Media

Government Accountability

Liberty Index released and GrassrootsPA relaunched

• Nathan Benefield
• February 5, 2008

The Liberty Index, now produced by the Conservative Reform PAC was released today, rating all state legislators and Governor Rendell on legislation through the end 2007. Hat Tip…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Grow the Economy, Not Government

• February 5, 2008

Rendell misplaces his faith in government to stimulate the economy HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation expressed disappointment in Gov. Ed Rendell’s FY 2008-09 budget proposal that would…

Press Release

Health Care

Rendell still pushing RendellCare

• Nathan Benefield
• February 5, 2008

Within the last few weeks, three state health care proposals fundamentally similar to Governor Rendell’s “Cover All Pennsylvanians” added to my “bad ideas pile” California legislators overwhelming rejected…

Media

Turnpike leasing gets another look

• Nathan Benefield
• February 5, 2008

Editorial in the Lancaster New Era on a Turnpike lease takes to task the fearmongers opposing the idea: Are opponents skeptical, or fearful, of turning the turnpike over…

Media

Regulation

Rendell’s Stimulus

• Nathan Benefield
• February 5, 2008

Yesterday, Gov. Rendell announced his wealth redistribution scheme, which he calls “economic stimulus”. His plan includes Cash welfare payments: Rendell is proposing spending $130 million (borrowing it from the…

Media

Government Accountability

“Groundhog day” on Open Records

• Nathan Benefield
• February 4, 2008

The Open Records bill (SB 1) is expected to be voted on in the House this week, after passing the Senate last week. See the press release from Common…

Media

Education

Budget Preview

• Nathan Benefield
• February 4, 2008

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story previews Rendell’s budget proposal, including “Rebuilding Pennsylvania”, involving a three-year, $860 million ($287/year average) in new spending on infrastructure, mostly through new borrowing. He also promises…

Media

Health Care

Equity and Health Care

• Nathan Benefield
• February 4, 2008

Wall Street Journal editorial looks at reforming health care through the tax code. That is, giving individuals the same tax benefits in buying health insurance as employers, along with…

Media

State Budget

Scarnati to Push Spending Limits?

• Nathan Benefield
• February 4, 2008

The Patriot News profiles Senate Pro Tem Joe Scarnati and it looks like he will be putting the Taxpayer Protection Act as a top priority, and even suggests…

Media

Regulation

Specter and the NFL

• Nathan Benefield
• February 3, 2008

The response to news that Arlen Specter wants to hold hearing with the NFL over “spy-gate” has been met with universal disdain – see, for instance, Don Boudreaux’s…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Climate Debate Daily

• Nathan Benefield
• February 2, 2008

New website, Climate Debate Daily, features the latest updates on the debate over global warming – what is occuring, why it is occuring, and what to do about it…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Understanding the Laffer Curve

• Nathan Benefield
• February 2, 2008

Center for Freedom and Propserity provides this video on the Laffer Curve. The key points are that 1)Most tax cuts spur economic growth and provide “feedback” tax revenue. 2)…

Media

Education

Voucher foes hurt poor kids

• Nathan Benefield
• February 2, 2008

Editorial in the Chicago Sun Times on President Bush’s “Pell Grants for Kids” and the unions’ mindless rhetoric denouncing school choice.

Media

Government Accountability

Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader

• Nathan Benefield
• February 1, 2008

This weekend, sports fans have the ineviable choice of rooting for Luke Skywalker or for Darth Vader in the Super Bowl. Yes, Luke is whiny and obnoxious (read: Eli Manning),…

Media

Regulation

$47 million for Soccer?

• Nathan Benefield
• February 1, 2008

Lowman Henry writes on the Lincoln Blog that $47 million for a soccer stadium doesn’t seem like a good use of tax dollars, and responds to some email comments…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Government on a Diet – ABC 27 coverage

• Nathan Benefield
• February 1, 2008

ABC 27 Video on our report Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2008 Please make sure your flash player is up to date. Click here…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Groundhog Duel – Taxpayer Funded Website

• Nathan Benefield
• February 1, 2008

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office has a new website: Groundhog Duel. The website features a video about two 6’2″ men wearing groundhog costumes collecting bling-bling and hooking up with gorgeous…

Media

Health Care

Maine’s Failed Health Reforms

• Nathan Benefield
• January 31, 2008

Greg Scandlen weighs in on the failure of Maine’s Dirigo Care program: 1. After 20 months of operation only 11,000 were enrolled in DirigoChoice (out of a total…

Media

Regulation

Professional licensing and the Italian Stallion

• Nathan Benefield
• January 31, 2008

In light of recent news about state licensing boards going after eBay sellers and our discussion of professional licensing boards in Government on a Diet, here are some…

Media

Regulation

State Liquor Stores Show Age

• Nathan Benefield
• January 31, 2008

Delco Times editorial on the need to privatize the state liquor stores. Dismissing the myth of state-run stores protecting against underage drinking (through anecdotal evidence, though a report…

Media

State Budget

Put Government on a Spending Diet

• January 31, 2008

Commonwealth Foundation analysis finds $6.7 billion in “unhealthy“ state spending HARRISBURG, PA — Today, in anticipation of Governor Rendell’s 2008-09 budget proposal, the Commonwealth Foundation released Government on a Diet:…

Press Release