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.
Energy
Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job Growth
It’s indisputable that where there is Marcellus shale drilling there has been robust economic growth. Over the past six years, Pennsylvania counties with Marcellus shale drilling led the state in…
Commentary
Read More: Shale Gas Fuels Pennsylvania Job GrowthCriminal Justice Reform
Corrections Reform Proves a Win-Win
Unprecedented reductions in the prison population, $69.9 million in taxpayer savings, and lower recidivism rates all indicate that the 2012 corrections reforms are working. Earlier this month Don Gilliland over…
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Read More: Corrections Reform Proves a Win-WinTaxes & Economy
How to Help the Poor Leave Poverty Behind
Making “the rich” pay higher taxes will miraculously help the poor. This antiquated idea is the conclusion of a recent paper released by the…
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Read More: How to Help the Poor Leave Poverty BehindRegulation
Doing Business in Pennsylvania Can Be Taxing
This post was updated to reflect the most recent data available. Tax policy may not be as exciting as discussing Golden Globe winners, but few topics rise to the level…
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Read More: Doing Business in Pennsylvania Can Be TaxingPublic Union Democracy
Disappointed and Determined
Today, I am both disappointed and determined. I am disappointed that it is now a mathematical impossibility for any of the reforms you and countless other Pennsylvanians have demanded to…
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Read More: Disappointed and DeterminedTaxes & Economy
Former Pennsylvanians Voted with their Feet
Residents continued their exodus from Pennsylvania in 2014. The latest Census population estimates, released last month, show that Pennsylvania gained 5,913 in total population between July 2013 and July…
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Read More: Former Pennsylvanians Voted with their FeetEducation
Super Six: Important ‘Wins’ for Taxpayers, Kids this Year
Policymakers made significant strides over the past legislative session to increase school choice, save taxpayers from waste and abuse in unemployment compensation, and protect students. While critical reforms remain, it’s…
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Read More: Super Six: Important ‘Wins’ for Taxpayers, Kids this YearRegulation
Government Falls Short in Subsidizing Job Creation
“Incomplete, misleading, and unreliable”—that is how an Auditor General report described Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of your…
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Read More: Government Falls Short in Subsidizing Job CreationEducation
Pennsylvanians Deserve True Fairness
Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue success in our state. While Gov.-elect Wolf's intentions echo this noble sentiment, many of his proposals fall far short of his vision.
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Read More: Pennsylvanians Deserve True FairnessState Budget
Spending Restraint, Reform Needed to Balance Budget
With an estimated $2 billion “planning deficit” announced this week, one might believe crafting a balanced budget that doesn’t raise taxes is impossible. Yet earlier this year, we…
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Read More: Spending Restraint, Reform Needed to Balance BudgetTaxes & 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Read More: Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s Progress