Media

Corbett’s health care conflict

• November 7, 2010

Media Hit

Corbett has mandate to be fiscally sound

• November 6, 2010

Media Hit

PA House Cancels Lame-Duck Session

• Nathan Benefield
• November 5, 2010

Today, Pennsylvania House of Representatives leaders announced there would be no more voting days this year, rather than holding a planned lame-duck session. Please be advised that the…

Media

Education

Bethel Park Teachers Strike

• November 5, 2010

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported that Bethel Park teachers were on strike for the sixth time in thirty years. Interrupting classes in order to negotiate taxpayer-funded salaries and benefits…

Media

Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information?

• November 4, 2010

Media Hit

Regulation

Defending State Pensions with Misinformation

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 4, 2010

A guest editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer defends HB2497—the pension deferral plan, by mischaracterizing its impact on the taxpayers and the economy. One myth is that a defined-benefit plan…

Media

Government Accountability

State Policies Sink Cities

• November 3, 2010

Third-class cities (defined by population) in Pennsylvania, such as Lancaster, are hoping Governor-elect Tom Corbett will push legislation giving cities more autonomy from the state. The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce…

Media

Taxes & Economy

PA DEP Reports Drilling Is Not Polluting the Air

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 3, 2010

In recent months, there has been much talk over air quality in areas with heavy Marcellus Shale drilling. Some have claimed drilling operations release enough chemicals into the air to…

Media

Education

Pennsylvania Voters Hit the Brakes on Runaway Government

• November 3, 2010

HARRISBURG, PA — Commonwealth Foundation President & CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement regarding yesterday’s general election: “Yesterday, millions of Pennsylvanians collectively hit the brakes on runaway government…

Press Release

Government Accountability

PA Election Fun Facts

• Nathan Benefield
• November 3, 2010

In case you missed our Election Night Live Blog last night, here are some highlights and fun facts. While Pat Toomey won the election for US Senate, he trailed…

Media

Pension reform bill economically ‘unsustainable’

• November 2, 2010

Media Hit

Government Accountability

Election Night Live Chat

• Nathan Benefield
• November 2, 2010

Tonight, beginning at 4 pm until around midnight, we will be live blogging about the election results.  In addition to CF’s team, the blog will feature PA Independent’s reporters,…

Media

Education

What’s Missing in Higher Education

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 2, 2010

While inputs like SAT scores, class rank, and GPA are plentiful, there are very few measures of college outputs, and the ones that are reported are very concerning.  An analysis…

Media

Government Accountability

Do We Spend Too Much on Politics?

• November 1, 2010

Recent estimates put spending on midterm campaigns at over $3.6 billion nationally. That’s enough to buy 7.2 million I-pads, or roughly one dollar for every thousand spent by government.

Media

Health Care

A Free Market in Health Care?!?

• Nathan Benefield
• November 1, 2010

A commenter on our latest Policy Points on Health Care Reform describes health care as “the free market, unregulated situation at the time the Act was passed.” I’m not…

Media

State’s Rising Debt an Albatross

• November 1, 2010

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Ridge Claims Marcellus is Exempt From No Tax Pledge

• October 29, 2010

In a recent interview, former Governor Tom Ridge said that Tom Corbett could still enact a Marcellus Shale tax without breaking his promise of no…

Media

Government Accountability

Former Rep. Jeff Coleman Rejoins Commonwealth Foundation

• October 29, 2010

HARRISBURG, PA —  The Commonwealth Foundation is pleased to announce that former State Representative Jeff Coleman has rejoined the Foundation as a senior fellow. Mr. Coleman was elected to the…

Press Release

The Other Big Debate This Election Cycle– The ‘Wets’ vs. ‘Drys’

• October 29, 2010

Media Hit

State Budget

Spending Cuts for the Next U.S. Congress

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 29, 2010

Government debt and wasteful spending is a constant subject on PolicyBlog and is playing a large part in this year’s elections. But one thing that isn’t so common is two…

Media

Health Care

Is FactCheck Recycling Talking Points on ObamaCare?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 29, 2010

Here is an email I sent to FactCheck.org: Your recent article claims insurance premiums won’t go up. Are you kidding? Simple economics, or the experience of states like…

Media