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.
Taxes & 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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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. …
Media
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”…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
Read More: Is the EPA Frackophobic?Criminal Justice Reform
Fiscal Outlook for Pennsylvania: Not Too Rosy
This week the new Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office held its first annual seminar on the state economy and revenue. After a series of presentations on the state of the…
Media
Read More: Fiscal Outlook for Pennsylvania: Not Too RosyCriminal Justice Reform
Corrections Reform: Another Sacred Cow?
Our friends at Reason.org have called out Pennsylvania lawmakers’ opposition to prison healthcare reform, calling it yet another public sector union sacred cow. At issue is House…
Media
Read More: Corrections Reform: Another Sacred Cow?Taxes & Economy
Impact Fee: Compromise on Details, not Principles
Capitolwire reports (subscription required) on the negotiations between the House and Senate Marcellus Shale impact fee bills — HB 1950 and SB 1100. Here’s a recap: The fee…
Media
Read More: Impact Fee: Compromise on Details, not PrinciplesTaxes & Economy
Will Anti-Gas Political Climate Prevent 10,000 Jobs?
U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, along with Gov. Tom Corbett, have been lobbying for Shell to invest their petroleum chemistry plant, known as a “cracker”…
Media
Read More: Will Anti-Gas Political Climate Prevent 10,000 Jobs?Criminal Justice Reform
Time for Pennsylvania to Get Right on Crime
Last week on NPR, former U.S. Attorney General and Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh joined Adam Gelb, director for Pew’s Public Safety Performance Project, to discuss criminal justice…
Media
Read More: Time for Pennsylvania to Get Right on CrimeState Budget
Turnpike Commission Defends Ballooning Debt
Following our post yesterday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wanted to make sure we saw their response to Auditor General Jack Wagner’s warning on their growing debt. The Turnpike…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission Defends Ballooning DebtTaxes & Economy
Do Millionaires Need Food Stamps?
For the past few years, politicians in Harrisburg and Washington have considered it a “success” to put more families on welfare. The result is an abundance of loopholes that allow…
Media
Read More: Do Millionaires Need Food Stamps?