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.

Health Care

Will Medicaid Expansion Boost Pennsylvania’s Economy?

  • Priya Brannick
  • March 29, 2013

A new study commissioned by the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania predicts that if the state expands Medicaid, the program will produce $3.2 billion in annual growth over…

Media

Read More: Will Medicaid Expansion Boost Pennsylvania’s Economy?

Regulation

Pennsylvania State Budget 2013

  • March 26, 2013

Governor Corbett's proposed budget of $28.4 billion in general fund spending and $67.6 billion in spending from all funds represents our highest spending levels ever—exceeding years when federal stimulus dollars…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget 2013

Health Care

Note to Lawmakers: The Power Is Yours!

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 22, 2013

One of my favorite cartoon’s growing up was Captain Planet. The cartoon’s catchy theme song ended with an emphatic, “The power is yours!” It’s a message all of our state lawmakers…

Media

Read More: Note to Lawmakers: The Power Is Yours!

Health Care

Expanding Medicaid: Eat Now, Starve Later

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 20, 2013

When the governor released his budget last month, the loudest opposition hinged on Medicaid - government insurance for the poor and disabled. Advocates of expanding the program via the Affordable…

Commentary

Read More: Expanding Medicaid: Eat Now, Starve Later

Regulation

Privatization Could End “Pay-to-Play”

  • Priya Brannick
  • March 15, 2013

“A culture of greed, corruption and political influence that is beyond imagination,” is how State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan described the latest Pennsylvania Turnpike scandal, which has led to…

Media

Read More: Privatization Could End “Pay-to-Play”

Health Care

Sequester-Sized Savings

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 15, 2013

We’ve already busted the myth that federal money for the expansion of Medicaid is somehow “free.” As Nathan Benefield explains, government only distributes what if first taxes out of…

Media

Read More: Sequester-Sized Savings

Taxes & Economy

FrackNation Exposes Gasland Lies

  • Gordon Tomb
  • March 14, 2013

“FrackNation” is not only about the development of natural gas, but also about journalism, says Phelim McAleer, co-director of the 70-minute documentary. Shown this week to about 70…

Media

Read More: FrackNation Exposes Gasland Lies

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

Read More: No “Free Lunch” with Medicaid Expansion

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

Read More: Where Does Government Get Money?

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

Read More: Pennsylvanians Bleeding Green with Energy Mandates

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

Read More: Bleeding Green

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)