Education

Will Pa. graduation exams improve public education?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2008

Cross-posted at Capitol Domes Gov. Rendell has been pushing the idea of a statewide graduation requirement that all students pass a test (his latest gives one of…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Beyond the Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2008

The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) have a new website: BeyondBailouts.org.  The site is dedicated to exposing the government’s role in creating…

Media

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Government Accountability

One rotten Acorn?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2008

GrassrootsPA has a roundup of stories on the Philadelphia man, working with ACORN, who was charged with 108 counts related to forgery and fraud in voter registration.  In the…

Media

Read More: One rotten Acorn?

Regulation

No Smoking Sign Mandate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 23, 2008

Little noticed in the debate over Pennsylvania’s new smoking ban was that it also included a smoking sign mandate. The Commonwealth Foundation got our notice (along with a…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Cutting corporate taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2008

When critics of the US (and Pennsylvania’s) corporate tax structure – like the NCPA, Tax Foundation, and Commonwealth Foundation – point out that the US (and Pennsylvania)…

Media

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Education

Forced Unionism and Teacher Strikes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2008

Video from the National Right to Work Foundation  featuring Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Is the Credit Crunch a Big Lie?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2008

A short research paper from three economists from the Federal Reserve of Minneapolis find that the so-called credit crunch, which led to the bailout, was based on a number…

Media

Read More: Is the Credit Crunch a Big Lie?

Government Accountability

Another claim that Pennsylvania is full of racists

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2008

First, Ed Rendell claimed that racist, conservative whites wouldn’t vote for Obama (just like they didn’t support Lynn Swann). Then Daily News columnist Fatimah Ali declared their would…

Media

Read More: Another claim that Pennsylvania is full of racists

Government Accountability

Campaign Finance Reform: Fool’s Gold

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2008

Imagine if George W. Bush would declare that, as part of the war on terrorism, he proposed the Patriot Act II, which would grant the federal government power to collect…

Media

Read More: Campaign Finance Reform: Fool’s Gold

Government Accountability

Please Spare us from a “Professional” Legislature

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2008

John LaPlante editorializes that states (Minnesota) should avoid the “professional legislature” model (e.g. Pennsylvania): The personal dynamics in professional legislatures also favor increased spending. Professional legislatures offer…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Political Incorrect Guide to Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2008

John Stossel’s latest special on those running for office who think government (or they) can save the world is a must watch.  Stossel outlines the failure of government, and…

Media

Read More: Political Incorrect Guide to Politics

Education

Time for School Board Transparency

  • October 20, 2008

Commonwealth Foundation launches “sunshine” project on school district labor negotiations HARRISBURG, PA —   Today, the Commonwealth Foundation announced the launch of a new project engaging in an effort to provide…

Press Release

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Taxes & Economy

Governor Rendell earns a D

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 20, 2008

The Cato Institute gives Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell a “D” on its Fiscal Report Card of the Governors. In 2004, Governor Rendell pushed through a $1.5…

Media

Read More: Governor Rendell earns a D

Government Accountability

ACORN Workers Afraid to Fall Short

  • October 20, 2008

An article in the New York Post today describes how ACORN employees in Ohio were pressured and bullied to meet voter registration quotas. Some workers were driven to bribing…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Free Market = Cheaper Gas

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 20, 2008

Ben Lieberman of Heritage explains why the free market system is responsible for the recent decline in gasoline prices. “As summer turned to fall, sky-high pump prices in the…

Media

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Health Care

We’re No. 2 … in loss of employer health insurance

  • October 17, 2008

Cross-posted on Capitol Domes   It should come as no surprise that universal health care proponents are spinning a report from an organization that supports universal…

Media

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Government Accountability

Autumn: Falling Leaves and ACORNS

  • October 17, 2008

The PA GOP filed a lawsuit today against ACORN and the Secretary of the Commonwealth for incidents of voter fraud. The lawsuit makes a number of requests, including requiring…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

State budget must be cut

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 17, 2008

The Citizens’ Voice has an editorial calling for state budget cuts giving the current crunch in the Pennsylvania state budget. Meanwhile, Gib Armstrong and other lawmakers continue…

Media

Read More: State budget must be cut

Regulation

Zack and Miri Take a Fortune

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2008

The City of Philadelphia has refused to allow posters for Zack and Miri Make a Porno on bus stops because they are deemed too seedy. (Hat Tip to…

Media

Read More: Zack and Miri Take a Fortune