Education

Pension Cost Conundrum: Cut Teachers or Raise Taxes?

  • June 14, 2013

A recent report released by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute estimates Philadelphia School District (SDP) pension payments will total $349 million by 2020, which is a 378 percent increase…

Media

Read More: Pension Cost Conundrum: Cut Teachers or Raise Taxes?

Education

Districts Save What Cybers Spend

  • June 13, 2013

How much of Pennsylvania’s education spending goes to public cyber schools? Just 1 percent, or $319 million. Keep this in mind when reading about new data on school district…

Media

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Regulation

Poll: Privatization must include wholesale

  • June 13, 2013

Eliminate the Government Middleman: Poll Shows Privatizing Retail Alcohol Sales without Wholesale Privatization Insufficient Harrisburg, PA  – A new poll conducted on June 11th by Red Maverick…

Press Release

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Regulation

Goverment Middleman Bad for Consumers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 12, 2013

The Scranton Times Tribune has an excellent editorial explaining that the state government monopoly over liquor wholesale is just a bad as its monopoly over wine and spirits retail…

Media

Read More: Goverment Middleman Bad for Consumers

Regulation

Podcast: Why Does Wholesale Privatization Matter?

  • June 10, 2013

For most of us, liquor privatization means making liquor more convenient and affordable by getting rid of Prohibition era, state-run stores and unleashing the power of the private sector. But…

Media

Read More: Podcast: Why Does Wholesale Privatization Matter?

Regulation

Shocking Sheetz Statement Shames Senator

  • June 7, 2013

Fellow Pennsylvanians, we’ve all been there: road-weary on a long drive home, hungry and low on gas, and there it is…a big, red beacon of hope and MTOs…you have made…

Media

Read More: Shocking Sheetz Statement Shames Senator

State Budget

Senate Transportation Proposal Rolls On

  • June 6, 2013

In a bipartisan vote, the state Senate approved a bill that would fund a $2.5 billion increase in Pennsylvania’s transportation funding. Like Gov. Corbett’s…

Media

Read More: Senate Transportation Proposal Rolls On

Regulation

Government Wholesale Monopoly Bad for Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2013

Testimony to the Senate Law and Justice Committee yesterday illustrated why wholesale privatization must be a part of “modernizing” liquor sales in Pennsylvania. The PLCB’s wholesale monopoly can’t serve current,…

Media

Read More: Government Wholesale Monopoly Bad for Pennsylvania

Health Care

More Reasons to Pass on Medicaid Expansion

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 5, 2013

Elected officials are standing strong in their opposition to the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, despite a number of “independent studies” touting the benefits of “…

Media

Read More: More Reasons to Pass on Medicaid Expansion

Regulation

New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

  • June 5, 2013

The final Senate hearing on liquor privatization has concluded, where do things stand for Pennsylvania taxpayers and consumers? Carl Marrara, director of government affairs for Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association and…

Media

Read More: New Video: What’s Happening with Liquor Privatization?

Regulation

Time is Ticking

  • June 4, 2013

This morning marks the final hearing in the Senate on the House-approved proposal to privatize Pennsylvania’s Prohibition-era liquor system.  Time is ticking for the Senate to finally end the government…

Media

Read More: Time is Ticking

Education

Cyber Schools Receive Less Per Student

  • Priya Brannick
  • June 3, 2013

Pennsylvania cyber schools receive on average about 20 percent less revenue per student than school districts spend. Like other public charter schools, cyber schools receive funds only when families choose…

Media

Read More: Cyber Schools Receive Less Per Student

Education

Cyber Schools: 1% of Education Spending

  • Priya Brannick
  • May 31, 2013

In 2010-11, public cyber schools cost $319 million out of $25 billion on PreK-12 spending—just 1% of Pennsylvania’s total public education spending. Cyber vs. School District Spending, 2010-11 Total Per-Student…

Media

Read More: Cyber Schools: 1% of Education Spending

Regulation

Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year Later

  • May 31, 2013

On June 1, it will be one year since Washington state ended its government monopoly on liquor sales. To mark the occasion, the Seattle Times has provided a nice…

Media

Read More: Washington Liquor Privatization: One Year Later

Public Union Democracy

Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?

  • May 31, 2013

Pennsylvania needs pension reform that provides state workers with a sustainable retirement system that’s fair to new workers, existing employees and taxpayers. What are our options? The current system is…

Media

Read More: Will Switching to a 401(k) Plan Cost You More?