Media

Regulation

Senate passes transporation P3 bill

• Nathan Benefield
• June 28, 2008

The Senate yesterday passed a bill allowing for Public Private Partnerships in transportation (bill text). The big Kahuna, the Turnpike lease, is exempted from the legislation, but it…

Media

Turnpike Commission Pushes Premature Vote on Lease Plan to Kill It

• June 27, 2008

House Transportation Committee may vote on lease proposal on Saturday HARRISBURG, PA — On the heels of two days of hearings in the House Transportation Committee on the proposed…

Press Release

PTC Still Stalling on I-80 Tolling

• Nathan Benefield
• June 27, 2008

The Turnpike Commission revealed today they won’t resubmit their proposal to toll I-80 until August.  That means it will take nine months to answer the questions asked by the feds. …

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Education

The Liberace Complex?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 27, 2008

The York Daily Record has a story on the South Eastern School District paying $97,000 for – wait for it – a grand piano. I may have to…

Media

Government Accountability

The end of “campaign finance reform”?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 27, 2008

The Supreme Court was busy yesterday, in its second major ruling, they struck down a portion of McCain Feingold campaign finance restrictions, ruling that the “millionaire exemption” is unconstitutional.

Media

Taxes & Economy

Mexicans and Machines

• Nathan Benefield
• June 27, 2008

The latest Drew Carey video on Reason TV tackles NAFTA, robots stealing jobs, and the benefits of creative descrution. I don’t know whether I laughed harder at the machines…

Media

PTC CEO Brimmeier Won’t Debate

• June 27, 2008

In addition to highlighting the launch of TurnpikeFacts.com, Toll Roads News reports on Joe Brimmeier’s refusal to debate the lease issue with the Pennsylvania Transportation Partnership. Apparently, he…

Media

Government Accountability

Turnpike Commission Lobbying Expenses

• Nathan Benefield
• June 26, 2008

Here are the Turnpike Commission’s 2007-08 lobbyist expense reports with the PA Dept. of StateThat comes to $519,000 over 15 months (just at the state level). Jan…

Media

Taxes & Economy

House passes divestment legislation . . . Third times a charm

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 26, 2008

The Pennsylvania House, by a vote of 185-15, approved the latest divestiture legislation. The bill (HB1086), sponsored by Rep. Shapiro, calls for the PERS and SERS…

Media

State Budget

Stop the Borrowing: $110B is Enough!

• June 26, 2008

HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation sounded an alarm today that both Governor Rendell and state lawmakers are poised to take citizens deeper into debt. “Putting the people of…

Press Release

Taxes & Economy

Right to Bear Arms Still Exists

• Nathan Benefield
• June 26, 2008

The Supreme Court ruled that individuals have the right to own guns. Click here for the Patriot News story. Some early commentary from Reason Foundation, Amanda Carpenter,…

Media

Health Care

How much will an autism mandate cost?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 26, 2008

The PA Health Care Containment Council allegedly has a study (it hasn’t been released, but some media are reporting on it) claiming that a new mandate that insurance companies…

Media

Health Care

Do Democrats want people to die?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 26, 2008

Yesterday, I got an email from a lobbying organization, which masquerades as a grassroots organization, led by Governor Rendell’s campaign manager with the subject, “As The Senate Delays, People…

Media

The Turnpike Commission’s misinformation campaign

• Nathan Benefield
• June 25, 2008

Here is a collection of news stories and posts on the Turnpike Commission’s toll-funded lobbying, marketing, and misinformation campaign to protect and expand their fiefdom. TV Ad Campaign…

Media

Education

Academic progress? Think again

• Elizabeth Stelle
• June 25, 2008

A new study by the Center for Education Policy claims significant improvement in student achievement across the country. The Cato Institute discounts the study…

Media

Regulation

State to save us from danger of unauthorized massages

• Nathan Benefield
• June 25, 2008

The PA House voted 193-5 to create a new board to license massage therapists (HT GrassrootsPA). The board will collect licensing fees fees, certify educational requirements, test would-be…

Media

Education

School Officials Raise Salaries Again

• June 24, 2008

An article in the Pottstown Mercury today highlights the salaries of school officials in the Pottstown School District. The school board voted on raises for administrators twice in the…

Media

Health Care

Address Health Care, Not Health Insurance

• Nathan Benefield
• June 24, 2008

Letter to the editor in The Daily Item focus on the Senate Republican’s health care reform plan, specifically their proposal to aid free clinics. While I agree with…

Media

Regulation

House Republicans Highlight Debt, Rendell Spending

• Nathan Benefield
• June 24, 2008

AP article on House Republicans (at least some of them) noting the enormous burden of debt on Pennsylvania taxpayers before voting on more borrowing for corporate welfare.

Media

Government Accountability

Perzel, Fumo at Secret Budget Negotiations

• Nathan Benefield
• June 24, 2008

John Micek reports on the details of the secret budget negotiations: The players last night:House Dems: Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, Whip Keith McCall and Appropriations Chair Dwight…

Media

The Turnpike Commission’s Family Tree

• Nathan Benefield
• June 23, 2008

Here is our newest video – PikeTV episode 1 Click here for more on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission at TurnpikeFacts.com…

Media