Regulation

DEP is Successfully Regulating Gas Drilling

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 3, 2010

Environmental drilling opponents have jumped all over a new report by the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association identifying almost 1,500 violations by 43 Marcellus Shale drilling companies by the PA…

Media

Read More: DEP is Successfully Regulating Gas Drilling

Taxes & Economy

Fact Check: PA Transportation Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 3, 2010

Gov. Rendell starts his “Tax You More” bus tour today, heading around Pennsylvania to call for more taxes to fill the “transportation funding crisis”. Here are some facts…

Media

Read More: Fact Check: PA Transportation Spending

Education

Pay Kindergarten Teachers Like Baseball Players?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 2, 2010

The New York Times reports on some research – HT to Greg Mankiw – on the value of kindergarten improvement, and teachers, on earnings later in life. However,…

Media

Read More: Pay Kindergarten Teachers Like Baseball Players?

Government Accountability

Non-Competitive Contracts Don’t Compute

  • August 2, 2010

The PA Revenue Department’s main computer system was installed in 1975. The outdated system’s technological language, COBOL, is not even taught in universities anymore, narrowing the number of applicants…

Media

Read More: Non-Competitive Contracts Don’t Compute

State Budget

What Happens to PA Budget without FMAP Money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 2, 2010

Gov. Rendell is supposed to meet with lawmakers today to discuss options if Congress doesn’t approve the $850 million in federal FMAP funds. Pete DeCoursey (subscription) breaks down the…

Media

Read More: What Happens to PA Budget without FMAP Money

Taxes & Economy

Physics Supports Fracking Safety

  • July 30, 2010

When the head of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Oil and Gas Management says, There has never been any evidence of fracking ever causing direct contamination…

Media

Read More: Physics Supports Fracking Safety

CF Blog Roundup

  • July 30, 2010

Check out CF’s recent mentions in the blogosphere: Keystone Conservative highlighted a CF post on the harm ObamaCare could bring about in Pennsylvania. Capitol Ideas and…

Media

Read More: CF Blog Roundup

Taxes & Economy

Tough Questions for Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

  • July 29, 2010

The PA Turnpike Commission (PTC) testified before the Senate Transportation Committee during this summer’s special session on transportation funding. Most senators on the committee expressed concern on several aspects regarding…

Media

Read More: Tough Questions for Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

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

Read More: Lancaster Co. Human Relations Commission

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

Read More: More on Government Jobs in Recession

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

Read More: How to Reduce Welfare Fraud

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

Read More: Corbett on Death Tax and Farmers

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

Read More: Can Pennsylvania Grow Money from Trees?

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

Read More: What if State Government Hired a Psychic?

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

Read More: Tax For Soccer