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
Gas Drilling for Pennsylvania’s Farms, Family and Future
Across Pennsylvania, natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale has benefited not just companies but also human beings -- by creating tens of thousands of jobs, rescuing families from foreclosure,…
Commentary
Read More: Gas Drilling for Pennsylvania’s Farms, Family and FutureTaxes & Economy
Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?
The Scranton Times-Tribune and the Patriot-News criticize HB 1950 (the natural gas fee proposal) for not taxing gas drillers enough, yet fail to include basic information about…
Media
Read More: Are Gas Drillers Paying Their “Fair Share”?Taxes & Economy
Marcellus Shale Lowers Heating Bills
The Pittsburgh Tribune and Erie Times report natural gas prices are decreasing as we approach the winter months. Rates per thousand cubic feet are dropping across western Pennsylvania.
Media
Read More: Marcellus Shale Lowers Heating BillsEducation
Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities
Fall 2011 Legislative Priorities.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Fall 2011 Legislative PrioritiesEducation
The Economic Cost of Education Failure
If you don’t have a child in a failing school, you may think that SB 1 and the education reforms it contains are of no benefit to you. Think again.
Media
Read More: The Economic Cost of Education FailureTaxes & Economy
State Energy Mandates Cost up to $440 million
A new study by Penn State scholars found Pennsylvania’s alternative energy mandates will cost taxpayers up to $60 million next year and up to $440 million in ten years.
Media
Read More: State Energy Mandates Cost up to $440 millionEnergy
Marcellus Shale Impact Fee
Companies should pay for the cost of government they use. Many advocates of a new tax simply want more money for Harrisburg politicians to dole out.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Marcellus Shale Impact FeeTaxes & Economy
PA’s High Unemployment Taxes
Pennsylvania employers pay some of the highest unemployment insurance taxes in the nation, according to a new study by the Tax Foundation. Tax rates vary based on the frequency of layoffs.
Media
Read More: PA’s High Unemployment TaxesTaxes & Economy
100,000+ Improperly Get Pa. Med Benefits
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare testified that hundreds of thousands of individuals were improperly receiving Medicaid, taxpayer-funded health care for the poor and the disabled. Capitolwire writes:…
Media
Read More: 100,000+ Improperly Get Pa. Med BenefitsEducation
Want a 70% Approval Rating?
Let’s be real. One of the things that often gets CF into trouble is that from the outside, it seems like we never need to worry about whether the free-market…
Media
Read More: Want a 70% Approval Rating?Taxes & Economy
Blame Game No Jobs Gain
Pennsylvania House Democrats put out an email blaming Gov. Corbett and Republicans for a lousy economy: Since Republicans passed the Corbett budget in June, unemployment in Pennsylvania has risen more…
Media
Read More: Blame Game No Jobs GainTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania Natural Gas Jobs Doubled in Last Three Years
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry released their latest Marcellus Shale Fast Facts, illustrating the important economic stimulus that drilling represents to the commonwealth. Key Findings Include: Marcellus…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Natural Gas Jobs Doubled in Last Three YearsTaxes & 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
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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
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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
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