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.
Government 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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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…
Media
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)…
Media
Read More: Media Catching on to Green Jobs MythologyState Budget
Taxpayers Fund $1.75 Million Party (& $786 Million Convention Center)
Taxpayers are funding a $1.75 million party to kick-off the grand-opening of the $786 million convention center in Philadelphia, which Pennsylvanians also paid for through an economic development fund.
Media
Read More: Taxpayers Fund $1.75 Million Party (& $786 Million Convention Center)Taxes & Economy
Even Al Gore Opposes Ethanol Subsidies
Yesterday, former Vice President and emperor of global warming alarmism Al Gore admitted that it was a mistake to support ethanol mandates and subsidies. Gore blamed the political dynamics,…
Media
Read More: Even Al Gore Opposes Ethanol SubsidiesTaxes & Economy
Misinformation Fuels Severance Tax (or Fee)
It’s not surprising that so many Pennsylvanians believe the state needs a severance tax, when they are bombarded with biased and misleading information. A recent example comes from the…
Media
Read More: Misinformation Fuels Severance Tax (or Fee)Taxes & Economy
Are Tax Cuts Unfair?
Congress continues to debate whether to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, to allow taxes to go up on everyone, or…
Media
Read More: Are Tax Cuts Unfair?Regulation
Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What Now
My presentation to the Berks County Patriots on Pennsylvania state spending and the fiscal and economic challenges facing Pennsylvania is available below, or can be downloaded here:…
Media
Read More: Presentation on PA State Spending & Fiscal Crunch: What NowState Budget
Disingenuous Jan Jarrett
The PennFuture president yesterday continued her lamentation over a lame duck legislature’s failure to expand government, raise taxes and kill jobs: “Every day that passes without…
Media
Read More: Disingenuous Jan JarrettRegulation
No WAMS Pledge
The Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania is starting a new campaign to banish WAMs (Walking Around Money) from the General Assembly, much like some members of Congress are attempting to…
Media
Read More: No WAMS PledgeRegulation
Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?
After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…
Commentary
Read More: Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?