Media

Education

Facts vs. Silly Rhetoric on School Choice

• Nathan Benefield
• October 26, 2011

Tonight, I am speaking at a forum on school choice, and wanted to find some absurd, outlandish, and easily refuted claims from school choice opponents to lead with. Thanks…

Media

Regulation

Did Union Boss Young Read Wrong Liquor Study?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 26, 2011

The union boss who earns nearly $300,000 each year by forcing liquor store employees to pay dues to his union released a statement regarding the PFM group’s report…

Media

Regulation

Highlights from Governor’s Liquor Privatization Summary

• Nathan Benefield
• October 25, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett released a long-awaited study from The PFM Group on state liquor store privatization. Click here for the full study (nearly 300 pages), or here to get…

Media

Education

WIFM? All the Difference in the World

• Matthew Brouillette
• October 25, 2011

As Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly consider a package of education reform bills, some legislators are asking “What’s in it for me?”  The WIFM question isn’t necessarily selfish or…

Media

Education

School Choice Saves, School Choice Sells

• Charles Mitchell
• October 25, 2011

Harrisburg is atwitter this morning as the Senate Education Committee is voting on school choice legislation.  Let’s quickly rebut three myths that are circulating: School choice saves money.  It’s…

Media

Pensions a heavy financial burden

• October 25, 2011

Media Hit

Education

Ackerman: School Choice Necessary to Reform Failing Schools

• Priya Brannick
• October 24, 2011

In case you missed it, former Philadelphia superintendent Arlene Ackerman emphatically endorsed vouchers and an expanded charter school system as the best way to rescue kids in failing schools.  She writes:…

Media

Education

Want a 70% Approval Rating?

• Charles Mitchell
• October 24, 2011

Let’s be real.  One of the things that often gets CF into trouble is that from the outside, it seems like we never need to worry about whether the free-market…

Media

Regulation

Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2011

The Patriot News obtained a draft copy of the forthcoming study on liquor store privatization commissioned by Gov. Tom Corbett. According to the story, the report predicts auctioning…

Media

Study: Erie Schools Among Most Violent, Failing in State

• October 21, 2011

Media Hit

Education

School Choice: Accountable and Successful

• Nathan Benefield
• October 21, 2011

Here is a recent letter I submitted to the Delaware County Times: A recent story carries the title, “Educators oppose guv’s voucher plan,” though the story quotes no…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Blame Game No Jobs Gain

• Nathan Benefield
• October 20, 2011

Pennsylvania House Democrats put out an email blaming Gov. Corbett and Republicans for a lousy economy: Since Republicans passed the Corbett budget in June, unemployment in Pennsylvania has risen more…

Media

Regulation

Knowles’ Bill Puts Taxpayers Above Special Interests

• October 20, 2011

Liquor store union president Wendell Young appears to be on a campaign to discredit any lawmaker that favors removing the state’s monopoly stranglehold over liquor sales. You can…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Natural Gas Jobs Doubled in Last Three Years

• October 20, 2011

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry released their latest Marcellus Shale Fast Facts, illustrating the important economic stimulus that drilling represents to the commonwealth. Key Findings Include: Marcellus…

Media

Education

School Choice Saves Kids, Taxpayers $4 Billion

• Nathan Benefield
• October 19, 2011

Critics of expanding school choice in Pennsylvania often claim it will “cost too much” or drain precious resources. But in fact, school choice already saves Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $4…

Media

Regulation

Is Liquor Liberty Dangerous?

• October 19, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board operates with a clear conflict of interest. It is charged with both enforcement and managing sales. It spends millions to advertise alcohol products.

Media

Education

Truth About Failing Schools is Scary

• Nathan Benefield
• October 18, 2011

Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released an analysis updating violence statistics from failing public schools. These 141 schools with data available all rank in the bottom-5 percent based on…

Media

Education

Analysis Finds Failing Public Schools Racked by Violence

• October 18, 2011

The Commonwealth Foundation released today an alarming new analysis of school violence that uncovered more than 4,500 criminal acts occurred at the 141 public schools scoring worst in the…

Press Release

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2011

The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee held a hearing today on a number of proposals to eliminate, reduce, or change the state inheritance tax. The Pennsylvania inheritance tax applies to all…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Inheritance Tax Reform

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2011

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis, Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, Pennsylvania House Finance Committee Good morning. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis for…

Testimony

Do vouchers help students?

• October 17, 2011

Media Hit