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.
Regulation
Defending State Pensions with Misinformation
A guest editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer defends HB2497—the pension deferral plan, by mischaracterizing its impact on the taxpayers and the economy. One myth is that a defined-benefit plan…
Media
Read More: Defending State Pensions with MisinformationGovernment Accountability
State Policies Sink Cities
Third-class cities (defined by population) in Pennsylvania, such as Lancaster, are hoping Governor-elect Tom Corbett will push legislation giving cities more autonomy from the state. The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce…
Media
Read More: State Policies Sink CitiesTaxes & Economy
PA DEP Reports Drilling Is Not Polluting the Air
In recent months, there has been much talk over air quality in areas with heavy Marcellus Shale drilling. Some have claimed drilling operations release enough chemicals into the air to…
Media
Read More: PA DEP Reports Drilling Is Not Polluting the AirEducation
Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway Government
HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement regarding yesterday’s general election: “Yesterday, millions of Pennsylvanians collectively hit the brakes on runaway government…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway GovernmentGovernment Accountability
Do We Spend Too Much on Politics?
Recent estimates put spending on midterm campaigns at over $3.6 billion nationally. That’s enough to buy 7.2 million I-pads, or roughly one dollar for every thousand spent by government.
Media
Read More: Do We Spend Too Much on Politics?Health Care
A Free Market in Health Care?!?
A commenter on our latest Policy Points on Health Care Reform describes health care as “the free market, unregulated situation at the time the Act was passed.” I’m not…
Media
Read More: A Free Market in Health Care?!?Taxes & Economy
Ridge Claims Marcellus is Exempt From No Tax Pledge
In a recent interview, former Governor Tom Ridge said that Tom Corbett could still enact a Marcellus Shale tax without breaking his promise of no…
Media
Read More: Ridge Claims Marcellus is Exempt From No Tax PledgeState Budget
Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. Congress
Government debt and wasteful spending is a constant subject on PolicyBlog and is playing a large part in this year’s elections. But one thing that isn’t so common is two…
Media
Read More: Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. CongressHealth Care
Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?
Here is an email I sent to FactCheck.org: Your recent article claims insurance premiums won’t go up. Are you kidding? Simple economics, or the experience of states like…
Media
Read More: Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?Taxes & Economy
Rendell is Still Governor, I’m Still Fact-Checking
Gov. Rendell, being bored because he can’t campaign for re-election, held another press conference, probably his four thousandth this month, to discuss the Tax Foundation’s new Business Tax Climate…
Media
Read More: Rendell is Still Governor, I’m Still Fact-CheckingTaxes & Economy
Citizens Reject “Pipeline to Nowhere”
A couple of weeks ago we blogged about DEP Secretary Hanger’s plan to build a $12 million, 12 mile water line from Montrose to Dimock to serve about 14…
Media
Read More: Citizens Reject “Pipeline to Nowhere”Taxes & Economy
Newt Says No Natural Gas Tax in PA
Yesterday, John Micek reported that Newt Gingrich expressed support for a natural gas severance tax in Pennsylvania, writing, “even Mr. Republican Revolution his ownself thinks the state should have…
Media
Read More: Newt Says No Natural Gas Tax in PATaxes & Economy
State Business Tax Climate Index 2011
Yesterday, the Tax Foundation released its 2011 State Business Tax Climate Index. The study looks at five important tax areas: corporate taxes, individual income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes,…
Media
Read More: State Business Tax Climate Index 2011Health Care
Health Care Reform: An Update
Before enacting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Congress had to pass the bill before we'd find out what's in…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Health Care Reform: An UpdateEnergy
Never Enough Green for Renewable Energy
According to Pennsylvania's Public Utilities Commission, the annual cost of ownership for solar energy per kilowatt-hour is over 700% more than the cost of coal, and wind energy is almost…
Commentary
Read More: Never Enough Green for Renewable EnergyTaxes & Economy
What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?
On Friday, I attended a Marcellus Shale Forum, which featured presentations on a variety of issues, including methane migration, water disposal, and drilling safety. Contrary to some popular belief,…
Media
Read More: What is the Source of Marcellus Misinformation?Taxes & Economy
Sorry PennFuture, No Gas Tax for Staycations
That didn’t take long. After Senate Republican leaders Joe Scarnati, Dominic Pileggi, and Jake Corman notified Gov. Ed Rendell of their “best offer” for a tax plan on the natural…
Media
Read More: Sorry PennFuture, No Gas Tax for StaycationsState Budget
Rendell’s Legacy of Spending
Here is my letter to the editor in today’s Wall Street Journal on Gov. Rendell’s spending record: Regarding the contribution of Gov. Ed Rendell in “Four…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Legacy of SpendingState Budget
Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47
Last night, Harrisburg officials held a hearing to determine if the city qualifies for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Financial Recovery Program, Act 47. Mayor Linda Thompson and Governor Rendell support entrance…
Media
Read More: Harrisburg Considers Bankruptcy, Act 47Regulation
Cities and their Bankrupt Pension Plans
A recent study, published by Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, found shocking statistics about the solvency of most city and state pension funds. The total unfunded pension liability for…
Media
Read More: Cities and their Bankrupt Pension PlansGovernment Accountability
Get Ready to Be Amazed
In Lancaster County, PA, local government officials have done the inconceivable—they’ve given up their raises. Strasburg Borough’s ten employees including police, public works, and administrative assistants, agreed to forgo…
Media
Read More: Get Ready to Be Amazed