Regulation

Financial “crisis” a failure of government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2008

While some pundits and media, such as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, point to the proposed bailout as demonstration of the failure of the free market, in fact it is a…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Post-Gazette defends mass transit monopolies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2008

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a nonsensical editorial opposing Mike Turzai and Mike Mustio’s legislation which would allow competition in mass transit in Pittsburgh. Currently the Port Authority of Allegheny…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Delay on Turnpike Lease Is Bad Policy

  • September 23, 2008

Commonwealth Foundation Urges Action on Lease Legislation  HARRISBURG, PA—Today, the Commonwealth Foundation called on the Pennsylvania legislature to consider Turnpike lease legislation before the end of the current legislative session. …

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

More on the Proposed Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2008

More responses and info about the proposed federal bailout: Club for Growth Condemns Federal Bailout Reason: Assessing the $700 billion bailout NTU: Taxpayers are Sick…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

“Leasing Turnpike Jeopardizes Safety”

  • September 22, 2008

… so said a commentary distributed by the Susquehanna Valley Center (see below). Either they didn’t bother to read the lease agreement or they are intentionally trying to mislead the…

Media

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Government Accountability

Bonus Ban(s) pass House State Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2008

After numerous complaints about the lack of action on reform bills (including from yours truly) the House State Government committee today voted to send two “bonus ban” bills…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Union Against Union

  • September 22, 2008

Talk about ironic: the Oregon Education Association is facing a strike, but not from its own members. The organization that helps the OEA file grievances and negotiate contracts, OEA Professional…

Media

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State Budget

Check out Pork Parade

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2008

Congressman Jeff Flake has a new website to expose Pork from Washington. To contribute to the discussion, you can twitter with the code #pork. Twitter users can also…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Rendell not to blame for sagging PA economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2008

The lastest state job numbers indicate that Pennsylvania has 100,000 more unemployed persons that one year ago. Yet, Governor Rendell announces that this is due to national trends -his…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Thoughts on the bailout plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2008

Heritage Foundation has a Webmemo on the federal plans to bail out the mortgage market, along with a list of recommendations. You can get the legislation…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Gas tax increase coming instead of Turnpike lease?

  • September 21, 2008

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Rendell is looking at a gas tax increase in light of the refusal of legislative leaders to consider the lease. “To make up the shortfall, we’re…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

More Union Dues spent on Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 19, 2008

The Union Label blog writes on how AFSCME (the union for government workers) is using union dues to attack candidates for office (see USA Today story as well).

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Worst Energy Ideas of 2008

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 19, 2008

The American Magazine has an article on the worst energy ideas, including: “energy independence,” and “green jobs”. On that front, Pete DuPont has a WSJ column on the…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Supporters Argue for Turnpike Lease

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 18, 2008

ABC 27 News story on the Turnpike Lease, featuring the motley crew of supporters: Matt Brouillette, Gov. Ed Rendell,  Howard Yerusalim (former PennDOT Secretary under Bob Casey) and Rep.Dan…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Are lower taxes unpatriotic?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 18, 2008

Alex Charyna from PA Watercooler told me we are being unpatriotic. Why? While we are calling for budgetary measures to avoid higher taxes, Joe Biden is telling us…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Current State Spending = Future Tax Increase?

  • September 18, 2008

Budget revenue shortfalls on track to produce multi-billion dollar tax increase in 2009   HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation joined State Rep. Sam Rohrer, State Senator John Eichelberger,…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Scarnati’s “Save the Turnpike Commission” Plan

  • September 18, 2008

In an obvious attempt to divert attention from his vote and support of tolling Interstate-80, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati writes today in a Courier Express commentary that…

Media

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