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Public Union Democracy

County Data Shows Prevailing Wage Hikes Costs

• Priya Brannick
• December 16, 2011

We have documented the racist origins of Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage law, how it artificially raises the costs of taxpayer-funded construction projects by 20 percent (or approximately $1 billion…

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New liquor system proposed in Pennsylvania House

• December 14, 2011

Media Hit

Beer retailers selling wine?

• December 14, 2011

Media Hit

Know Choice, Know Freedom, No Choice, No Freedom

• December 14, 2011

Parents with kids trapped in failing and violent schools are pleading with PA House members today to throw them an educational lifeline before it is too late for their…

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PA lawmakers push hybrid plan for liquor privatization

• December 13, 2011

Media Hit

Regulation

Pennsylvania Pols Pass Potent Potables Perestroika

• Nathan Benefield
• December 13, 2011

Today, the Pennsylvania House amended HB 11 and then sent it on to the full house for consideration. The first amendment guts any privatization of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control…

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Regulation

WTF! Why the Failure?

• December 13, 2011

In a move requiring mental gymnastics that would make even Nadia Comaneci pack it in, some Pennsylvania House members are praising an “historic” liquor privatization bill that cleared…

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Education

Ode to Joy – A Concert of Hope

• December 12, 2011

Why school choice?  Listen to mother, Joy Herbert, explain why it’s really her only hope.  …

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Taxes & Economy

New Study Show Impact of Shale Gas

• December 12, 2011

Hot on the heels of UGI Utilities’ 13 percent reduction in gas rates, comes a comprehensive study examining the impact of shale gas on the economy nationwide. The report…

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Health Care

How Much Will Obamacare Cost You?

• Elizabeth Stelle
• December 9, 2011

The federal health care overhaul will be paid for with spending cuts and an estimated $420 billion in new taxes. How much of that $420 billion will come out of your pocket?…

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Education

Patriot News (Mostly) Endorses School Choice

• Nathan Benefield
• December 9, 2011

This week, the Patriot News editorial board wrote an endorsement of a school voucher proposal in Pennsylvania. Here is the key pro argument: The case for vouchers is…

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Regulation

PLCB Called on to Stop Wine and Spirits Advertising

• December 9, 2011

The Commonwealth Foundation called for an immediate halt today by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board of taxpayer-funded advertising that promotes the sale of wine and spirits by the government-run monopoly.

Press Release

Education

A Word on Hellholes

• Charles Mitchell
• December 8, 2011

As I got in the car yesterday to begin a very long drive home from Pike County, I learned of a letter Sen. Vincent Hughes had sent requesting that I…

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School vouchers debated during forum

• December 8, 2011

Media Hit

Regulation

PLCB Rape Ad Illustrates Conflict of Interest

• Elizabeth Stelle
• December 8, 2011

Like a pyromaniac preaching fire prevention, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is at war with itself in a costly conflict of interest that sees the agency wasting tax dollars.   On…

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Education

School Choice in Pa. is Cure for Disaster

• Nathan Benefield
• December 8, 2011

An excellent commentary by Jeanne Allen in the Delaware County Times sums up the case for school choice and the empirical evidence: Pennsylvania’s neighbors have led by example…

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Hughes’ Views Confused

• December 8, 2011

Late last night, Sen. Vincent Hughes released to the media a public admonishment of the Commonwealth Foundation and our Vice-President and CEO Charles Mitchell.

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Education

Four of Five Philadelphia Students Not Proficient in Reading or Math

• Nathan Benefield
• December 8, 2011

Yesterday, the National Center for Education Statistics (part of the U.S. Department of Education) released district perfomance data on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).  This is part…

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Education

Are School Vouchers Constitutional in Pennsylvania?

• Nathan Benefield
• December 7, 2011

Several attacks on school choice claim that using state funds for vouchers that might go to private schools is unconstitutional. Here are some facts and legal analysis on that issue.

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Education

Hughes’ Boos a Ruse

• December 7, 2011

In the absence of facts and any plausible excuse for poor performance, it’s always a good time to attack the messenger.  As if on cue, this well-worn strategy was trotted…

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Education

Lorenzo’s Boil: Why Father Not PSEA Knows Best

• December 7, 2011

It’s just over 24 hours ago that children and parents trapped in failing and violent Pennsylvania schools delivered to Harrisburg lawmakers 4,300 messages of urgency and hope. Among the messengers was Lorenzo…

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