Taxes & Economy
Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax Reform
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…
Read More: Pennsylvanians Are in Dire Need of Tax ReformHigh 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
5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017
The 2016-17 budget has passed, yet it remains unbalanced, relying on borrowing money and yet-to-be-passed legislation. Many revenue estimates are overly optimistic. Without efforts to reduce spending or reform cost drivers like pensions…
Media
Read More: 5 Reasons To Fear Bigger Tax Hikes in 2017Taxes & Economy
Government Favoritism Hurts Honest Businesses
Buried in a little debated 267-page tax code bill is a provision emblematic of Pennsylvania’s corporate welfare culture. The provision directs hotel tax revenue generated inside a Neighborhood…
Media
Read More: Government Favoritism Hurts Honest BusinessesTaxes & Economy
Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the Worse
Government’s heavy hand can cause immense harm. Dori Odosso (pictured) and Chris Hughes know this all too well. Both small business owners are concerned about a crushing new tax…
Media
Read More: Overtaxing Can Change Lives for the WorseTaxes & Economy
Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That
Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for That Digital Downloads Tax Takes Effect Today August 1, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvanians who didn’t stock up on iTunes, eBooks, and game apps…
Press Release
Read More: Games? eBooks? Music? There’s a Tax for ThatTaxes & Economy
Why Dori is Fighting Back Against Government Overreach
On Wednesday, we shared with you Chris’s fight to save his small business from a devastating tax increase. Regrettably, Chris’s business isn’t the only one threatened by the new…
Media
Read More: Why Dori is Fighting Back Against Government OverreachTaxes & Economy
Taxes Threaten Chris’s Livelihood
Chris Hughes has owned Fat Cat Vapor Shop for almost three years. The shop—tucked away in a small Lycoming County borough—specializes in electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), which many people seek as…
Media
Read More: Taxes Threaten Chris’s LivelihoodTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to Amazon
Corporate welfare projects and celebratory press releases go together like peanut butter and jelly. For the most recent example in Pennsylvania, see the latest from the governor’s communications office:…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Prime Subsidies to AmazonTaxes & Economy
Saving for a Rainy Day — But Whose Money?
Let’s talk for a moment about rainy days—specifically, the need to save funds to spend on one. Several school board administrators and lobbyists have taken issue with CF’s searchable,…
Media
Read More: Saving for a Rainy Day — But Whose Money?Taxes & Economy
The Pension Crisis Will Trigger Another Tax Hike
The 2016-17 budget is in the books with a $650 million tax increase. That's a significant increase…
Media
Read More: The Pension Crisis Will Trigger Another Tax HikeTaxes & Economy
DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host City
DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host City Philadelphians Suffering, Fleeing Due to Policies that Hurt Economic Growth July 21, 2016, Philadelphia, Pa.—As all…
Press Release
Read More: DNC in Philly: Top 5 Ways Big-Government Policies Are Killing the Host CityTaxes & Economy
A Budget of Convenience
The dust has settled on the 2016-17 budget debate—at least for the moment. Some people hail the agreement as an example of what Harrisburg can accomplish when two parties work together.
Media
Read More: A Budget of ConvenienceTaxes & Economy
An Analysis of the 2016-17 Budget
On June 30, the legislature passed a $31.6 billion General Fund Budget. Gov. Wolf allowed this budget to become law without his signature on July 12. On July 13, the…
Fact Sheet
Read More: An Analysis of the 2016-17 BudgetTaxes & Economy
What’s in the Final 2016-17 Budget?
On June 30, the legislature passed a $31.6 billion General Fund Budget. Gov. Wolf allowed this budget to become law without his signature on July 12. On July 13,…
Media
Read More: What’s in the Final 2016-17 Budget?Taxes & Economy
Unlearned State Budget Lessons
Charles Mitchell, newly appointed President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, appeared last week on PMA Perspective to discuss this year’s state budget process and the “unlearned lessons” of last…
Media
Read More: Unlearned State Budget LessonsTaxes & Economy
Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still Unbalanced
Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still Unbalanced Despite Fanfare, Budget Remains $300 Million in the Red July 14, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Yesterday, Gov. Wolf and lawmakers approved a tax and revenue package…
Press Release
Read More: Budget: Still Irresponsible, Still UnbalancedTaxes & Economy
How the $650 Million Tax Increase Impacts You
The state budget is, for all intents and purposes, complete. While it remains unbalanced, we now know exactly which taxes are going up. The $650 million tax hike passed by the…
Media
Read More: How the $650 Million Tax Increase Impacts YouTaxes & Economy
Legislature Sends $600 Million Tax Increase to Gov. Wolf
Legislature Sends $600 Million Tax Increase to Gov. Wolf Pennsylvanians to Pay More for Cigarettes, eBooks, Apps, Streaming Video July 13, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Hoping to balance the unconstitutional, unbalanced…
Press Release
Read More: Legislature Sends $600 Million Tax Increase to Gov. WolfTaxes & Economy
State Spending Addiction Leads to Tax Hike
Lawmakers are on the cusp of pushing through a $650 million tax increase on working Pennsylvanians. Earlier this afternoon—without much warning or debate—a conference committee passed House Bill…
Media
Read More: State Spending Addiction Leads to Tax HikeTaxes & Economy
Pa. Enters Day #1 of Illegal, Unbalanced State Budget
Pa. Enters Day #1 of Illegal, Unbalanced State Budget Gov. Wolf Abdicates Constitutional Responsibility to Correct Legislature’s Error July 12, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Today is uncharted territory for Pennsylvania.
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Enters Day #1 of Illegal, Unbalanced State BudgetTaxes & Economy
Will Wolf-Enacted Budget Violate Law?
Will Wolf-Enacted Budget Violate Law? Law Requires Gov. to Veto Spending Above Official Revenue Estimates July 11, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Governor Tom Wolf yesterday announced he would allow the $31.6 billion…
Press Release
Read More: Will Wolf-Enacted Budget Violate Law?Taxes & Economy
Lower State Spending Could Improve Bond Rating
Last week Moody’s warned an out-of-balance state budget could result in another credit downgrading. By not acting to balance the budget, Governor Wolf is aiding in the devaluation of the…
Media
Read More: Lower State Spending Could Improve Bond Rating