Education
Lawmakers can ease financial worries of Pennsylvanians
Originally published at LNP The struggle is real. When asked about their families’ financial situation, only 17% of Pennsylvanians see themselves as better off now than two years ago,…
Read More: Lawmakers can ease financial worries of PennsylvaniansHigh 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
Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax
The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee held a hearing today on a number of proposals to eliminate, reduce, or change the state inheritance tax. The Pennsylvania inheritance tax applies to all…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Inheritance TaxTaxes & Economy
Inheritance Tax Reform
Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis, Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, Pennsylvania House Finance Committee Good morning. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis for…
Testimony
Read More: Inheritance Tax ReformTaxes & Economy
The Occupy Movement’s Wrong Target
Now that the Occupy Wall Street movement has gone national, Pennsylvania is seeing its fair share of protests. While they’re still a ragtag, oddly camera-shy bunch with ill-defined…
Media
Read More: The Occupy Movement’s Wrong TargetTaxes & Economy
Regulation or Electrification?
The Wall Street Journal brings to light new documents showing the Environmental Protection Agency operates as an overbearing parent, not a servant of the people. New regulations targeting air…
Media
Read More: Regulation or Electrification?Taxes & Economy
Principles Must Lead Shale Fee Proposal
Before sound could travel from Gov. Corbett's lips to Pennsylvanians' ears, special interest groups and tax-and-spend politicians unwisely laid waste his plan to protect job growth and stave off family…
Commentary
Read More: Principles Must Lead Shale Fee ProposalTaxes & Economy
CF: Gov. Corbett’s Natural Gas Fee Proposal Embraces Key Principles
HARRISBURG, PA – Calling it a huge victory for both working Pennsylvanians and those looking for work, the Commonwealth Foundation praised Gov. Tom Corbett today for his proposal that resists…
Press Release
Read More: CF: Gov. Corbett’s Natural Gas Fee Proposal Embraces Key PrinciplesTaxes & Economy
Evaluating Gov Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact Fee
Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his Marcellus Shale impact fee proposal in Pittsburgh today. Corbett’s proposal represents a significant improvement from some of the leading tax and fee proposals. Framework…
Media
Read More: Evaluating Gov Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact FeeRegulation
Poll: Support for Private Liquor Stores, Marcellus Drilling
The latest Quinnipiac poll shows strong support for liquor store privatization, Marcellus Shale drilling (as well as natural gas tax); and for the first time asks Pennsylvanians if they…
Media
Read More: Poll: Support for Private Liquor Stores, Marcellus DrillingTaxes & Economy
Transportation Funding Must be Tied to Reform
Testimony of Matthew J. Brouillette to the Senate and House Transportation Committees Thank you Chairman Rafferty and Chairman Geist and members of the committees for the invitation to testify today…
Testimony
Read More: Transportation Funding Must be Tied to ReformTaxes & Economy
Reading is Poorest City in U.S.
Just released Census Bureau figures show Pennsylvania’s poverty rate has climbed, rising to 13.4 percent in 2010 compared to 11.6 percent in 2007, when the recession first hit.
Media
Read More: Reading is Poorest City in U.S.Taxes & Economy
Governor Corbett Right to Disentangle “Impact Fee” from Growing Greener
In the coming weeks, Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to release his “local impact fee” proposal. It appears the governor’s on track to keep his “no new taxes”…
Media
Read More: Governor Corbett Right to Disentangle “Impact Fee” from Growing GreenerTaxes & Economy
By the Way, Residents Don’t Like High Taxes
Dr. Antony Davies, a member of CF’s Council of Scholars, and John Pulito add to the growing body of research showing higher state taxes drive out residents. Their new study,…
Media
Read More: By the Way, Residents Don’t Like High TaxesHealth Care
Changing the Incentives in Medicaid
Medicaid spending is set to skyrocket under the federal health care overhaul in the next two years, but it already consumes 31 percent of Pennsylvania’s budget. It is no…
Media
Read More: Changing the Incentives in MedicaidPublic Union Democracy
New Polling Shows 72 Percent of Pennsylvanians Support Right to Work
New polling conducted by Douglas E. Schoen, LLC for the Manhattan Institute nationally and in 10 targeted states shows widespread bipartisan support to reduce state government spending rather than…
Media
Read More: New Polling Shows 72 Percent of Pennsylvanians Support Right to WorkTaxes & Economy
State Regulators are Best Equipped to Monitor Drilling
Congress is considering the FRAC Act, legislation to transfer hydraulic fracturing oversight from states to the Environmental Protection Agency, but the EPA has already proved itself incapable of the…
Media
Read More: State Regulators are Best Equipped to Monitor DrillingRegulation
Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes
Facing immense fiscal and political pressures, many local governments are looking for ways to fund services without raising taxes. But officials need not curb their enthusiasm for fiscal responsibility if…
Commentary
Read More: Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax HikesTaxes & Economy
Drilling Bans Hurt Low-income Families
Some local communities, such as affluent Peters Township, are seeking local bans on drilling in the name of environmental protection, but these unnecessary bans would hinder the ability…
Media
Read More: Drilling Bans Hurt Low-income FamiliesEducation
Do Public Schools Need More Construction Spending?
One of the supposed benefits of President Obama’s “Jobs Bill” (despite demands to “pass it now”, the jobs bill has not yet…
Media
Read More: Do Public Schools Need More Construction Spending?Regulation
Licensing Regulations Drives Out Entrepreneurs
A Morning Call article brings to light the anti-entrepreneurship policy of occupational licensing. The article focuses on fines imposed on folks trying, in most cases, to earn a living:…
Media
Read More: Licensing Regulations Drives Out EntrepreneursTaxes & Economy
Brain Drain Strikes Again
Last weekend I attended a dinner party just over the Pennsylvania border in Ohio. Our hosts moved across the state line about a year ago and complained to me about…
Media
Read More: Brain Drain Strikes AgainPublic Union Democracy
Senseless Regulations Cause Job Loss
Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Independent article on the new state independent contract rules demonstrates the clear need for regulatory streamlining in the commonwealth. After Deborah Webster’s husband lost his job,…
Media
Read More: Senseless Regulations Cause Job Loss