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
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 LossRegulation
Pennsylvania Lost $5 Billion in Annual Income from Residents Movin’ Out
When it comes to interstate migration, Pennsylvania is among the biggest losers of residents and the income they earn, according to a Tax Foundation map using IRS data. Between…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Lost $5 Billion in Annual Income from Residents Movin’ OutTaxes & Economy
Estimating Marcellus Shale’s Economic Impact
A new study from Penn State’s Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center estimates that natural gas drilling in Marcellus Shale created 24,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and added $3.1 billion…
Media
Read More: Estimating Marcellus Shale’s Economic ImpactRegulation
Preserving Penn’s Woods Proven by Public-Private Partnerships
Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Corbett suggested the commonwealth consider leasing state park operations and services. Almost immediately and without thoughtful consideration, pundits launched political fire, claiming "privateers" would exploit…
Commentary
Read More: Preserving Penn’s Woods Proven by Public-Private PartnershipsTaxes & Economy
Alternative Energy Mandates Make Consumers Pay More for Electricity
This month, the PUC released its latest annual report evaluating Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards. The report shows renewable energy continues to take more out of taxpayer's…
Media
Read More: Alternative Energy Mandates Make Consumers Pay More for ElectricityTaxes & Economy
Hiding the Decline of Academic and Scientific Transparency
That’s what University of Virginia continues to do, as my colleague at American Tradition Institute Chris Horner explains today in Washington Examiner. Earlier this week…
Media
Read More: Hiding the Decline of Academic and Scientific TransparencyTaxes & Economy
Scorecard: Toomey Scores, Casey Fumbles for Pa.
Yesterday, Heritage Action released its legislative scorecard for all members of the 112th U.S. Congress. The scorecard can be searched by name, state or even zip code. Current…
Media
Read More: Scorecard: Toomey Scores, Casey Fumbles for Pa.Taxes & Economy
Marcellus Shale Local Impact Fee
Good evening. I am Elizabeth Stelle, a Policy Analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation. We are Pennsylvania’s free market think that crafts and promotes free-market policies based on guiding principles like…
Testimony
Read More: Marcellus Shale Local Impact FeeTaxes & Economy
Gov. Corbett’s Budget Guidelines Include Privatizing Yellow Pages, Streamlining
An Administrative Circular sent to state agencies this month outlines Gov. Tom Corbett’s expectation for his 2012-13 Executive Budget. Recognizing the state will be faced with fiscal challenges…
Media
Read More: Gov. Corbett’s Budget Guidelines Include Privatizing Yellow Pages, StreamliningPublic Union Democracy
When Union Bosses Make Stuff Up, We Offer Facts
In a story by PA Independent, AFL-CIO head honcho Rick Bloomingdale attempts to deny the incredible job growth in right-to-work states like Texas. Bloomingdale comments: “Most likely, the…
Media
Read More: When Union Bosses Make Stuff Up, We Offer Facts