Media

Education

Pittsburgh Tuition Tax Podcast

• Nathan Benefield
• December 1, 2009

Elizabeth Bryan and I discuss the proposed tuition tax in Pittsburgh in a podcast. Joining us for part of the conversation is Aaron Gross, a student…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Follow the Money on Climate Change “Research”

• Nathan Benefield
• December 1, 2009

The Wall Street Journal today features a important read on what lies behind climate research, in the wake of the email…

Media

CF Blog Roundup

• December 1, 2009

Here are some recent Commonwealth Foundation mentions in the blogosphere.  The Morning Call’s Capitol Ideas blog noted the Commonwealth Foundation taking issue with the Climate Change Advisory Committee…

Media

GOP’s Civera sure to stay for next Pa. budget

• December 1, 2009

Media Hit

Regulation

Failing to Learn from Past Gambles

• December 1, 2009

The Patriot New ran in an article on property tax “relief” the day after Thanksgiving, giving homeowners a reason not to be thankful. The governor’s dream to make…

Media

Government Accountability

The Honorable Matthew J. Brouillette?

• Matthew Brouillette
• November 30, 2009

It’s official, I am now an elected official, having won a random drawing – that’s democracy in action – for Judge of Election in my precinct.  While I am unsure…

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Education

Penn State to Launch Inquiry in “Climategate”

• Nathan Benefield
• November 30, 2009

Penn State University is going to “look into” the emails from and about university professor Michael Mann, which indicate, among other things,…

Media

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Spent $4 Million in Taxpayer Funded Lobbying

• Nathan Benefield
• November 30, 2009

The Tribune Review gives a strong exposé on why taxpayers continue to lose – Pennsylvania state and local governments spent $4 million to lobby the federal and state government…

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Taxes & Economy

Congress Working on “[Save Their Own] Jobs” Bill

• Nathan Benefield
• November 30, 2009

With jobs losses continuing to mount, Congress is considering a third economic “stimulus” (pundits often ignore the Bush stimulus of 2008) in…

Media

State backs off role as caretaker of history

• November 28, 2009

Media Hit

State Budget

Pennsylvania Lawmakers to End Calendar Givewaways

• Nathan Benefield
• November 27, 2009

ABC 27 reports that both the Pennsylvania House and Senate will not be printing calendars to give away this year (which typically featured a “courtesy of Rep. Name”) sticker.

Media

Legislature Scraps Free Calendars

• November 27, 2009

Media Hit

This is the generation of our discontent

• November 27, 2009

Media Hit

Liquor Control Board’s Eagles sweepstakes sparks outcry

• November 25, 2009

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Legislating Prices for Legal Ads

• November 25, 2009

What do you do when something costs too much?  You don’t buy it.  Or if you’re the state, you simply mandate a new lower price. The State House…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Who Pays Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax?

• November 24, 2009

Pennsylvania has a flat rate Personal Income Tax (PIT) of 3.07%, which is a fair and simple distribution of taxation.  Yet some people are imprudently calling for a state-wide graduated…

Media

Pa. Government: An Unequal Opportunity Employer

• November 24, 2009

Media Hit

The liquor monopoly: End it

• November 24, 2009

Media Hit

Public Union Democracy

Why Public Sector Unionism Is a Bad Deal for Taxpayers

• November 24, 2009

A recent report by the Cato Institute concluded “High rates of unionization in the public sector have led to very high labor costs in the form of generous collective…

Media

How state lawmakers can prevent the next SEPTA strike

• November 23, 2009

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Penn State Professor Caught in Climatology Scandal

• November 23, 2009

Britain’s Climate Research Unit verified hackers confiscated email correspondence between top climatologists, putting Penn State’s director of Earth System Science Center, Michael E. Mann, directly in the middle of…

Media