Media

Regulation

Do we need to subsidize our 22nd largest industry?

• Nathan Benefield
• February 26, 2009

A news story on Philly.com covers some Republican lawmakers complaints that Governor Rendell budget cuts are too steep, at least in regard to agriculture subsidies (HT Grassroots PA). …

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Taxes & Economy

Bushels of Bibles for Pennsylvania Lawmakers

• Nathan Benefield
• February 26, 2009

Mario Cattabiani has a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer on the cost of new Bibles (and other holy books) for lawmakers to be sworn in on – $13,700.

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Education

Local Proficiency Measures are Lacking in PA

• Nathan Benefield
• February 26, 2009

A new study from Penn State reveals that local school districts’ assessments, allowed as an alternative to the 11th-grade PSSA exam to demonstrate proficiency for Pennsylvania students before graduating,…

Media

“Tea Parties” Coming to Pennsylvania

• Nathan Benefield
• February 25, 2009

Online conservative activists have rallied to CNBC’s Rick Santelli’s call last for a “Nationwide Tea Party” to protest the economic “stimulus,” bailouts, and erosion of liberty. Here are some…

Media

Government Accountability

PA House, Senate Refuse Request for Lobbyist Records

• Nathan Benefield
• February 25, 2009

Here is an AP Story on the ruling by Pennsylvania House and Senate have ruled that lobbyist contact is not covered under the new Open Records law (HT…

Media

Obama’s Mortgage Plan vs. Predatory Lending

• Nathan Benefield
• February 24, 2009

A Heritage Insider blog post asks what the difference is between the mortgage plan proposed by Obama and the predatory lending using “teaser rates” that contributed to the rise…

Media

Education

Fact Check: PA Education Spending

• Nathan Benefield
• February 24, 2009

A myth floating around Harrisburg is that the state government used to fund 50% of K-12 education, and has reduced support since then. This was most recently stated by…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Federal stimulus is a trap for states

• Nathan Benefield
• February 23, 2009

The Wall Street Journal today looks at governors considering rejecting the federal stimulus dollars, as it will increase the cost to states.  For example, the stimulus expands Medicaid subsidies,…

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Regulation

State and local owe enormous obligations to retirees

• Nathan Benefield
• February 23, 2009

The Allegheny Institute has a new policy report examining the pension plans of the 10 largest Pennsylvania cities. They find these plans have a combined unfunded liability of $4.5…

Media

Education

Report Card on American Education: A State-by-State Analysis

• Nathan Benefield
• February 23, 2009

The American Legislative Exchange Council has released their annual Report Card on American Education. The report is filled with education data – spending, inputs, academic performance – with a…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Rendell admits “stimulus” may not stimulate

• Nathan Benefield
• February 22, 2009

Governor Rendell has acknowledged that he’s not sure the stimulus legislation just passed will actually help the economy (HT PA Watercooler).  On the one hand, I’ll like to…

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Taxes & Economy

Policies that Produce Real Growth

• Nathan Benefield
• February 21, 2009

Dan Mitchell has another educational video produced by the Center for Freedom and Prosperity. He uses the Fraser Institute Economic Freedom of the World (Heritage has a…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Roots of the Crisis

• Nathan Benefield
• February 21, 2009

FreedomWorks has a great looking redesign of their website.   They also have a new feature article on the “roots of the financial crisis“, which is full…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Cutting Governor’s Schools of Excellence is a “Washington Monument Ploy”

• Nathan Benefield
• February 20, 2009

The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is an ongoing gag to connect any person to actor Kevin Bacon in under six moves. If news stories count, I am tied…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Is tolling I-80 dead?

• Nathan Benefield
• February 20, 2009

Some of the Turnpike Commissioners think that tolling I-80 across PA remains a strong possibility, and that the federal government did not “reject” the tolling plan.  See the…

Media

Regulation

More on the PA Pension “Spike”

• Nathan Benefield
• February 19, 2009

A couple of editorials on the crisis in Pennsylvania’s public pension crisis from the Daily Review and the Courier Express.  Both called for depoliticizing the plans by moving…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Rendell should reject the federal “stimulus” money

• Matthew Brouillette
• February 19, 2009

I know it will never happen — just like asking him to pass on a greasy cheese steak sub — but Gov. Rendell should reject the…

Media

Regulation

Rendell administration: Commonwealth Foundation is right about government spending

• Nathan Benefield
• February 19, 2009

A Capitolwire (subscription) headline reads “DCED acting secretary says little state can do to create jobs,” after a hearing in which Secretary Cornelius notes that “economic development” programs have…

Media

State Budget

What do Economists Agree On?

• Nathan Benefield
• February 18, 2009

Greg Mankiw posts a selection from his textbook on what economists agree on, from a survey.  I am not suprised to see economists overwhelmingly support free trade, as that…

Media

Regulation

Update on the Boscov’s Bailout

• Nathan Benefield
• February 18, 2009

John Micek has a summary of the new PA DCED secretary’s explanation of the Boscov’s bailout, during a hearing today.  Secretary Cornelius noted that bailouts encourage companies to start…

Media

Education

Piccola Offers Alternative Plan for PA Higher Ed

• Nathan Benefield
• February 18, 2009

State Sen. Jeff Piccola has a new proposal to offer additional grants directly to Pennsylvania students for higher education, and tie this funding to both schools’ holding tuition costs down…

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