Government Accountability

Bonusgate Makes National Headlines

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 18, 2010

Though it wasn’t one of their top 10 scandals of 2009, Time Magazine has a story today on “bonusgate”, and the subsequent corruption investigation, and its implications on Pennsylvania…

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Health Care

Why Health Care Costs are Skyrocketing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 18, 2010

A nifty chart put together by the Mercatus Center helps explain why health care cost continue to skyrocket – a growing role for third-party payers and of government subsidies.

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Taxes & Economy

How Government Hinders Job Creation

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 18, 2010

Economist Mark Hendrickson has a good piece for The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College explaining why federal policies aimed at “creating jobs” or even helping workers…

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Natural Gas Tax Resurrected

  • January 15, 2010

Governor Rendell has, once again, changed his mind deciding that taxing Pennsylvania’s emerging natural gas industry is a good idea. What changed the Governor’s mind? Recently, five companies…

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Regulation

Two Thumbs Down for Film Tax Credits

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 15, 2010

The Tax Foundation released a report on movie production incentives (MPIs), such as film tax tax credits and film grants (full report here). Forty-four states offer some sort…

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Taxes & Economy

Government Spending Doesn’t Stimulate Economic Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 14, 2010

Brian Riedl of the Heritage Foundation has a good Backgrounder on why government spending is no economic stimulus, including answering some of the points that neo-Keynesians make. (Click…

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Weekly Blog Roundup

  • January 14, 2010

The CF call for an independent investigation into a Penn State professor caught in climatology scandal caught many bloggers’ attention this week. GrassrootsPA,…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Rendell on HB 80: Now it’s war!

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 14, 2010

Yesterday, Governor Rendell had some harsh albeit entertaining words for opponents of HB 80, which would increase the state’s mandated alternative energy requirements. According to Rendell “Powerful special interests…

Media

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State Budget

What is Rendell Cutting in Pennsylvania Budget?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 14, 2010

In his mid-year budget address, Governor Rendell outlined a plan to cut spending by $170 million in the Pennsylvania state budget.  This week, he identified $161 specific cuts (see…

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Education

New Head Start Study Shows No Long-Term Effects of Preschool

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 14, 2010

A study on students in Head Start released yesterday by the US Department of Health and Human Services shows no long-term academic improvement from the program.  In fact, the…

Media

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Regulation

Tax Breaks for Select Few Companies Not Creating Jobs

  • January 13, 2010

A study by Good Jobs First indicates that Pennsylvania’s tax incentives for high-tech companies has not been able to attract investment from other states. A net 43 high-tech companies…

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Government Accountability

Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad Ideas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 13, 2010

Pennsylvania Governor Candidate Dan Onorato outlined his economic development proposals yesterday. He has some good ideas in there, but a lot of the…

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Government Accountability

Democrat Party Finally Condemns Pay Raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2010

An interesting response to State Senator Dave Argall’s announcement that he would challenge Congressman Tim Holden is that Democrats are going after Argall’s role in the 2005 Pennsylvania pay…

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Regulation

Paper or Plastic?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • January 12, 2010

This morning I came across a ridiculous piece of legislation. Rep. McGeehan has proposed HB 2200, which would ban paper and plastic bags in grocery stores. Forget subtle…

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Read More: Paper or Plastic?