Media

Education

Charter School Students Outperform Peers

• Elizabeth Stelle
• October 5, 2009

The results of a recent study by a Stanford economist strengthens the case for charter schools by debunking the myth that charter school student outperform traditional students because…

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State Budget

PA House Approves More Debt for Pork

• Nathan Benefield
• October 5, 2009

Lost in the shuffle over the Pennsylvania state (operating) budget was a vote over the weekend over the state capital budget, which was approved by the Pennsylvania House. The…

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Health Care

NTU Launches “Special Delivery” Video Project

• October 5, 2009

The National Taxpayers Union has recently announced a new video project aimed at letting the American taxpayer have their say in the healthcare debate. Entitled the “Special Delivery Project”, NTU is encouraging Americans…

Media

State Budget

“Big Helicopter” and Big Hollywood

• Nathan Benefield
• October 3, 2009

While debating their myriad of tax increases (which was eventually approved by the chamber), Pennsylvania House Democrats continued to demonize “Big…

Media

Education

Calls to Action on Protecting School Choice in Pennsylvania

• Nathan Benefield
• October 2, 2009

As reported earlier, the tax bill put out by Pennsylvania House Democrats would cut the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit by…

Media

Another state budget proposal collapses

• October 2, 2009

Media Hit

State Budget

What’s in the PA House Democrats Tax Bill?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 2, 2009

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee approved a “gut-and-replace” amendment to HB 1531 – which had previously been a bill to extend tax relief for military families – which…

Media

State Budget

Pennsylvania Revenue Collections Fall Short Again

• Nathan Benefield
• October 2, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released their revenue estimates for September.  The collections were $119 million below estimates for the month, and $300 million less than collected one year…

Media

State Budget

October Surprise: Rush to Vote on Tax Hikes

• Matthew Brouillette
• October 1, 2009

I’ve just received word that Democrats are planning to rush a tax increase vote in the state House of Representatives tomorrow! Specifically, House Democrats are going to hold a vote on legislation…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Tax Cuts, Not Government Spending, Good for Economic Growth

• Nathan Benefield
• October 1, 2009

There is a good piece in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal on the effect of government spending on economic growth.  The conclusion is that government spending does not “stimulate” the…

Media

Regulation

Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer Money

• Nathan Benefield
• October 1, 2009

There have been countless examples of failed corporate welfare under Governor Rendell, and Governor Ridge before him. The latest example coming from Lebanon, PA: Lebanon Daily News, August 14,…

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State Budget

Governing “Responsibly”

• Nathan Benefield
• October 1, 2009

Lowman Henry has another good commentary on the Pennsylvania state budget “deal” over at PA Town Hall: I find it interesting that when Democrats stick to…

Media

State Budget

Pennsylvania Budget Deal Appears Dead

• Nathan Benefield
• September 30, 2009

The news service Capitolwire (subscribers only) is reporting that PA House Democrat leaders are admitting they don’t have enough votes to pass the state budget deal, give all of…

Media

State Budget Would Use Medical Liability Funds

• September 30, 2009

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Cap-and-Trade Threatens Pennsylvania Agriculture

• September 30, 2009

The PA Farm Bureau recently released an article in the September edition of Country Focus illustrating the stifling effects Waxman-Markey legislation will have on rural farming communities across Pennsylvania.

Media

State Budget

An Honest Budget Debate

• Nathan Benefield
• September 30, 2009

Gov. Rendell and many lawmakers continue to push higher taxes in Pennsylvania, using the rhetoric that if we don’t, students won’t learn,…

Media

Health Care

States to Challenge Individual Mandate

• Nathan Benefield
• September 30, 2009

The New York Times has a story on state legislators pushing back against the individual mandate that could be a part of health care reform.  Health Care Horse…

Media

Pennsylvania’s Medicaid, CHIP costs predicted to soar

• September 30, 2009

Media Hit

Public Union Democracy

Union Organizers Drown Out Voice of Rep. Bear

• September 29, 2009

Today the state capital was abuzz with clamorous shouting from protesting union members.  What was all the hullabaloo about?  Union members organized in opposition to a press conference about a…

Media

Regulation

Hanger’s Flawed Defense of HB 80

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 29, 2009

Pennsylvania DEP Secretary John Hanger has an absurd editorial defending House Bill 80. His op-ed blatantly ignores the cost that the regulations in House Bill 80 would place…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Teachers Compelled To Fund ACORN

• September 29, 2009

The group ACORN has been in the news more often than it probably prefers to be, especially of late. But such is its notoriety. ACORN is not…

Media