Media

Taxes & Economy

More Proof that Government Spending Hurts the Economy

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 10, 2009

The Tax Foundation highlights a new NBER paper by Harvard economists, “Large Changes in Fiscal Policy: Taxes Versus Spending,” which analyzes the fiscal policies of OECD countries from…

Media

Education

Privatizing School Bus Drivers

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 9, 2009

In last Tuesday’s race for Central Dauphin school board candidates clashed over the privatization of the district’s busing. The pro-privatization candidate- Chris Judd narrowly won, but that hasn’t silenced the…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Alliance Still Fighting to Stop I-80 Tolling

• November 9, 2009

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again – seems to be the motto of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission as they seek once again to Toll I-80. The…

Media

Public Union Democracy

If Your Erection Lasts Longer than a SEPTA Strike …

• Nathan Benefield
• November 9, 2009

Alex Charyna points out this tidbit in the Philadelphia Daily News – one demand of the SEPTA union was more Viagra: Yes, it appears that labor issues…

Media

Regulation

Worst Idea for Fixing State Pensions

• Nathan Benefield
• November 9, 2009

Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord told the Pocono Record that now is the time to address the state pension crisis, rather than later, a point the Commonwealth Foundation agrees…

Media

Taxes & Economy

A Brilliant Idea to Balance Cities’ Budget

• Nathan Benefield
• November 8, 2009

The city of Harrisburg is hiring a consultant to give some tips to balance its budget, ABC 27 reports. Lancaster, PA hired the same firm a few years ago…

Media

Government Accountability

Big Government Leads to Big Lobbying

• Nathan Benefield
• November 8, 2009

The Philadelphia Inquirer has a story today that Pennsylvania business groups – especially in natural gas, tobacco, and gambling industries – spent a lot of money lobbying during the…

Media

Competition will drive down electric rates

• November 8, 2009

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Voters Reject Property Tax Hikes

• November 6, 2009

With an already-weakened economy that has put Pennsylvania families on a tight budget, Monroe County taxpayers finally said “enough is enough!” when confronted with two referendums on Tuesday’s ballot calling…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Testimony on Proposed Pennsylvania High-Speed MagLev

• November 6, 2009

Testimony of Randal O’Toole On the Proposed Pennsylvania High-Speed MagLev Before the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee, November 6, 2009…

Testimony

Regulation

Newspapers Endorse Pennsylvania Liquor Store Privatization

• Nathan Benefield
• November 6, 2009

Following our report showing that moving from state-run liquor stores to licensure has little impact on alcohol consumption, underage drinking, and DUI rates, Pennsylvania papers are again joining the…

Media

The state & alcohol: Go out of business

• November 6, 2009

Media Hit

Government Accountability

Bonusgate Developments and Senate Reforms

• Nathan Benefield
• November 6, 2009

Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette notes that the Pennsylvania Senate is outlining a number of new rules, largely related to legislative staff and taxpayer dollars being used to support…

Media

Taxes & Economy

V and American Politics

• Nathan Benefield
• November 5, 2009

While attending a conference in North Carolina, and staying in the same room Yogi Berra did (though not on the same night), Joe Sterns and I caught the premier…

Media

Health Care

Guide to Pelosi-Care

• Nathan Benefield
• November 5, 2009

The Heritage Foundation has some resources on the latest health care bill being pushed by US House Democrats, including a summary of the legislation, and the full…

Media

More proof: State should exit liquor business

• November 5, 2009

Media Hit

Public Union Democracy

SEPTA Union Doesn’t Represent “The Working Class”

• November 4, 2009

About 5,100 union workers for SEPTA went on strike early Tuesday, leaving 450,000 people to find new ways to travel. The union is demanding a 4% raise and an…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Lies, More Lies, and Statistics

• November 4, 2009

On Oct 10, Pennsylvania released a preliminary report on received ARRA (i.e. “simulus”) funds.  The study concluded that “$262,592,907.68 has been spent to date and 1,408 direct full-time equivalent…

Media

Regulation

PA Homeowners Come Second To Horse Racing Industry

• November 3, 2009

The Pennsylvania Legislature’s willingness to succumb to special interests has been well documented by the Commonwealth Foundation, but the amount of attention given to the horse racing industry is…

Media

Government Accountability

Transparency and Performance in Government

• Elizabeth Stelle
• November 3, 2009

The Mercatus Center has a new working paper on the importance of government transparency. Authors Jerry Brito and Drew Perrault argue that, “Transparency is a means to an end…

Media

State Budget

Pennsylvania’s October Revenues Fall Short

• Nathan Benefield
• November 3, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released October revenue collections.  Once again, the numbers fell short of projections – the state is now $160 short of estimate for the fiscal…

Media