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Education
President and CEO Charles Mitchell on Philadelphia’s Morning Answer with Chris Stigall
Read More: President and CEO Charles Mitchell on Philadelphia’s Morning Answer with Chris Stigall![shapiro record](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-17-at-2.38.29 PM-900x900.png)
Education
VP Josh Shapiro? Ad Spotlights Governor’s Failed Leadership
Read More: VP Josh Shapiro? Ad Spotlights Governor’s Failed Leadership![shapiro vice president](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1244670782-900x683.jpg)
Education
Governor Shapiro’s Do-Nothing Record Makes Him a Perfect Fit for Vice President
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Do-Nothing Record Makes Him a Perfect Fit for Vice President![shapiro record](https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-17-at-2.38.29 PM-900x900.png)
Education
New Ad Highlights Shapiro’s Historic Ineffectiveness
Read More: New Ad Highlights Shapiro’s Historic Ineffectiveness
State Lawmakers Argue Gaming Board Lacks Authority
ABC 27 article and video on the latest controversy over at the Gaming Control Board: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports DeNaples is being investigated by a Dauphin County…
Media
Read More: State Lawmakers Argue Gaming Board Lacks Authority
Watch Benefield live on PCN
The Pennsylvania Cable Network will be covering my testimony on prison privatization live – estimated time is 2:30 pm.
Media
Read More: Watch Benefield live on PCNCriminal Justice Reform
Private Prisons Increase Capacity, Save Money, Improve Service
Good Afternoon, my name is Nathan Benefield, I am the Director of Policy Research with the Commonwealth Foundation, a research and educational organization based in Harrisburg. I would like to…
Testimony
Read More: Private Prisons Increase Capacity, Save Money, Improve Service
Rendell: Give me money, I will stop terrorism
Governor Rendell continues to claim that energy plan will stop funding of terrorism. It won’t – his plan is all about getting more money to hand out to…
Media
Read More: Rendell: Give me money, I will stop terrorism
The Global-Warming Debate Isn’t Over Until It’s Over
John Stossel on Townhall.com on the Global Warming scare. Video of his latest segment is posted below. Also of interest is this New York Times column that…
Media
Read More: The Global-Warming Debate Isn’t Over Until It’s Over
House Republicans in double trouble
First, the bonusgate investigation has added subpoenas for House Republicans to those of House Democrats. One can only assume the Senate is next. Now Brett Feese’s…
Media
Read More: House Republicans in double trouble
We’re #1! And #4? In Lobbying, that is.
Finally, Pennsylvania ranks first in something – unfortunately, it is a dubious honor. The ranking is “most money spent on federal lobbying” by state and local governments. The great…
Media
Read More: We’re #1! And #4? In Lobbying, that is.
Opposing Reform for Opposing Reform’s sake
Yesterday the House voted to water down an ethics bill, which would have appointed half the members of the ethics committee by random, instead of by leadership appoints (read the…
Media
Read More: Opposing Reform for Opposing Reform’s sake
Stossel Video – Global Warming
John Stossel’s latest “Give Me A Break” segment on global warming addresses some key facts and myths: Stossel will be the keynote speaker at our Speaker Franklin…
Media
Read More: Stossel Video – Global Warming
Lawmaker’s bills to counter Rendell health package
Chambersburg Public Opinion on Sen. Folmer’s Healthy Pennsylvania proposal. Governor Rendell has indicated he might, maybe, support this plan “The governor’s interest is in health care…
Media
Read More: Lawmaker’s bills to counter Rendell health package
Oh to be an ex-lawmaker
Philadelphia Inquirer on former state rep Brett Feese’s $250,000 salary as counsel to the House Republicans. Though Feese’s salary is far higher than almost anyone in state government, including…
Media
Read More: Oh to be an ex-lawmaker
We’re #2
PolicyBlog has been named #2 on Pennsylvania’s Most Influential Political blogs by BlogNetNews. I’m not really sure what goes into the rankings (but I think linking to the ratings…
Media
Read More: We’re #2
Indiana Toll Road Better Under Private Management?
This letter in the Tribune Review covers why the Indiana Toll Road is better since it was leased under competitive bidding. It is in response to an earlier letter…
Media
Read More: Indiana Toll Road Better Under Private Management?
Act 44 borrowing ($532 million) to begin
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the PA Turnpike Commission will issue over $500 million in bonds this week as part of its payment to PennDOT. The debt will be paid…
Media
Read More: Act 44 borrowing ($532 million) to begin
FWHA to PennDOT: I-80 not “done deal”
A letter from the Federal Highway Administration to PennDOT Secretary Biehler makes clear that tolling for I-80 is not a “done deal” as PA Turnpike chief Brimmeier has allegedly…
Media
Read More: FWHA to PennDOT: I-80 not “done deal”
Poll on Judicial Retention – My Take
Triad Strategies and Susquehanna Polling released a very intersting poll on voter attitudes toward the November retention elections. Unfortunately, their analysis is all wrong. They found 63% of voters…
Media
Read More: Poll on Judicial Retention – My TakeTaxes & Economy
I-80 lease signed BEFORE details were finalized?
HARRISBURG, PA — Today, more troubling information was revealed in the ongoing dispute over whether or not the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)…
Press Release
Read More: I-80 lease signed BEFORE details were finalized?
Will taxpayers get their share of “The Fumo Mansion”?
Editorial from the Philadelphia Inquirer on the sale of Senator Vince Fumo’s $7 million mansion. The Inky hopes he gets the full price so that the taxpayers might…
Media
Read More: Will taxpayers get their share of “The Fumo Mansion”?
Back to the drawing board on Transportation bill
Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorializes in favor of the solution proffered by the Commonwealth Foundation on solving our transportation funding needs…without tolling I-80: We’ll restate the better solution: Privatize…
Media
Read More: Back to the drawing board on Transportation bill
I-80 lease signed with missing details
Philadelphia Inquirer on the controversy over when the I-80 lease agreement was signed: Yesterday, the agencies said their lawyers had continued to work on details of the…
Media
Read More: I-80 lease signed with missing details
House Open Records bill weakened
AP story can be found here Reading Eagle story on Rep. Caltagirone (a cosponsor) withdrawing support following the changes.
Media
Read More: House Open Records bill weakened