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.
Energy
Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s Economy
Pennsylvania has always been a leading provider of America's energy. From timber and coal to the nation's first commercial oil well, and now the Marcellus Shale boom, traditional energy is…
Commentary
Read More: Traditional Energy Fuels Pennsylvania’s EconomyTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvanians Have Good Reasons to Oppose Higher Fuel Taxes
Grove City College economist Tracy Miller explains why Pennsylvania drivers are resistant to a higher gasoline tax. In contrast to prior periods when the tax was viewed as a…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvanians Have Good Reasons to Oppose Higher Fuel TaxesTaxes & Economy
Municipalities Gain Authority to Regulate Drilling
Previously, local municipalities could not impose restrictions on gas drilling separate from those required by the state. However, several Pennsylvania court decisions have begun to give local officials additional regulatory…
Media
Read More: Municipalities Gain Authority to Regulate DrillingTaxes & Economy
Had Enough Skewed Polls from Gov. Rendell Yet?
Ed Rendell’s “campaign” financed a new poll which was then given to the Governor’s Office to distribute, as well as to the propaganda arm of DEP and a…
Media
Read More: Had Enough Skewed Polls from Gov. Rendell Yet?Health Care
Insurance Hypocrisy
I saw a commercial during an episode of Jeopardy from the Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority. It warns people against trying to buy car insurance after an accident…
Media
Read More: Insurance HypocrisyEducation
Gov. Rendell’s Gamesmanship
While table games have been in Pennsylvania casinos for more than a month, I don't know if Gov. Rendell has tried his luck. But it would be a safe wager…
Commentary
Read More: Gov. Rendell’s GamesmanshipTaxes & Economy
The U.S. ‘Jobs Spill’
Today the American Energy Alliance released a video about how tax policies on U.S. energy development drive jobs overseas. Included in the piece is…
Media
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Turnpike Commission, PennDOT Fight Over Their Spoils
The Patriot News today reports that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) and the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are arguing over how much money the PTC has to pay…
Media
Read More: Turnpike Commission, PennDOT Fight Over Their SpoilsState Budget
Why Lawmakers Don’t (And Shouldn’t) Raise Taxes
Terry Madonna and Michael Young have a new column asking why Pennsylvania lawmakers are so loath to raise taxes: This response differs dramatically from past practice. Throughout most…
Media
Read More: Why Lawmakers Don’t (And Shouldn’t) Raise TaxesTaxes & Economy
Subsidies For Me But Not For Thee
Advocates of the natural gas jobs tax constantly argue large drilling companies aren’t paying their “fair share”. Now the tax-me-more folks are taking it one step further — attacking the…
Media
Read More: Subsidies For Me But Not For TheeHealth Care
“Explaining” ObamaCare
Merrill Matthews has a piece up on Forbes.com on why ObamaCare needs explaining…to those who voted for it. The report also says, “It is critical to reassure seniors…
Media
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The A-Team View of Taxes
As a kid growing up, I used to love watching the A-Team every week. Each week the A-Team would find someone in trouble, usually due to a violent gang of…
Media
Read More: The A-Team View of TaxesTaxes & Economy
Speech Pathologist Goes On Taxpayer-Funded Spending Spree
The Daily Review reports that Towanda Speech Pathologist Peter Ferrulli admitted to submitting false Medicaid claims totaling more than $365,000. Ferrulli routinely double-billed the program, and used the extra…
Media
Read More: Speech Pathologist Goes On Taxpayer-Funded Spending SpreeRegulation
Philadelphia’s Blogger Tax
In case you missed it, the city of Philadelphia is demanding local bloggers pay a $300 business privilege license, as reported by the Philadelphia City Paper, despite not making…
Media
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Pennsylvania Guzzles PLCB Advertising
Snazzy Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) internet ads are making a splash, and the “largest purchaser of wine and liquor in the United States” has a slick new website at FineWineandGoodSpirits.com.
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Guzzles PLCB AdvertisingTaxes & Economy
How to Write Leading Poll Questions
Gov. Rendell continues to push for higher taxes and fees for transportation, this time by commissioning a poll — paid for with campaign funds (which are legally only to be…
Media
Read More: How to Write Leading Poll QuestionsTaxes & Economy
Propaganda Without Logic
I previously highlighted a state-run newsletter on Marcellus Shale, which basically represents taxpayer-funded lobbying. But the latest Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Examiner would really blow Mr. Spock’s mind. The…
Media
Read More: Propaganda Without LogicRegulation
Rendell’s Pinocchio Moment on WAMs
During yesterday’s press conference, Roxbury News reported Gov. Rendell saying, “Opportunity Grants are not WAMS.” Really? Forget the numerous failures of Opportunity Grant recipients, like the $750,000 awarded to…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Pinocchio Moment on WAMsTaxes & Economy
Alternative Energy Mandates Remain Costly
This month, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) report evaluating the state’s alternative energy mandates surfaced, a mere two years overdue. Undoubtedly, pressure from the press for…
Media
Read More: Alternative Energy Mandates Remain CostlyState Budget
“Across the Board” Budget Cuts are Lazy Policy
Gov. Rendell announced that to balance the Pennsylvania state budget — after getting $250 million less from Congress than predicted — he would be ordering cuts of 1.9% “across-the-board,”…
Media
Read More: “Across the Board” Budget Cuts are Lazy PolicyTaxes & Economy
Pittsburgh’s Proposed Petroleum Prohibition
The Post-Gazette features an article on a proposed ban on natural gas drilling in the city of Pittsburgh: Ben Price, who helped draft the bill as projects director…
Media
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