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Education
New Swing State Poll: PA Voters Evenly Divided, Presidential Election a Toss Up
Harrisburg, Pa., July 26, 2024—Public support for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is evenly divided in Pennsylvania, according to a new statewide survey of Pennsylvania voters, with Harris leading Trump 47%…
Read More: New Swing State Poll: PA Voters Evenly Divided, Presidential Election a Toss Up![shapiro vice president kamala harris](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-25-at-6.55.03 PM-900x900.png)
Education
TV Ad Exposes Shapiro as “All Talk, No Results”
Read More: TV Ad Exposes Shapiro as “All Talk, No Results”![shapiro capable of leading](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1244606495-900x692.jpg)
Education
Why is Gov. Shapiro Afraid of His Own Campaign Promises?
Read More: Why is Gov. Shapiro Afraid of His Own Campaign Promises?![shapiro record](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-23-at-11.10.30 AM-900x900.png)
Education
President and CEO Charles Mitchell on Philadelphia’s Morning Answer with Chris Stigall
Read More: President and CEO Charles Mitchell on Philadelphia’s Morning Answer with Chris StigallRegulation
Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will Skyrocket
If you missed our RE Harper Economic Forums on pensions, here is an online version of Rick Dreyfuss’s presentation. You should also check out related articles on “…
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Read More: Presentation on Pensions and Why Your Taxes Will SkyrocketGovernment Accountability
There is No Defense for WAMs
Among the many faults with WAMs, perhaps the most egregious is that taxpayers can never figure out where this money is going. For example,…
Media
Read More: There is No Defense for WAMsRegulation
Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net Neutrality
Gov. Rendell recently submitted a Letter to the FCC expressing concerns with proposed Internet regulation known as “Net Neutrality.” This was part of the…
Media
Read More: Gov. Rendell Expresses Concerns with Net NeutralityHealth Care
Is Mackey Wacky?
In August, John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, penned a Wall Street Journal piece outlining his ideas for health care reform – these include equalizing the tax code, interstate…
Media
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Cities get a break on pensions but critics aren’t so sure it’s a good idea
Media Hit
Read More: Cities get a break on pensions but critics aren’t so sure it’s a good ideaTaxes & Economy
Coburn vs. Levy on Funding Political Science
In the American, Philip Levy of the American Enterprise Institute defends federal funding of political science research against charges that it represents wasteful spending from Sen. Tom Coburn. As…
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Read More: Coburn vs. Levy on Funding Political ScienceTaxes & Economy
Time to Eat the Dog
According to a book by Brenda and Robert Vale; dogs equivalent to the size of German Shepherds have the same “carbon footprint” as a typical SUV driving 10,000 miles/year. “A lot of…
Media
Read More: Time to Eat the DogEducation
Privatizing State Universities
In wake of a state budget crisis and a temporary infusion of stimulus funds, Colorado State University is considering a partial privatization of the public university. By 2011, it will…
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Read More: Privatizing State UniversitiesHealth Care
Government Health Care Still Kills
A couple of PA state legislators have recently cited a recent Harvard study to make the claim that thousands “are dying because of a lack of insurance”…
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Read More: Government Health Care Still KillsTaxes & Economy
Yet Another Rendell No-Bid Contract
Just as it seemed the dust was settling in the fight to lease state land for shale exploration, recent closed-door meetings (Capitolwire, subscription needed) conducted by the Rendell Administration…
Media
Read More: Yet Another Rendell No-Bid ContractState Budget
Yes, We Really Do Mistrust Lawmakers
Gerald Prante of the Tax Foundation raises a philosophical question about state spending limits. Namely he wonders, if we don’t trust how legislators spend money now – a…
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Read More: Yes, We Really Do Mistrust LawmakersEducation
Despite Recession, Pennsylvania College Costs Increase
On Tuesday, the College Board released their annual report on tuition and financial aid. Despite a national recession, college tuition is still rising at an alarming pace. On average,…
Media
Read More: Despite Recession, Pennsylvania College Costs IncreaseGovernment Accountability
Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State Taxpayers
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner issued a scathing rebuke of the Rendell administration’s use of no-bid contracts, specifically in relation to over a half-billion dollars given to Deloitte for…
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Read More: Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State TaxpayersTaxes & Economy
ACORN Sting in Philadelphia
BigGovernment.com has released their video from Philadelphia’s ACORN office from July 24. As in other videos, ACORN Philadelphia provided advice to the fake pimp and prostitute for what sort…
Media
Read More: ACORN Sting in PhiladelphiaRegulation
Betting on Table Games to Balance the Budget
Harrisburg lawmakers are waiting on passing funding for “non-preferred” appropriations (e.g. state-related universities like Penn State and Pitt) until legislation to legalize, tax, and set license fees for table games…
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Read More: Betting on Table Games to Balance the BudgetState Budget
PA Business Survey: Bad Budget Deal
The Lincoln Institute released its Fall Business Climate Survey for Pennsylvania (mostly surveying small business owners). Click here for results and here for a summary of findings. Not…
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Read More: PA Business Survey: Bad Budget DealGovernment Accountability
Common Sense on Legislative Size
Paul Jacob’s latest “Common Sense” deals with the size of the Pennsylvania Legislature. Jacob advises: [D]on’t cut the size of the legislature. But by all means cut the…
Media
Read More: Common Sense on Legislative SizeRegulation
WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey Rink
Despite the numerous studies concluding subsidized sport arenas provide little to no overall economic benefits to communities – Allentown is getting a minor league hockey rink built with at least …
Media
Read More: WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey RinkPublic Union Democracy
Political Power of Public Sector Unions
The Weekly Standard has a good piece on the growing political power of public sector unions, with a short history lesson, and many of the consequences (e.g.
Media
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