High 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

Carbon Tax Devastating for Manufacturers

  • Gordon Tomb
  • March 7, 2013

A study reported by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association says a carbon tax would have a devastating effect on the state’s manufacturers. Manufacturing output in energy-intensive activities could drop by…

Media

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Health Care

Facts, Not Hate, In Medicaid Debate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 6, 2013

“A few dying residents won’t matter to these people…”  So say supporters of implementing Obamacare in Pennsylvania about our friends at Americans for Prosperity.  AFP launched a new action…

Media

Read More: Facts, Not Hate, In Medicaid Debate

Health Care

Medicaid “Free Lunch” Nauseates Lawmakers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 4, 2013

Following news that Gov. Corbett was going to meet with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and rumors he might reverse his opposition to expanding…

Media

Read More: Medicaid “Free Lunch” Nauseates Lawmakers

Health Care

No “Free Lunch” with Medicaid Expansion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 28, 2013

If I offered you a "free lunch" every day for the rest of your life, you'd take it, right? Oh, but there are a few strings attached. The lunch may…

Commentary

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Health Care

Where Does Government Get Money?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 28, 2013

Where does the federal government get its money? Does it grow on trees? Does it fall from the sky like manna from heaven? Is there a genie who keeps granting…

Media

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Regulation

Pension Reform Doesn’t Bring Higher Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 26, 2013

The Allentown Morning Call features an article on pension reform in which a representative of the Public Employee Retirement Commission claims that Gov. Corbett’s proposal to put new employees…

Media

Read More: Pension Reform Doesn’t Bring Higher Costs

Health Care

Medicaid Harms States, Poor & Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 25, 2013

A new report and commentary from the Galen Institute details the reasons why the “free money” promised by the federal government for expanding Medicaid is a bad deal…

Media

Read More: Medicaid Harms States, Poor & Taxpayers

Regulation

Can We Talk?

  • February 22, 2013

Today, CF held our first Google Hangout: A live video broadcast of a conversation between CF experts about the state budget. In under 20 minutes, we hit on Governor…

Media

Read More: Can We Talk?

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvanians Bleeding Green with Energy Mandates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2013

Pennsylvania’s alternative energy mandates will result in higher energy costs, leading to lower incomes and less investment, and costing the state thousands of jobs, according to a new study…

Media

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Energy

Bleeding Green

  • February 20, 2013

A new study from the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University finds that Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards will costs Pennsylvanians millions in higher energy costs.

Poll

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Regulation

Taxpayers Lose without Lottery Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 14, 2013

Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced today she would not sign off on a contract with a private manager for the Pennsylvania lottery. The real losers from this decision are…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Lose without Lottery Deal

Regulation

Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 12, 2013

The Patriot News reports that private lottery manager Camelot Global Services may not be willing to extend its bid beyond the current expiration date of Saturday. Attorney General Kathleen…

Media

Read More: Kane Delay on Lottery Could Cost Taxpayers (Again)

State Budget

Transportation Plan Falls Short of Principles

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 11, 2013

We’ve received several requests for our assessment of Governor Corbett’s transportation proposal, in light of our principles for transportation funding. Here is our take. First, transportation is a…

Media

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State Budget

Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save Jobs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 11, 2013

The Affordable Care Act—often dubbed Obamacare—included 20 new taxes or tax increases. As these taxes are beginning to go into effect, businesses are starting to feel the impact, and…

Media

Read More: Corbett’s Medicaid Decision Could Save Jobs

Taxes & Economy

Welfare Traps Good People in Broken System

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 6, 2013

CBS 21’s Chris Papst presents a chilling story showing how easy it is for Pennsylvania families to get trapped in the welfare system. Investigators discovered a single mother of two making $20,000 in Pennsylvania can…

Media

Read More: Welfare Traps Good People in Broken System

State Budget

Standing with Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 6, 2013

Most Pennsylvanians probably weren't aware – or don't care – that Governor Corbett delivered his 2013-14 budget proposal this week.  But they should!  Spending $20,900 per family of four, the…

Commentary

Read More: Standing with Taxpayers

Health Care

Medicaid Expansion: The Price was Wrong

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 6, 2013

Governor Corbett made the right call yesterday when he decided to recommend against expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania. Here is my letter to the editor to the Philadelphia Inquirer explaining…

Media

Read More: Medicaid Expansion: The Price was Wrong

State Budget

Gov. Corbett’s Budget Stands with Taxpayers

  • February 5, 2013

Statement of Matthew J. Brouillette, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank, on Governor Corbett’s budget proposal: Gov. Corbett has chosen to prioritize government spending…

Press Release

Read More: Gov. Corbett’s Budget Stands with Taxpayers

State Budget

Spending Restraint Fosters Economic Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 5, 2013

Critics, and likely election challengers, of Gov. Tom Corbett point to the singular fact that the state’s unemployment rate is higher than the national average (though not significantly,…

Media

Read More: Spending Restraint Fosters Economic Growth

Health Care

Lawmakers: Medicaid Expansion Not the Answer

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 4, 2013

Rep. Gordon Denlinger and 37 House members sent a letter to Governor Corbett, urging the governor not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare).

Media

Read More: Lawmakers: Medicaid Expansion Not the Answer