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 House Roll Call Vote on Marcellus Shale Billl
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House passed the HB 1950 Conference Committee Report by a 101-90 margin with 99 Republicans and 2 Democrats FOR it and 10 Republicans and 80 Democrats AGAINST…
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Read More: PA House Roll Call Vote on Marcellus Shale BilllTaxes & Economy
Senate Votes on Natural Gas Tax (HB1950)
On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1950 Conference Committee Report by a 31-19 margin with 26 Republicans and 5 Democrats FOR it and 4 Republicans…
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Read More: Senate Votes on Natural Gas Tax (HB1950)Taxes & Economy
Don’t Feed the Sharks!
Many Republicans, who once opposed raising taxes, are justifying their anticipated vote to increase taxes on the natural gas industry (it’s not a FEE to pay for uncompensated costs…something…
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Read More: Don’t Feed the Sharks!State Budget
Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s Economy
It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that without swift action Pennsylvania's fiscal house will soon burst into flames. State lawmakers have adequate warning about the threats to our…
Commentary
Read More: Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s EconomyState Budget
Stop the Fiscal Inferno!
Burn, baby, burn, it’s a fiscal inferno! Okay, perhaps that’s not exactly how the old disco song goes, but that’s certainly how some politicians are singing it in Harrisburg.
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Read More: Stop the Fiscal Inferno!Taxes & Economy
Stop the Job-Killing Marcellus Tax!!!
A job-killing Marcellus Shale tax is being rammed through the legislature right now! With great speed and little transparency, House Bill 1950 was turned into a job-killing tax, littered with…
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Read More: Stop the Job-Killing Marcellus Tax!!!Regulation
Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 Preview
The FY 2011-12 total operating budget of $63.4 billion, which included $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, represented the first year-to-year reduction in state spending in at least 40 years.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget Background & 2012 PreviewTaxes & Economy
Job-Killing Marcellus Energy TAX Emerges
A new TAX on Marcellus Shale appears on the horizon. Below is a summary of the behind-closed-doors deal struck by a handful of legislators and staff, according to a memo…
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Read More: Job-Killing Marcellus Energy TAX EmergesEnergy
Memo on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee “Deal”
Memo from Matthew Brouillette to Pennsylvania General Assembly on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee "Deal."…
Commentary
Read More: Memo on Marcellus Shale Impact Fee “Deal”Taxes & Economy
Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has updated their employment data by state through the end of 2011 (subject to revision). Looking at December job data (“not seasonally adjusted”) over…
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Read More: Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999Criminal Justice Reform
Is State Corrections Spending Sustainable?
The chart below shows the unsustainable growth in Pennsylvania state corrections spending and inmate population. The criminal justice system’s goal shouldn’t be to simply lock up as many people…
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Read More: Is State Corrections Spending Sustainable?Regulation
Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?
As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners…
Commentary
Read More: Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?Criminal Justice Reform
Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & Crime
Change is on the horizon for Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections – now the third-largest state agency in the General Fund budget – which along with state debt, pensions…
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Read More: Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & CrimeRegulation
Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a Cracker
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing a special tax deal to attract a “cracker” plant to the state. The proposed Shell cracker—which breaks down natural gas…
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Read More: Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a CrackerEducation
Not a Joke: Learn from Louisiana
Here in Pennsylvania, we like to think we’re better than states like Louisiana. Those folks used to have slaves, but our founder was a Quaker. They’re poor, but we’re rich. …
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Read More: Not a Joke: Learn from LouisianaTaxes & Economy
The “Facts” on Food Stamps
City Paper contributor Daniel Denvir tries to diminish the impact of our Philadelphia Inquirer column on food stamps by offering “facts” in rebuttal. Unfortunately, most of these “facts”…
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Read More: The “Facts” on Food StampsTaxes & Economy
Debunking Severance Tax Rhetoric
Here’s my letter to the editor in the Public Opinion responding to Matthew Major’s fact-deficient editorial on drilling: Matthew Major’s editorial on corporate welfare and best drilling policies…
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Read More: Debunking Severance Tax RhetoricTaxes & Economy
Frack Attacker Exposed
Prof. Robert Howarth is known for controversial, anti-fracking studies declaring natural gas as one of the worst environmental polluters. Yesterday, former PA Department of Environmental Protection secretary John…
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Read More: Frack Attacker ExposedTaxes & Economy
SNAP Back to Reality, Senators
Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ Twitter, @PaSenateDems, comes some high-stakes rhetoric during a Capitol press conference today. In reaction to the Pa. Department of Public Welfare’s decision to reapply…
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Read More: SNAP Back to Reality, SenatorsTaxes & Economy
Welfare Reforms Protect Poor, Taxpayers
Regardless of where you stand on taxpayer-funded entitlements, few Americans argue against the maintenance of temporary safety nets or modifications aimed at ending welfare fraud, waste and abuse.
Commentary
Read More: Welfare Reforms Protect Poor, TaxpayersTaxes & Economy
Is the EPA Frackophobic?
The Environmental Protection Agency is now delivering water to homes in Dimock, Pa., even though Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection says it’s not needed. Here’s the background: In…
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