Budget
Take the Budget off Autopilot
As Pennsylvania inches closer to another budget battle, you’re likely to hear the term “structural deficit” used more often. The term is defined as a multi-year shortfall between projected spending and revenue…
Media
Read More: Take the Budget off AutopilotState Budget
Five Ways to Avoid Another Budget Hostage Crisis
The state budget impasse may be over, but Pennsylvanians are still reeling from Gov. Wolf’s budget vetoes. The Times-Tribune reports the Women’s Resource Center of Scranton, which serves domestic…
Media
Read More: Five Ways to Avoid Another Budget Hostage CrisisState Budget
The Lone-Wolf Doctrine
The good news at the end of longest state budget impasse in 60 years is Pennsylvanians’ wallets were spared. The bad news? The governor developed and implemented a Lone-Wolf Doctrine…
Commentary
Read More: The Lone-Wolf DoctrineEducation
Governor Wolf’s 2015-16 Budget Myths
Governor Wolf claimed the 2015-16 budget could not be balanced without significant tax hikes. But there are two ways exist to close a budget deficit: raise revenue or cut spending.
Memo
Read More: Governor Wolf’s 2015-16 Budget MythsGovernment Accountability
Poll: Wolf Approval Plummets, Far Lower Than Corbett or Rendell at Same Point
Poll: Wolf Approval Plummets, Lower Than Corbett or Rendell at Same Point 35 Percent Approve, 52 Percent Disapprove in Latest Q-Poll April 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Following the…
Press Release
Read More: Poll: Wolf Approval Plummets, Far Lower Than Corbett or Rendell at Same PointRegulation
Wolf’s False Choice
If lawmakers don’t raise taxes, Pennsylvanians should brace for drastic cuts to education and human services. This myth is promoted endlessly by the Wolf Administration to justify taking…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s False ChoiceRegulation
Rhetoric vs. Reality
Pennsylvania’s nine-month budget saga has concluded, but not everyone is pleased with the ending. The Philadelphia Inquirer published a caustic editorial criticizing state lawmakers for failing to surrender…
Media
Read More: Rhetoric vs. RealityRegulation
Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden Pennsylvanians
State employee compensation costs have soared to nearly $93,000 per worker per year, with health care and pensions the largest contributors. Meanwhile, costly EPA mandates on carbon and mercury…
Media
Read More: Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden PennsylvaniansEducation
The Final Piece of Budget Business in Limbo
After nine months of gridlock, Gov. Tom Wolf finally surrendered his 2015 quest for higher taxes on families and small businesses. On Monday morning, Pennsylvania will enjoy a completed state…
Media
Read More: The Final Piece of Budget Business in Limbo