State Budget
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
(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 LimboState Budget
Victory Over Wolf Tax Hikes
Pennsylvania's 267 day budget impasse has finally come to an end…with a taxpayer victory! HB 1801 will become law without Tom Wolf's signature. The governor refuses to sign the budget,…
Media
Read More: Victory Over Wolf Tax HikesEducation
Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law
Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become Law Gov. Abandons 2015-16 Tax Hikes, Releases Record Funding for Cash-Strapped Schools March 23, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—After keeping Pennsylvania in budget…
Press Release
Read More: Taxpayers Win As Wolf Allows Budget to Become LawHealth Care
Improving Health Care Access While Cutting Costs
Is it possible to improve health care access while also cutting a costs? Yes—according to a recent study by Edward Timmons of the Mercatus Center. Writing in U.S.
Media
Read More: Improving Health Care Access While Cutting CostsHealth Care
6 Reasons Obamacare is a Failure
Lower costs? Improved access? Six years later, the Affordable Care Act still falls painfully short of these noble goals. Years after most of the ACA's “goodies” have been implemented,…
Media
Read More: 6 Reasons Obamacare is a FailureEducation
Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding?
Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding? Districts Nearing Financial Collapse as Governor Threatens Veto March 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Nearly one week after the legislature voted to send…
Press Release
Read More: Will Wolf Ignore Schools’ Pleas, Veto Education Funding?Regulation
PA Faces Another Costly EPA Mandate
President Obama’s energy tax—also known as the Clean Power Plan—is just one of many EPA mandates stifling Pennsylvania’s economy. One mandate in particular imposes enormous costs on Pennsylvania farmers and…
Media
Read More: PA Faces Another Costly EPA MandateState Budget
What Is Wolf’s Plan?
In his 2015 budget address, Gov. Wolf stated, “But if you don’t agree with my ideas, here is my request: please come with your own ideas. It’s not good enough…
Media
Read More: What Is Wolf’s Plan?State Budget
Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget Veto
Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget Veto Balanced, No-Tax-Hike Budget with Record School Spending Nearing Wolf’s Desk March 16 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—With school districts across…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf Threatens to Shut Schools with Budget VetoState Budget
Wolf’s Bad Budget Bluffs
The Senate just passed and the House will soon vote on another no-tax-hike, balanced budget for fiscal year 2015-16. Gov. Wolf has already promised to veto it. Remarkably, the governor…
Media
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