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Regulation

PA Taxpayers to Build Specter Library, Murtha Center

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 3, 2010

Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire (subscription) reports today that the line items from the RACP legislation ($600 million in borrowing for corporate welfare, included as part of the budget deal),…

Media

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Government Accountability

Can We Get Some Transparency in the Budget?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 2, 2010

The delay to include the proposed Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) is just legislators’ latest attempt to resist the transparency and accountability legislation Pennsylvanians deserve. According to John Micek at…

Media

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Regulation

Credit to be Offered at PA Casinos

  • July 2, 2010

Last week, the Gaming Control Board approved regulations for “casino credit.” Now patrons can effectively take out a loan of credit to play table games and slots, with no…

Media

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Education

Will Increased Education Funding Solve Our Problems?

  • July 2, 2010

Recently, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a budget for FY 2011. Governor Rendell praised the budget for increasing education funding by $250 million. But is increased funding for our schools…

Media

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Government Accountability

Will the Budget Include an Independent Fiscal Office?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 1, 2010

With much to jeer in this year’s budget one silver lining is the proposed Independent Fiscal Office.  That is, if House Democrats don’t kill the proposal. Language to create…

Media

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Education

Penn State Clears “Award-Winning” Mann in Climategate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 1, 2010

Unsurprisingly, Penn State’s second investigation into its own faculty member, Michael Mann, cleared him of any scientific misconduct charges today. Among the reasons for clearing Mann, the report notes:…

Media

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Regulation

Another Budget Trick Revealed

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 1, 2010

During our PA Budget Chat yesterday, we were commenting on how the the line item for School Employees’ Retirement – i.e., the state’s contribution to teacher’s pensions – was…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Wind Power May Kill You

  • July 1, 2010

With the recent fatalities resulting from disasters at the Deep Water Horizon drilling rig and Massey’s Upper Big Branch coal mine, many may begin to think that such…

Media

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State Budget

PA Senate Passes State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 30, 2010

Today, the the Pennsylvania Senate passed the state budget by a vote of 37-13. The no votes were: Alloway, Argall, Earll, Eichelberger,…

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State Budget

Ten Facts about the PA Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 30, 2010

Legislative leaders and Gov. Rendell reached an agreement on a PA state budget deal yesterday. Here are some facts about the $28.05 billion new spending plan: Lawmakers were able…

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Taxes & Economy

2010 Budget Deal Fails to Plan for Future

  • June 30, 2010

Harrisburg, PA – Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew Brouillette released the following statement in response to the announced Pennsylvania state budget deal: “It’s difficult to negotiate a sane budget…

Press Release

Read More: 2010 Budget Deal Fails to Plan for Future

Public Union Democracy

When Unions get Violent

  • June 30, 2010

Last Wednesday, men clutching baseball bats attacked construction workers at the King of Prussia mall outside Philadelphia. Workers arriving to the site of the new Toys-R-Us store found their…

Media

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