Media

Taxes & Economy

Lancaster Co. Human Relations Commission

• Nathan Benefield
• July 29, 2010

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this issue.  My name is Nate Benefield, I am Director of Policy Research with the Commonwealth Foundation in Harrisburg. We are a…

Testimony

Education

More on Government Jobs in Recession

• July 29, 2010

The Rockefeller Institute of Government recently analyzed a Bureau of Labor Statistics report on jobs at this point in the recession. The report finds that with 9.2% unemployment,…

Media

State Budget

How to Reduce Welfare Fraud

• Nathan Benefield
• July 28, 2010

Following Matt Brouillette’s commentary on whether Tom Corbett (should he win) can balance the budget and keep his ‘no tax’ pledge,…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Corbett on Death Tax and Farmers

• July 28, 2010

Governor hopeful, Tom Corbett, has voiced support for phasing out the state’s death tax. At a meeting organized by Farm Families for Tom Corbett and Pennsylvania Agricultural Republicans, Corbett cited…

Media

Can Pennsylvania Grow Money from Trees?

• July 28, 2010

Harrisburg, PA –  The Commonwealth Foundation (CF) today released Growing Money on Trees: An Analysis of PA’s Climate Change Action Plan, offering a cost-benefit analysis…

Press Release

State Budget

What if State Government Hired a Psychic?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 28, 2010

The Tribune Review adds on to the continuing Orie sisters saga, that not only did they seek the advice of a clairvoyant, but that clairvoyant asked for a…

Media

Regulation

Tax For Soccer

• July 27, 2010

It’s not soccer players or fans that will be taxed to pay for the Major League Soccer stadium in Chester, but the visitors who patronize bed and breakfasts or hotels…

Media

I&R: Our Inalienable Right To Reform

• July 27, 2010

Media Hit

Government Accountability

Lawmakers Call for Public Integrity Commission

• Nathan Benefield
• July 27, 2010

In the wake of convictions, indictments, and investigations of Pennsylvania lawmakers and staff, several legislators have called for a new Public Integrity Commission. The Commission would replace the current…

Media

Regulation

Free Parking? Only in “Monopoly”

• July 26, 2010

Privatization Watch, which warns against privatizing government services, alerts locals that if Pittsburgh parking garages are leased to a private company the per day parking cost would increase by…

Media

Pennsylvania biggest casino taxer

• July 26, 2010

Media Hit

Elk County community says Rendell delivered on state aid promise

• July 26, 2010

Media Hit

Education

Do Conservatives Support National Education Standards?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 26, 2010

The Fordham Institute, long advocates of national education standards, are celebrating the adoption of the Common Core Curriculum, calling it “national standards conservatives can love”. The basis for this…

Media

Regulation

Fact Check: Pennsylvania’s Liquor Store Revenue

• Nathan Benefield
• July 26, 2010

Many myths continue about the privatization of Pennsylvania’s state-owned liquor stores. One is that the state government would lose annual revenue from liquor sales. See Wendell Young, speaking on behalf…

Media

Regulation

Reviewing the Financial Crisis

• Nathan Benefield
• July 25, 2010

Nicole Gelinas has a great piece surveying a number of books on the financial crisis. Contrary to conventional wisdom, many in the finance world foresaw the collapse, some big…

Media

Pa. Liquor Board Touts Consumer-Friendly Efforts

• July 25, 2010

Media Hit

Regulation

State Pension System Going Deeper into the Red

• Nathan Benefield
• July 25, 2010

Eleanor Chute of the Post-Gazette notes the approval of the pension contribution rates for Pennsylvania school employees (split between school districts and the state). She also notes that the…

Media

Governor doles out ‘corporate welfare’

• July 24, 2010

Media Hit

Education

Cyber School Rewarded for Its Effectiveness

• July 23, 2010

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has renewed the charter for the state’s first cyber charter school to offer all grades K-12. CEO Dr. Nick Trombetta acknowledged this accomplishment:…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Obama Admits Energy Subsidies Distort Economy

• July 23, 2010

A recent Heritage Foundation article highlights the hypocrisy within the Obama Administration’s approach to energy. The U.S. Treasury Green Book, which details the reasons for changing the tax code,…

Media

Taxes & Economy

How Much will Your Tax Bill Increase in 2011?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 23, 2010

The Tax Foundation has a great new tool to calculate your federal tax burden in 2011 – comparing your tax bill if the 2001 & 2003 tax cuts (“Bush…

Media