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

Talking Transportation Funding

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 10, 2010

PA Independent’s Eric Boehm talks with State Rep. Rick Geist about Pennsylvania transportation funding in their latest podcast. For more info on transportation funding, check out our…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

What about Jobs of Other Colors?

  • May 7, 2010

A report by Energy Ventures Analysis set straight erroneous claims made by Black and Veatch’s assessment of HB 80 and its sister bill in the PA Senate, SB92.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

An Arizona-like Immigration Law for PA?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

Following Arizona’s recent enactment of a law intended to enforce federal illegal immigration laws, Pennsylvania State Representative Daryl Metcalfe has introduced similar legislation. The law would force employers…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

State & Local Fiscal Reforms

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute recently presented a paper to the Federal Reserve of St. Louis on state and local government fiscal reforms. Edward’s four main themes were:…

Media

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State Budget

Help Stop a Tax Increase in Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

Citizens Against Government Waste has a new action alert about proposed tax hikes in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania already has the highest Corporate Net Income Tax rate in the world,…

Media

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Health Care

PA Senate Passes High Risk Pool Legislation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2010

The Pennsylvania Senate on Monday passed Sen. Mike Folmer’s high risk pool legislation.  The bill, SB 507, would create a pool for insurance companies to provide coverage to…

Media

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Regulation

Taxing Wind?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 5, 2010

Here is one tax proposal I am stunned Gov. Rendell has yet to copy – Wyoming Governor Freudenthal has proposed a tax on wind power. Of course, it would…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

More Grief for Mann

  • May 4, 2010

Virginia attorney general Kenneth Cuccinelli II has filed an exhaustive investigative request with the University of Virginia, seeking records pertaining to research grants obtained by Climategate scientist Michael Mann.

Media

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State Budget

Yes, a Severance Tax Will Discourage Drilling

  • May 4, 2010

The Philadelphia Inquirer recently depicted Gov. Rendell as willing to compromise on a natural gas severance tax in Pennsylvania, asking the industry to accept a fair severance tax. In…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan

  • May 4, 2010

A macroeconomic study of Pennsylvania's Climate Action Plan, released earlier this month, promises impressive cost savings and job creation for the state, but the report was produced by a global…

Commentary

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State Budget

Big Brother Want Your Back Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 4, 2010

Pennsylvania’s latest Orwellian tax amnesty ad – with “We Know Who You Are” – has been making the rounds. Reason, Cato Institute, and Grassroots PA all blog…

Media

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State Budget

Rendell vs. Rendell on New Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 3, 2010

Here is a quote from Gov. Rendell, from way back in February in his budget address, discussing the new taxes he was proposing: I want to be crystal clear…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Climate Change “Deniers” Protest in Pittsburgh

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 3, 2010

Yesterday, PennFuture welcomed Dr. Mann to Pittsburgh as part of the Experts and Heroes conference. As attendees munched on hummus and pita chips some “deniers” protested outside with…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Transportation Special Session Survival Guide

  • May 3, 2010

Gov. Rendell has called a special session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to discuss transportation funding. Here are some resources on financing and managing Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure.

Fact Sheet

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State Budget

Maybe Gov. Rendell Needs to Listen to Different Advisers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 3, 2010

Pennsylvania has a massive state budget hole, and it can be chalked up to one cause – listening to the wrong people. Gov. Rendell put his faith in folks at…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

PennFuture Pal Lets the Truth Out

  • April 29, 2010

Katrina Currie’s excellent posts during the last two weeks, which refuted PennFuture’s absurd claims about job creation and cost savings tied to alternative energy, as well…

Media

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Health Care

Devasting Critique of New Health Care Law

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 28, 2010

John Goodman offers a fine summary of a devastating critique of ObamaCare, produced by … the Obama Administration: Health care costs will go up, not…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Natural Gas Taxes Across the States

  • April 28, 2010

Gov. Rendell and other advocates for a natural gas severance tax make the claim that Pennsylvania is the only major gas producing state not to impose this tax and therefore…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Will Work Sharing Bill Save Jobs?

  • April 27, 2010

On Monday, the Pennsylvania House unanimously passed HB 2160, the “work-share” bill. The legislation is designed to encourage employers to reduce employees hours instead of laying off workers.

Media

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Taxes & Economy

PA Needs Infinity Dollars to Repair Roads

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 27, 2010

The Tribune Review has a story that transportation advocates are now claiming that Pennsylvania needs $3 billion in additional revenue per year just to keep roads and bridges up…

Media

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