High 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

Manning Up Isn’t For ‘Wusses’

  • December 29, 2010

As the old saying goes, “it takes one to know one,” and outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell, who has obviously spent more time analyzing the Philadelphia Eagles than bringing jobs back…

Media

Read More: Manning Up Isn’t For ‘Wusses’

Taxes & Economy

Reverse Coercion Course

  • December 27, 2010

That’s what I wrote yesterday in an opinion piece for the Patriot-News, about Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, which requires utilities to purchase 18 percent of their electricity…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Job Creation Continues

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 23, 2010

A recent Williamsport Sun-Gazette article gives props to the natural gas industry for being an economic boost, and keeping unemployment relatively low in Bradford County, a central hub for…

Media

Read More: Marcellus Shale Job Creation Continues

Taxes & Economy

So Long, Specter

  • December 23, 2010

The Washington Examiner‘s Tim Carney today reviews Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter’s farewell speech to the U.S. Senate, and characterizes it as “20 minutes of self-serving gripes, empty name-calling,…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Skewed Poll on Gas Drilling

  • December 22, 2010

A recent survey by the Civil Society Institute is so misleading that even professional skewed poll creators PennFuture and Gov. Rendell can pick up tips. The only…

Media

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Regulation

Cigarette Taxes Increase Crime

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 21, 2010

Our friends at the Mackinac Center have released a study on the smuggling of cigarettes due to high cigarette taxes. While politicians often tout raising taxes as a tool to…

Media

Read More: Cigarette Taxes Increase Crime

Health Care

Medicaid: A State Budget Buster

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 20, 2010

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…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy Failure

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 17, 2010

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…

Media

Read More: Oregon Ducks Renewable Energy Failure

Taxes & Economy

The “Fair Share” Canard

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • December 16, 2010

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…

Media

Read More: The “Fair Share” Canard

Taxes & Economy

Pipeline to Nowhere is Dead

  • December 16, 2010

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

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Regulation

New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor Stores

  • December 15, 2010

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…

Media

Read More: New Poll Shows Growing Support for Selling Liquor Stores

State Budget

The Pot of Debt at the End of Rendell’s Rainbow

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 13, 2010

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 Rainbow

Taxes & Economy

Facts Not Fear For Drilling Issue

  • December 10, 2010

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.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

I Got Your Energy Security Right Here

  • December 9, 2010

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…

Media

Read More: I Got Your Energy Security Right Here

Government Accountability

Legislators Refuse COLA Increase

  • December 8, 2010

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

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Government Accountability

Lawsuit Lottery Must End

  • December 8, 2010

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

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Taxes & Economy

Do you know the drill?

  • December 7, 2010

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…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Super Rendell Finds Bailout For Failing Port Authority

  • December 6, 2010

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…

Media

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Government Accountability

Best Legislative Session Ever?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 6, 2010

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…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

How Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 3, 2010

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…

Media

Read More: How Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

Taxes & Economy

Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 3, 2010

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…

Media

Read More: Oprah’s Dog Law Lacks Bite?