Media

Government Accountability

Common Cause: Gas Political Money Can’t Match Unions

• Nathan Benefield
• November 11, 2011

The third or fourth report by Common Cause PA on political spending (campaign contributions and lobbying) by the natural gas industry reveals nothing new. According to Common Cause, the Political…

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Regulation

CF Answers Your Questions: Liquor Privatization

• Nathan Benefield
• November 11, 2011

We had a few questions remaining from audience members following last week’s PolicyCast. In this short video, Priya Abraham and I tackle three questions on proposals to privatize state-run liquor…

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Education

Rep. Ryan Aument & Teacher Evaluations on The BOX

• November 10, 2011

In our newest The BOX Program podcast, State Representative Ryan Aument discusses his role in spearheading education reform in the House with host Matt Brouillette. How would new teacher evaluation…

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Vouchers will save students in harm’s way

• November 9, 2011

Media Hit

Education

Chart of the Day: Pennsylvania Spending and Performance

• Nathan Benefield
• November 8, 2011

Following yesterday’s post highlighting Pennsylvania’s performance on the Nation’s Report Card, a fan asked us to chart performance side-by-side with public school spending. The chart below shows the increase…

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Education

Nation’s Report Card: How Did Pennsylvania Schools Do?

• Nathan Benefield
• November 7, 2011

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released “The Nation’s Report Card,” looking at students’ performance on the National Assessement of Educational Programs, or NAEP, in 2011.  In…

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Study: Test scores linked with violence

• November 7, 2011

Media Hit

Study: Convenience main benefit if liquor sales are privatized

• November 6, 2011

Media Hit

Outcome of Ohio labor showdown could have ramifications here

• November 6, 2011

Media Hit

Regulation

The Real Housewives of the PLCB?

• November 4, 2011

From the directors of such fine films as The Great Kiosk Catastrophe, The Inventory System of Doom, and Big Brother Border Bleed comes its latest house of horrors: …

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Education

Father or State Knows Best?

• November 3, 2011

So who knows what is best for a son or daughter – Pennsylvania government or a parent?  While many argue that parental…

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Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Lowers Heating Bills

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 2, 2011

The Pittsburgh Tribune and Erie Times report natural gas prices are decreasing as we approach the winter months. Rates per thousand cubic feet are dropping across western Pennsylvania.

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A Local Look at Marcellus Shale with Rep. Tina Pickett

• Nathan Benefield
• November 2, 2011

State Rep. Tina Pickett represents the 110th legislative district—covering a large part of what is now considered “Marcellus Shale country.” She took some time to sit down with Matt Brouillette…

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Education

The Economic Cost of Education Failure

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 1, 2011

If you don’t have a child in a failing school, you may think that SB 1 and the education reforms it contains are of no benefit to you. Think again.

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Education

Teacher Evaluations in DC Help Teachers and Students

• Priya Brannick
• November 1, 2011

After three years, Washington D.C.’s IMPACT evaluation system for teachers is improving teacher performance and benefiting students. The results (reported by Democrats for Education Reform) are noteworthy for…

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Education

Sen. Pat Browne Talks School & Liquor Choice

• Nathan Benefield
• October 31, 2011

In the latest edition of The BOX Program podcast, State Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne sits down sits down with Matt Brouillette.  Sen. Browne discusses school choice and liquor store…

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Taxes & Economy

State Energy Mandates Cost up to $440 million

• October 28, 2011

A new study by Penn State scholars found Pennsylvania’s alternative energy mandates will cost taxpayers up to $60 million next year and up to $440 million in ten years.

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Taxes & Economy

PA’s High Unemployment Taxes

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 28, 2011

Pennsylvania employers pay some of the highest unemployment insurance taxes in the nation, according to a new study by the Tax Foundation. Tax rates vary based on the frequency of layoffs.

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Taxes & Economy

100,000+ Improperly Get Pa. Med Benefits

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 27, 2011

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare testified that hundreds of thousands of individuals were improperly receiving Medicaid, taxpayer-funded health care for the poor and the disabled. Capitolwire writes:…

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Education

Pa. Kids are Learning ZIP!

• October 27, 2011

You’ve heard of A Tale of Two Cities?  Well, how about the tale of two city blocks?  For 82,000 kids trapped in violent and failing…

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Education

34 Seconds of Truth Vs. $2 million of Fallacy

• October 26, 2011

It’s getting late in Harrisburg and defenders of the education status quo are pulling out all the stops in order to thwart a rescue of 82,000…

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