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.
Taxes & Economy
PA Ranks 27th in Economic Freedom, Lawmakers Can Make a Difference
Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 PA Ranks a Mediocre 27th in Economic Freedom, Lawmakers Can Make a Difference New Report Shows Expanding Economic Freedom Could Boost Incomes by Thousands…
Press Release
Read More: PA Ranks 27th in Economic Freedom, Lawmakers Can Make a DifferenceTaxes & Economy
Economic Freedom Key to a Prosperous Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the 27th freest state in America according to the Fraser Institute’s annual Economic Freedom of North America report, which is hardly news to be celebrating. States were…
Media
Read More: Economic Freedom Key to a Prosperous PennsylvaniaRegulation
EPA Rule Would Increase PA Energy Bills by $1,000
The war on coal will be a catastrophe for consumers, according to a new analysis of energy prices under new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. According to…
Media
Read More: EPA Rule Would Increase PA Energy Bills by $1,000Taxes & Economy
The Gift of Work
Red kettles, canned food drives, Toys for Tots—the holidays are a time when private charity shines. But have you ever wondered about the best way to help the poor? Ron…
Media
Read More: The Gift of WorkState Budget
Pennsylvania’s New Punxsutawney Phil
On February 2 of each year, all eyes are on Punxsutawney Phil. The famous groundhog is responsible for predicting the duration of winter-like weather. If Phil sees his shadow, we’re…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s New Punxsutawney PhilHealth Care
New Wave of Obamacare Price Hikes Arrives
Regina Weinhardt handles benefits for her family’s plumbing business in Delaware County. In business since 1962, providing health care to their employees has always been a priority, “My father started…
Media
Read More: New Wave of Obamacare Price Hikes ArrivesEnergy
Green Jobs Threatened by EPA Regs
John Oelbracht has managed the Westwood Generation power plant in Schuylkill County for 10 years. It’s more than a job to him—it’s an undertaking to clean up the environment while…
Commentary
Read More: Green Jobs Threatened by EPA RegsTaxes & Economy
You’re Innocent, but Your House may be Guilty
A recent episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver highlights the problem of asset forfeiture, with specific references to the city of Philadelphia. Philadelphia has seized more than…
Media
Read More: You’re Innocent, but Your House may be GuiltyHealth Care
Bracing for Obamacare Rate Hikes
Only three days until the Obamacare exchanges open for 2015 enrollment. Last Sunday, the federal government released preliminary rates for window shopping. We compared the cheapest insurance plans in…
Media
Read More: Bracing for Obamacare Rate HikesTaxes & Economy
Video: Minimum Wage Limits Opportunity
Giving workers a boost in their hourly wages sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it? But, like most government-imposed market restrictions, it has some pretty negative consequences—like higher prices for…
Media
Read More: Video: Minimum Wage Limits OpportunityTaxes & Economy
Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s Progress
It may be boring and complicated, but a state’s tax code has a real impact on individuals and families who want to improve their quality of life. For instance, if…
Media
Read More: Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s ProgressHealth Care
ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost Care
The federal government’s health care overhaul is quickly becoming “Medicaid for all.” The more we learn about the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) newly insured population, the clearer it becomes that…
Media
Read More: ACA Delivers Low-Quality, High Cost CareTaxes & Economy
AP Story Errs on Wolf Spending Plan
A recent Associated Press story questions part of our analysis of Tom Wolf’s education spending and income tax proposals, specifically the notion that Mr. Wolf would have to double…
Media
Read More: AP Story Errs on Wolf Spending PlanEducation
Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?
Can you afford to lose the equivalent of a mortgage payment? How about four? Given a possible 188 percent increase in the state income tax rate to pay for Tom…
Commentary
Read More: Can Your Family Bear the Burden of Tax Increases?Health Care
Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA Exchange
Premiums are poised to rise significantly in Pennsylvania in year two of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Three insurers announced this week that they are seeking premium increases of…
Media
Read More: Huge Premium Hikes Expected in PA ExchangeEducation
Video: There’s No Magic Money Tree
From education to health care to public pensions, it seems like the answer to every problem—for some—is always more spending. But where does that money come from? And why doesn’t…
Media
Read More: Video: There’s No Magic Money TreeHealth Care
Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?
Four years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, few think healthcare is more affordable. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are rising, a new wave of Pennsylvanians are losing their…
Media
Read More: Audio: Healthcare Solutions Week—What Comes After Obamacare?Taxes & Economy
How Would Tom Wolf’s Tax Plan Impact You?
Yesterday, we released an analysis of the impact of Tom Wolf’s education spending and tax proposals, finding Pennsylvania’s income tax rate would have to increase by more than…
Media
Read More: How Would Tom Wolf’s Tax Plan Impact You?Health Care
Access to Care Still a Burden to Bear
Need to see a dermatologist in Philadelphia? If you are on Medicaid you’ll have to wait a staggering 49 days, according to recent Merritt Hawkins survey. This is no…
Media
Read More: Access to Care Still a Burden to BearEducation
Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax Proposals
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf has proposed several new spending initiatives and tax code changes, though specific details remain lacking. To give Pennsylvanians a better idea of the impact of these proposals,…
Memo
Read More: Assessing the Cost of Tom Wolf’s Spending and Tax ProposalsEducation
Analysis: Wolf’s “Fresh Start” Plan Requires Huge Tax Increases
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Wolf’s $4.6 Billion in New Education Spending Would Require Doubling State Income Tax Analysis Reveals PA Families Face…
Press Release
Read More: Analysis: Wolf’s “Fresh Start” Plan Requires Huge Tax Increases