Regulation

Shocking Shelf Charade Shakes Sultans of Syrah

  • January 2, 2013

Is the fix in for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s “in-house” government wine program?  Do one-legged ducks swim in circles? Of course, and intrepid Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Kari Andren has…

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Regulation

Lottery Privatization Process = Full Term Pregnancy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 28, 2012

Nine months is a long time…trust me, I’m seven months pregnant. So why are critics arguing the lottery bidding process has been hurried? Far from being secretive…

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Taxes & Economy

Pa.’s Economic Glass Half Full?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 27, 2012

Will Bunch’s column in the Philadelphia Daily News last week takes a very negative view of Pennsylvania’s economic climate, based on the premise that the state unemployment rate is higher…

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Education

Busting Charter School Funding Myths

  • Priya Brannick
  • December 27, 2012

Charter schools are under fire again this month, following renewed criticism from Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner on how the schools spend and save their funding.

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Q: How Do I Resign From My Union

  • December 22, 2012

Here is a sample union resignation letter to the PSEA, which represents teachers in most of Pennsylvania’s school districts. Your collective bargaining agreement may contain a “maintenance of membership”…

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Public Union Democracy

The Grinch Who Would Steal Seniors’ Christmas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 20, 2012

A faux-grassroots group funded by government unions is protesting a proposed contract for a private company to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery. The deal would guarantee a minimum of…

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Regulation

Wizards of Wine Hide Behind Irony Curtain

  • December 20, 2012

Here in the land of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, within the comfy confines of the Wine Shrine bellows a great voice. “Do you presume to criticize…

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2012 Hudson Notice For Fair Share Fee Payers

  • December 20, 2012

The PSEA has just sent out its latest “Hudson notice” to some 5,000 fee payers across Pennsylvania. The notice includes union financial information and explains how the fee is…

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Regulation

Poor Pension Policy Could Harm Bond Rating

  • December 19, 2012

Last week, Moody’s Investor Service released a warning to state and local governments on borrowing to finance underfunded pension systems, commonly referred to as pension obligation bonds. The report…

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Public Union Democracy

Government Unions Tighten Squeeze

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 17, 2012

Following the passage of Right to Work in Michigan, pundits are wondering about the prospects of similar reform here in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Inquirer correctly notes Right…

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Health Care

Hidden Costs of Obamacare Exposed

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • December 14, 2012

While much has been written about the cost of the exchange and the Medicaid expansion, a mountain of hidden mandates could cost Pennsylvania taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over…

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Public Union Democracy

Are You a Freeloader?

  • December 13, 2012

Yesterday, Jon Delano of KDKA Pittsburgh asked the question: Could Pennsylvania be next for right-to-work legislation?  As you know from the lessons learned from Michigan’s recent passage…

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Health Care

Corbett Exchange Decision Right Call

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • December 13, 2012

Governor Corbett’s decision yesterday to refuse to implement a state-based health care exchange under the Affordable Care Act (which means Pennsylvania will revert to a federally-run exchange), was the…

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