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.
Health Care
Medicaid: A State Budget Buster
Medicaid is gobbling up state budgets left and right, and Pennsylvania is no exception. State Medicaid costs from 2014 through 2020 are estimated to increase by $841.2…
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Read More: Medicaid: A State Budget BusterTaxes & Economy
Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy Failure
In 2001, Mayor Vera Katz promised Portland, Ore. would acquire 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010. Today, only nine percent of Portland’s energy comes from renewables. What…
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Read More: Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy FailureTaxes & Economy
The “Fair Share” Canard
Tonight, I’ll be on WITF’s Smart Talk to discuss why jobs aren’t coming back quicker and if we should allow tax rates to increase (i.e., allow the Bush tax…
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Read More: The “Fair Share” CanardTaxes & Economy
Pipeline to Nowhere is Dead
In November, the PennVEST board, heavily pressured by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), approved an almost $12 million taxpayer-funded grant and loan to pay for a water line…
Media
Read More: Pipeline to Nowhere is DeadRegulation
New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor Stores
Released today, the Quinnipiac University poll shows that 66 percent of Pennsylvania voters support selling state liquor stores—a rise from the 50 percent reported by a F&M poll…
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Read More: New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor StoresState Budget
The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s Rainbow
These days it's hard enough for Pennsylvania families to think about meeting their obligations let alone piling on more debt. But that's exactly what outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell did this…
Commentary
Read More: The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s RainbowTaxes & Economy
Facts Not Fear For Drilling Issue
Below is my guest opinion published in the Lebanon Daily News today, which confronts a misleading letter to the editor addressing gas drilling. After reading Joyce Kunkle’s Dec.
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Read More: Facts Not Fear For Drilling IssueTaxes & Economy
I Got Your Energy Security Right Here
The Toronto Globe and Mail yesterday reported how vast discoveries of new North American energy sources could “reflect the beginning of the end for U.S. dependence on Mideast…
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Read More: I Got Your Energy Security Right HereGovernment Accountability
Legislators Refuse COLA Increase
Despite the fact that Pennsylvania faces a projected budget deficit of $5 billion, legislators in Harrisburg will receive their annual cost of living adjustment (COLA), aka pay raise. Based…
Media
Read More: Legislators Refuse COLA IncreaseGovernment Accountability
Lawsuit Lottery Must End
Upon taking office in January, Governor-elect Tom Corbett will face the burden of addressing the numerous economic and fiscal problems facing the Keystone State. One of the most pervasive is…
Commentary
Read More: Lawsuit Lottery Must EndTaxes & Economy
Do you know the drill?
When it comes to hydraulic fracturing, Pennsylvanians are being bombarded with misleading information. Citizens informed with this inaccurate information, largely stemming from the disingenuous film Gasland, are…
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Read More: Do you know the drill?Taxes & Economy
Super Rendell Finds Bailout For Failing Port Authority
Gov. Rendell has “found” $45 million dollars of Federal Transportation Funds (for Economic Development) to bail out the failing Port Authority. Proponents claim it as a success, stating that…
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Read More: Super Rendell Finds Bailout For Failing Port AuthorityGovernment Accountability
Best Legislative Session Ever?
Jan Murphy of the Patriot-News notes that the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Legislative Session had the fewest new laws passed in 24 years. Since most pieces of legislation are a new…
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Read More: Best Legislative Session Ever?Taxes & Economy
How Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs
The Pennsylvania Solar Industries Association, along with PennEnvironment are touting a solar industry sponsored study, which estimates the Commonwealth has created 6,700 solar jobs. These groups are not…
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Read More: How Green Jobs Destroy Good JobsTaxes & Economy
Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?
PA State Senator John Eichelberger gives a scathing review of Pennsylvania’s 2008 “dog law”, which had the noble intention of shutting down “puppy mills,” but has resulted in forcing…
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Read More: Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?State Budget
Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion More
Gov. Rendell is pushing to issue $1 billion in new state debt before he leaves office in January. Of course, before the bonds are issued, either the Auditor General or…
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Read More: Gov. Rendell Wants to Borrow $1 Billion MoreTaxes & Economy
Family Feud Fuels Anti-Drilling Folly, Fiasco
Last week, the Wall Street Journal featured the leasing saga of the Price family, a Silver Lake Township, Pa., clan whose fickle family…
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Read More: Family Feud Fuels Anti-Drilling Folly, FiascoTaxes & Economy
Re: Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology
I noted last week how The Patriot-News and the Washington Post seemed to figure out that government subsidies for a new Green jobs economy cannot work. For an excellent illustration…
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Read More: Re: Media Catching on to Green Jobs MythologyTaxes & Economy
How the EPA’s Brownfield Rules will Hurt Pennsylvania’s Economy
Former Brownfield Site in Allentown, PA The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed premature dioxin* remediation goals that could threaten urban revitalization of brownfields. Brownfields are…
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Read More: How the EPA’s Brownfield Rules will Hurt Pennsylvania’s EconomyTaxes & Economy
Long-Term Care a Growing Part of State Spending
The Healthcare Economist blog highlights the size and growth of long-term care (LTC) spending. Medicaid spending on long-term care services, including home/community care and traditional nursing homes, has approximately quadrupled in the past…
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Read More: Long-Term Care a Growing Part of State SpendingTaxes & Economy
Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology
Today The Patriot-News reports that state and federal subsidies for renewables projects are running out, leading to uncertainty that a whole new Green Economy (promoted by environmentalists)…
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Read More: Media Catching on to Green Jobs Mythology