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Taxes & Economy

Nine of 11 Fastest Growing Jobs Drilling Related

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 22, 2011

Nationwide workforce data shows oil and gas extraction jobs growing at rates far above any other sector of the American economy. According to EMSI’s latest quarterly employment data,…

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Education

Philadelphia Public Schools Among Worst in Nation

• June 22, 2011

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which compares educational performance across all 50 states and major cities, Philadelphia public schools compare poorly, even to other large urban…

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Education

The End of Last In, First Out?

• Priya Brannick
• June 21, 2011

Last month the state Senate passed SB 612, which allows schools to furlough teachers for economic reasons, which is currently prohibited.  The House is preparing to vote on a…

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Education

School Choice Around the Country

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 21, 2011

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are debating school choice for students in failing schools, which models school programs enacted in other states (many of which have been and are currently being…

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Regulation

PA Ranks 27th on Economic Freedom Index

• June 21, 2011

The Mercatus Center’s annual report of the Freedom in the 50 States ranked the Keystone State 27th in economic freedom. Pennsylvania’s overall freedom ranking has declined three places since 2007.

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These numbers don’t lie: School vouchers are Pennsylvania’s only choice

• June 21, 2011

Media Hit

Education

Education Failure Costs PA Taxpayers and Businesses

• June 20, 2011

The Wall Street Journal and Philadelphia Inquirer recently shined a light on the failure of public schools to prepare their students for college-level coursework. According to the…

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Education

Send a Lifeline to Kids in Failing Schools

• June 20, 2011

More than 106,000 children are enrolled in the 144 public schools comprising Pennsylvania’s lowest performing 5 percent on student proficiency. These schools reported more than 5,400 violent incidents…

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Pa. unemployment benefits deal won’t address debt

• June 20, 2011

Media Hit

Founding Fathers’ Rally Draw Hundreds to Kittanning

• June 20, 2011

Media Hit

Education

Children Can’t Wait for PSEA to “Fix” Violent, Failing Schools

• Matthew Brouillette
• June 16, 2011

The PSEA sent a memo to the House of Representatives discouraging legislators from sponsoring legislation that would throw lifelines to children in violent, failing schools.  I also sent the following…

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Education

Curt Schroder Offers Universal School Voucher Bill

• Nathan Benefield
• June 16, 2011

State Rep. Curt Schroder has also outlined two school choice bills he plans to introduce in the Pennsylvania House in the very near future. One is targeted to students in…

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Christiana Unveils Students and Schools Rescue Act

• Matthew Brouillette
• June 15, 2011

Only hours after speaking eloquently at our forum releasing our school choice video today, my friend Jim Christiana announced a new bill he is introducing to throw a…

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Education

New Video: Lifeline – Rescuing Kids When Schools Fail

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 15, 2011

In 2009, students trapped in our worst performing public schools endured seven rapes, 163 robberies, and two official riots. Those simple—and terrifying—facts haven’t been a big enough part of the…

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Delaying pension payments hurts our kids and grandkids

• June 15, 2011

Media Hit

Public Union Democracy

Shippensburg Asks for Prevailing Wage Relief

• Nathan Benefield
• June 14, 2011

Shippensburg Borough Council recently passed a resolution asking for state relief from prevailing wage mandates.  Prevailing wage mandates were imposed 50 years ago in Pennsylvania, following federal Davis-Bacon Act…

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Regulation

Inky Sinks Pink Drink Stink

• June 14, 2011

A hearty hoorah and hat tip goes to the Philadelphia Inquirer today for their spot-on editorial blasting the PLCB’s perestroika campaign, whereby they call beleaguered booze bumblers, “Orwellian.” In analysis of…

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State Budget

Unemployment Compensation Reform on Tap

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 13, 2011

This week, the House is expected to take up SB 1030, which would change Unemployment Compensation guidelines to ensured continue benefits for about 45,000 Pennsylvanians and help bring the…

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Tea Party Gears Up For 2012 In Contentious School Voucher Fight

• June 12, 2011

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Biofuel Failure becomes Natural Gas Success

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 10, 2011

Pat Copple owns a biodiesel plant in Monaca, or at least he did until May when he started to convert his operation into a Marcellus wastewater treating facility. Copple says the…

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Taxes & Economy

Fracking Friday

• Nathan Benefield
• June 10, 2011

There are several good articles and studies worth reading on natural gas drilling, Marcellus Shale and fracking: Katrina’s commentary on the local impact of natural gas drilling appears in today’s…

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