Media

Public Union Democracy

Government Unions Torpedo Agenda

• Nathan Benefield
• July 3, 2013

The state budget deadline came and went without passage of any of the “Big Three” policy items—liquor store privatization, pension reform, or transportation tax and fee increases. It was clear…

Media

Pennsylvania budget doesn’t sit well with some legislators

• July 2, 2013

Media Hit

Regulation

Consumers Still Waiting for Convenience

• July 2, 2013

Consumers still demand convenience when it comes to purchasing alcohol, according to a story in the Patriot News, despite the General Assembly’s delay on passing liquor privatization until after…

Media

Health Care

Lawmakers Stand up for Taxpayers, Reject Medicaid Expansion

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 2, 2013

Yesterday, 108 House Representatives voted to protect taxpayers from an expansion of the broken and unaffordable Medicaid program. You can thank them here. Medicaid expansion is an optional part of…

Media

Pa. lawmakers have some explaining to do for what they didn’t get done

• July 2, 2013

Media Hit

McIlhinney pulls in nearly $50K from beer distributors, unions

• July 2, 2013

Media Hit

Letters to the Editor

• July 2, 2013

Media Hit

‘Delaware loophole’ in Pennsylvania tax law appears doomed

• July 2, 2013

Media Hit

Public Union Democracy

Disappointing Budget Shows Need to Keep Fighting

• Matthew Brouillette
• July 1, 2013

This past weekend was not for the political faint of heart. Special interests, led by government union bosses and crony capitalists, prevented real liquor privatization and effective pension reform from…

Media

A relic of another time

• July 1, 2013

Media Hit

Lobbyists lick their wounds and dream of another day: column

• July 1, 2013

Media Hit

States find ways to raise taxes without saying so

• June 30, 2013

Media Hit

In Pa., waters receded, flood tax stayed

• June 30, 2013

Media Hit

Regulation

Liquor Liberty Coming to PA?

• Matthew Brouillette
• June 29, 2013

Early this morning, the Pennsylvania Senate passed an amendment written by Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi to the historic liquor privatization bill that passed the House three months ago. …

Media

Health Care

Medicaid Expansion is Risky Business

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 29, 2013

Both Republicans and Democrats have recently engaged in some risky business by pushing for the Medicaid expansion. They’ve been quick to assure state taxpayers they won’t be left with an enormous…

Media

Education

School Districts’ Fund Balances Grow Despite Budget Squeeze

• Priya Brannick
• June 28, 2013

Despite claims of severe budget cuts, school districts’ fund balances—their rainy day funds—grew last year.  School districts increased their fund balances in 2011-12 by more than $200 million.  As of…

Media

Regulation

New Senate Liquor Proposal Still Falls Short, Part Deux

• June 28, 2013

The Senate’s latest liquor proposal is out, but from the consumer perspective, leaves much to be desired. The plan does not get government out of the booze business. Although…

Media

Education

The Truth on Cyber School Performance

• Priya Brannick
• June 28, 2013

Here is a letter to the editor I submitted to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Pennsylvania cyber school performance: Mary Niederberger reports on a new, largely positive charter school study…

Media

Regulation

Podcast: Where Does Pension Reform Stand?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 28, 2013

On this BOX Program podcast, Representative Fred Keller (R) 85th District, joins Nathan Benefield to break down what’s been happening in the legislature on pension reform. Both the House and…

Media

Education

Burger Flipper or National Merit Scholar?

• June 27, 2013

Mechanicsburg student Colin Knott is a National Merit Scholar—putting him in the top one percent of students nationwide—and already has 25 college credits under his belt prior to his first…

Media

Government Accountability

What Can You Do?

• Matthew Brouillette
• June 27, 2013

The next hours and days could dramatically shape Pennsylvania’s future, but will it be for the better? As time winds down before the final budget passes, several critical issues hang…

Media