Media

Regulation

Grading Corbett’s Economic Plan: FAIL

• Nathan Benefield
• March 10, 2010

Pennsylvania governor candidate Tom Corbett and his campaign team unveiled the first of seven policy outlines on economic development. Much of what it outlines is simply political rhetoric –…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Time to Act on Medicaid Fraud

• Nathan Benefield
• March 10, 2010

The Heartland Institute put out a compilation of resources on reducing fraud in Medicaid and Medicare.  In Pennsylvania, Auditor General Jack Wagner has found fraud and errors in Medicaid…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the Disease

• March 10, 2010

A new report by the Bureau of Business Research at Ball State University found that the recent minimum wage increases account for 550,000 fewer part-time jobs. According to the…

Media

Now, That’s Talking “Tax-Free”

• March 10, 2010

Media Hit

Health Care

Obamacare and Deficits

• March 10, 2010

In campaign-mode fashion, President Obama held a rally at Arcadia University on Monday to sell his plan for health care reform. Filled with the usual rhetoric and emotional, Obama made…

Media

Regulation

PA State Troopers Raid Philly Bars

• Nathan Benefield
• March 9, 2010

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that dozens of Pennsylvania state troopers raided some Philly bars for selling unregistered brands of beer: Although the bar owners had bought the beer…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Sign the Petition for an Independent Investigation of Dr. Mann

• Elizabeth Stelle
• March 9, 2010

Penn State YAF’s (Young Americans for Freedom) petition for academic integrity is now online! On February 12th almost a hundred students and citizens gathered to demand a fair and thorough…

Media

Opposition Rising to Philadelphia’s Soda Tax

• Nathan Benefield
• March 9, 2010

Opposition has been rising to Mayor Michael Nutter’s proposed tax on sugary drinks in Philadelphia – often referred to as a “soda tax” (but never a “…

Media

Regulation

Will History Vanish Without State Spending?

• March 9, 2010

It is an oft-disseminated lie that the government is the needed guardian of our historic sites and museums. Just as the private sector has begun to save our…

Media

Rendell Proposes Pension Plan, No Game Plan

• March 8, 2010

Media Hit

Health Care

Buying Insurance Across State Lines

• Nathan Benefield
• March 8, 2010

John Goodman summarizes the issue of interestate competition for health insurance: Every state has mandated health insurance benefits. These are laws requiring insurers to cover services ranging from…

Media

Distributors respond

• March 8, 2010

Media Hit

Government Accountability

Debating a Constitutional Convention

• Nathan Benefield
• March 8, 2010

Following Jack Wagner’s announcement that he supports a Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention (he is, I believe, the only candidate for PA Governor to yet endorse a Con Con) has cause…

Media

Pennsylvania’s EITC Highlighted in School Choice Yearbook

• March 8, 2010

PA was among those states in which educational opportunity was jeopardized, according to Alliance for School Choice’s yearbook for 2009-10. The report indicates that 2009 brought setbacks, particularly…

Media

Regulation

Gov. Rendell Calls for Changing Pension Benefits for New Hires

• Nathan Benefield
• March 7, 2010

In an interview with the Allentown Morning Call, Gov. Rendell calls for changing the pension benefits for new state and school district employees, citing the enormous costs of…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Yes, Unemployment Benefits Do Cause Higher Unemployment

• Nathan Benefield
• March 5, 2010

David Henderson has a post up on the Econlog blog about how unemployment benefits increase the unemployment rate.  He cites himself, the Federal Reserve, and Obama economic advisor Larry…

Media

PA’s Property Tax Referendum Not Limiting Property Taxes

• Nathan Benefield
• March 5, 2010

At a PA Senate hearing this week, Sen. Lisa Boscola grilled the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education on Act 1 – which provided for voter referendum on school property tax…

Media

Government Accountability

State Office Deal Highlights Rendell’s Cronyism

• Nathan Benefield
• March 5, 2010

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review has a story about the state paying to lease office space, even though they’ve closed the office. But the more interesting part of the is…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Who are the Tea Partiers?

• Nathan Benefield
• March 4, 2010

The Sam Adams Alliance has a new report out presenting findings from a survey of 50 “tea party movement” leaders. Among the more interesting findings 46.9 percent were uninvolved…

Media

State’s Pension Problem Will Likely Lead to Property Tax Hikes

• March 4, 2010

Media Hit

Health Care

HSAs: Efficient Heath Care and Savings for State Taxpayers

• March 4, 2010

A recent op-ed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in the Wall Street Journal highlights the benefits his state has seen since implementing an optional Health Savings Account (HSA) for…

Media