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.
Regulation
Unwarranted Police Raids
Last week, the Daily Caller featured an article from the Institute for Justice (IJ), which revealed that police in Florida are raiding barbershops for drugs without search warrants,…
Media
Read More: Unwarranted Police RaidsGovernment Accountability
Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA House
Today, Speaker McCall called the Pennsylvania House back into voting session on November 15th. Members are expected to vote a couple of key pieces of legislation including the ill-conceived…
Media
Read More: Newspapers Decry Union Pension Bailout by Lame Duck PA HouseTaxes & Economy
PennVEST Approves the Pipeline to Nowhere
Yesterday, the PennVEST board met in a crowded room and voted to approve an “emergency application” to construct a 12-mile pipeline to about 14 homes with a $11.7 million taxpayer-funded…
Media
Read More: PennVEST Approves the Pipeline to NowhereState Budget
Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You Think
When a lot of folks, both media and pundits, talk about the Pennsylvania state budget, and the fiscal crisis facing Governor-elect Tom Corbett, they mention a…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania State Budget is Larger than You ThinkTaxes & Economy
Fracking Panel Candidate Misses Mark
Here’s a letter I wrote that ran in the Indiana Gazette today, giving perspective to Marcellus Shale drilling in Pennsylvania. To the Editor, After reading the news article,…
Media
Read More: Fracking Panel Candidate Misses MarkTaxes & Economy
Message from Voters in 2010 is Same as Message in 2006
Former Politics PA, now National Journal reporter Alex Roarty asks (via a re-tweet) whether there is any evidence that voters rejected Republicans in 2006 due to overspending. Luckily,…
Media
Read More: Message from Voters in 2010 is Same as Message in 2006Taxes & Economy
Stop the Midnight Raid on PennVEST for a “Pipeline to Nowhere”
MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the General Assembly FROM: Matthew J. Brouillette, President & CEO, Commonwealth Foundation DATE: November 8, 2010 RE: Stop Rendell/Hanger’s Midnight Raid on PennVEST…
Press Release
Read More: Stop the Midnight Raid on PennVEST for a “Pipeline to Nowhere”Taxes & Economy
PENNVEST to Vote on $12 Million “Pipeline to Nowhere” Tomorrow
Tomorrow, November 9th, PENNVEST will meet to approve a $12 million dollar grant & loan to construct a 12 mile water line from Montrose to Dimock Township in…
Media
Read More: PENNVEST to Vote on $12 Million “Pipeline to Nowhere” TomorrowRegulation
Corbett’s Challenge
As Tom Corbett prepares for his move into the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion, he must be realizing the magnitude of what he is about to undertake: the governorship of a state…
Commentary
Read More: Corbett’s ChallengeRegulation
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 PA