Latest Content

Nebraska has what PA needs…

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 11, 2010

U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) said: “Nebraska’s Right to Work laws, which have been credited in part with our excellent business climate that has attracted employers and many good…

Media

Read More: Nebraska has what PA needs…

Criminal Justice Reform

Instituting Meaningful Corrections Reform

  • February 11, 2010

Eric Boehm has a good article on the opportunity to help balance the state budget by reforming prison and probation. The inmate population in Pennsylvania’s prisons is growing at…

Media

Read More: Instituting Meaningful Corrections Reform

Public Union Democracy

The Impact of Unions on Public Policy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 11, 2010

The latest Cato Journal takes on the topic of “Are Unions Good for America?” The journal features a number of good articles on issues of relevance nationally and in…

Media

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Government Accountability

The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 11, 2010

Darwyyn Deyo reports that the PA House of Representatives is moving from away from paper newsletters to email newsletters to registered voters.  This is a good move, likely to…

Media

Read More: The End of Taxpayer-Funded Newsletters?

State Budget

The Merits of an Expanded Sales Tax

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 11, 2010

Josh Barro of the Manhattan Institute has a recent op-ed on the idea of states broadening their sales tax base, noting that several states are looking this direction.

Media

Read More: The Merits of an Expanded Sales Tax

Government Accountability

CF Blog Round Up

  • February 10, 2010

Here is what the Commonwealth Foundation has bloggers discussing this week: The Pennsylvania Guardian links our work monitoring Pennsylvania’s deficit Conservative Network Reform Blog highlights our analysis of…

Media

Read More: CF Blog Round Up

Regulation

Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 10, 2010

Gov. Rendell once again touted the reduction in and relatively-low number of state government employees.  But as we noted last year, the “state complement” includes only about half of…

Media

Read More: Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania Government

Public Union Democracy

PSEA Complicit in Pension Debacle

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 10, 2010

The PSEA has a ridiculous new video calling on members to demand state lawmakers “keep their promise” on pension plans – essentially saying “don’t reform the system at all,”…

Media

Read More: PSEA Complicit in Pension Debacle

State Budget

Proposed Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansion Categories

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 10, 2010

As part of his budget, Gov. Rendell has proposed lowering Pennsylvania’s sales tax from 6% to 4% (Philadelphia has an additional 2% and Allegheny County 1% on top of the…

Media

Read More: Proposed Pennsylvania Sales Tax Expansion Categories

State Budget

Rendell Budget Treats Symptoms, Ignores Disease

  • February 9, 2010

HARRISBURG, PA (02.09.10) – Commonwealth Foundation president and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette released the following statement in response…

Press Release

Read More: Rendell Budget Treats Symptoms, Ignores Disease

State Budget

Pennsylvania Budget Address Live Updates

  • February 9, 2010

CF will be offering live comments via Twitter on Governor Rendell’s budget address, beginning at 10:30 am.  Updates will show up below.  You can also follow CF staff here,…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Address Live Updates

Public Union Democracy

Growth of Government Unions in Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 9, 2010

Eric Boehm notes the growth of public-sector union members (which now represent a majority of union members nation-wide) and the decline of private union members in Pennsylvania. More…

Media

Read More: Growth of Government Unions in Pennsylvania