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Taxes & Economy

Restore PA Doubles Down on Taxes

• August 29, 2019

Pennsylvania native and founding father Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “The problem with common sense is, it isn’t.” As with so very many things in the political sphere, in Governor Wolf’s…

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Report Shows Govt. Union Leaders Striking Back in the States

• August 28, 2019

August 28, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa.— After the Supreme Court’s Janus v. AFSCME decision, government unions leaders are striking back at the state level with flurry of union-friendly bills across the country…

Press Release

Education

A Quality Education for Harrisburg Kids

• Colleen Hroncich
• August 27, 2019

Gov. Wolf likes to talk about getting every child a quality education no matter their zip code. Speaker Mike Turzai just unveiled a plan that would turn that platitude into…

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On Alcohol, Can We at Least Be Like Sweden?

• Andrew Abramczyk
• August 27, 2019

What do Pennsylvania and Sweden have in common? Aside from Sweden’s short-lived colony on the Delaware River, very little. Except a government liquor monopoly. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board…

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Economy Is Not Indicative of Its Business Climate

• Tirzah Duren
• August 23, 2019

Pennsylvania’s economy is the most diverse in America. With the release of the latest Bloomberg Economic Diversity Index, Pennsylvania surpassed both Colorado and Texas to claim the top spot. The benefit…

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Education

Gov. Wolf Attacks Charters with 11 Executive Actions

• Marc LeBlond
• August 22, 2019

Earlier this summer, Gov. Wolf vetoed an expansion of tax credit scholarships that would have empowered thousands of Pennsylvania students. Now, he’s turned his attention to charter schools. The…

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State Budget

The Taxpayer Protection Act Is Commonsense

• Tirzah Duren
• August 21, 2019

For over a decade, various lawmakers have introduced Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) legislation to get a handle on Pennsylvania’s out of control budget. This overspending hurts our economy, drives away…

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Criminal Justice Reform

School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape Valve

• Marc LeBlond
• August 21, 2019

Anthony Samuels is “the only male in my family that doesn’t have a record.” Rather, Anthony is a college graduate and a business owner. At an age when many…

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Government Accountability

Pa. State Union Contracts Cost Taxpayers an Additional $1 Billion

• Jessica Barnett
• August 13, 2019

How much is the cost of doing business with Pennsylvania state government unions? For the most recent round of contract negotiations, an additional $1.15 billion over the next four years.

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Education

Statement: Gov. Wolf’s Charter Accountability Plan

• Nathan Benefield
• August 13, 2019

Today, Governor Tom Wolf will unveil his plans to alter accountability mechanisms for Pennsylvania's charter schools. However, Gov. Wolf's strategy is not as much about accountability as it is his administration's attempt…

Press Release

Education

Is Your Team Losing Every Year? Pittsburgh Students Know the Feeling

• Colleen Hroncich
• August 12, 2019

This year has been rough for Pittsburgh sports fans. The Steelers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Penguins made it to the post-season for the 13th…

Media

Regulation

Cigarette Taxes Target the Poor

• Tirzah Duren
• August 12, 2019

The founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, believed strong liberty of conscience was essential to a flourishing society. But Pennsylvania’s current slough of sin taxes shrug off Penn’s warning. Pennsylvania’s sin…

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Education

A Better Strategy for Students in the “City of Champions”

• Lenny McAllister
• August 6, 2019

If there’s one team that has stopped the “City of Champions” from having more Super Bowl championships, it’s the Evil Empire from up north: the New England Patriots. And if…

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Regulation

Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps Taking

• Tirzah Duren
• August 6, 2019

Less than a year ago Pennsylvania’s state government offered Amazon billions in tax incentives to bring its HQ-2 location here. Amazon said no. But, when the commerce giant decided to open…

Media

State Budget

A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a Mistake

• Andrew Abramczyk
• August 5, 2019

In June, when the state legislature passed the budget, they included something extra: a $673 million “supplemental appropriation” to cover overspending in the previous fiscal year. In other words, the Wolf…

Media

Taxes & Economy

The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty Problem

• Elizabeth Stelle
• August 2, 2019

In 2012, lawmakers ended a small cash welfare program called General Assistance. Despite all the recent Democratic hubbub, none of the members actually tried to restart the program through the…

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Education

Can School Choice Solve “Lunch Shaming”?

• August 1, 2019

On July 9th, Wyoming Valley West School District in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania took reckless steps in “lunch shaming” hundreds of students and ordering repayment of their student meal debts. …

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Regulation

No More Food Stamps for Millionaires

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 31, 2019

Leroy Fick won $2 million playing the Michigan lottery. He bought a new home and a costly car, all while collecting taxpayer-funded food stamps. Fick and stories like his…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Are Unions Preparing to Charge Fair Share Fees Once Again?

• Jessica Barnett
• July 30, 2019

It’s been one year since Janus v. AFSCME overturned 40 years of government labor precedent. Now, public employees who decide not to join their workplace union are no longer forced…

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Education

Students Lose in the “City of Champions”

• Colleen Hroncich
• July 29, 2019

Pittsburgh Pirates fans recently gathered at PNC Park to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1979 World Series Championship. When it comes to sports, people in the “City of Champions”…

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Education

Tax Hoarders Strike Again

• Marc LeBlond
• July 25, 2019

Last month Governor Wolf vetoed House Bill 800, which could have opened new educational opportunities to 50,000 low- to middle-income students. The legislation sailed through both chambers and would have…

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