Media

Government Accountability

Powerful Political Insiders

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 16, 2008

PolitickerPA released their list of Pennsylvania’s 50 most powerful political insiders. Topping the list is Pennsylvania AFL-CIO president William George. Be warned that the rankings were complied…

Media

Government Accountability

Mark Cohen takes on James Madison

• Nathan Benefield
• July 16, 2008

In Federalist #51, James Madison writes of the need to create laws and instititutions to protect citizens against abuses by ambitious men in government: If men were angels,…

Media

Government Accountability

Everyone calls for reform – Except Rendell

• Nathan Benefield
• July 16, 2008

Following the bonusgate indictments, there have been many more calls for action to clean up Pennsylvania state government, some from familiar voices, some from new members of the choir…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania shouldn’t turn I-80 into state’s cash cow

• Nathan Benefield
• July 16, 2008

Vindy.com has an editorial against I-80 tolling, noting The state pledges to spend nearly $200 million more on maintenance than it is spending now, But revenue from…

Media

Government Accountability

Is graft getting worse or are prosecutors out of control?

• July 15, 2008

Governing Magazine’s July 2008 cover story, “The Corruption Puzzle”, is apropos for Pennsylvania given the recent indictments of 12 people for allegedly using taxpayer money for personal and political…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Most I-80 toll revenue to be diverted from I-80

• Nathan Benefield
• July 15, 2008

Though the Turnpike Commission unveiled their plan for capital improvements on I-80 (if they get approval to toll it), it remains the case that most of the revenue…

Media

Welfare

Welfare Reform: PA gets poor grades

• Nathan Benefield
• July 15, 2008

The Heartland Institute has a new report, Welfare Reform after Ten Years: A State-by-State Analysis (for PDF version click here) ranking the states both on welfare outcomes –…

Media

Education

School Choice Works

• Nathan Benefield
• July 15, 2008

American’s for Tax Reform has a short primer on the success of school vouchers, scholarship, and tax credit programs: There have been a total of ten studies of…

Media

Lease I-80 and get facts about lease

• Nathan Benefield
• July 14, 2008

Click here for our news release explaining why, if legislators insist on tolling Interstate 80, it should be competitively bid. Also, here is our video on the unveiling…

Media

Education

Obama on School Choice: For or Against?

• July 14, 2008

The Cato Institute blog reports that Barack Obama told members of the American Federation of Teachers he is opposed to school vouchers, when referring to the “tired rhetoric about…

Media

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania’s super-sized legislature

• Elizabeth Stelle
• July 14, 2008

There’s nothing like a government scandal to get people in the mood . . . for reform. An article by Anne Reeves in the Patriot-News reminds us why the…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Bush: Drill Now

• Nathan Benefield
• July 14, 2008

President Bush will repeal the executive order banning offshore drilling. Of course, the executive order was superseded by a law banning offshore drilling, which Congress will have to…

Media

Government Accountability

Why Turnpike Commission lobbying matters

• Nathan Benefield
• July 14, 2008

A reader’s comments on our latest PikeTV video and reports on Turnpike lobbying argues that private bidders are also lobbying, and that tolling I-80 is “more fair” (i.e.

Media

Government Accountability

Responses to Bonusgate

• Nathan Benefield
• July 14, 2008

Following the bonusgate presentments (indictments), several lawmakers and newspapers are beginning to call for action to clean up state government. Sen Piccola will call for a special session on…

Media

Regulation

Lease It, If You Must Toll It

• July 14, 2008

Turnpike Commission’s plans for I-80 will cost Pennsylvanians billions HARRISBURG, PA — As the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission rolled out its plans for Interstate 80, the Commonwealth Foundation called on Gov.

Press Release

Regulation

Are tax-exempt bonds for stadiums legal?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 13, 2008

The Tax Foundation points to to proposed changes in law by the IRS and Democrats in Congress that would prevent tax exempt bonds from being used for private sports…

Media

Regulation

The Emperor Has No Clothes: The Truth about Secondhand Smoke

• Nathan Benefield
• July 13, 2008

Short paper from the Heartland Institute (click here for PDF) on the science of second hand smoke – including the oft-repeated claim about the number of deaths due to…

Media

Education

For Autism, Try Vouchers, Not Mandates

• Nathan Benefield
• July 11, 2008

John LaPlante points out on SPN Blog that instead of health care mandates, autism advocates should be pointing to tax credits or scholarships for autistic children. As opposed to…

Media

Public Union Democracy

Port Authority Labor Negotiations Online

• Nathan Benefield
• July 11, 2008

The Pittsburgh Port Authority has a website detailing the sticking points of the labor negotiation with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85. I think the lesson to be…

Media

Taxes & Economy

PA Gets Mediocre Grade on Economic Freedom

• Nathan Benefield
• July 10, 2008

Not suprisingly, given other state rankings, Pennsylvania gets a mediocre grade on the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of North America report for 2008. PA ranks tied for 26th…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Philly population declines – only New Orleans loses more residents

• Nathan Benefield
• July 10, 2008

A Philadelphia Inquirer article looks at Philadelphia’s population decline from 2000-2007, in which the city lost 68,000 residents (continuing a downward trend). The Post-Gazette has a related article…

Media