Media

Did Thornburgh really call for “moderation”?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 26, 2007

The most recent Madonna and Young Political Uncorrected commentary claims that former Gov. Dick Thornburgh’s congressional testimony wasn’t about defending his client Cyril Wecht, who is under indictment…

Media

Educators urge Legislature to fix system (i.e. spend more)

• Nathan Benefield
• October 25, 2007

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the latest call for increased state spending on education from the Education Policy and Leadership Center. Their drumbeat is that the state’s share is only 38%…

Media

State Lawmakers Argue Gaming Board Lacks Authority

• Nathan Benefield
• October 25, 2007

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

Watch Benefield live on PCN

• Nathan Benefield
• October 25, 2007

The Pennsylvania Cable Network will be covering my testimony on prison privatization live – estimated time is 2:30 pm.

Media

Criminal Justice Reform

Private Prisons Increase Capacity, Save Money, Improve Service

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2007

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

Rendell: Give me money, I will stop terrorism

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2007

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

The Global-Warming Debate Isn’t Over Until It’s Over

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2007

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

House Republicans in double trouble

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2007

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

We’re #1! And #4? In Lobbying, that is.

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2007

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

Opposing Reform for Opposing Reform’s sake

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2007

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

Stossel Video – Global Warming

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2007

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

Lawmaker’s bills to counter Rendell health package

• Nathan Benefield
• October 22, 2007

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

Oh to be an ex-lawmaker

• Nathan Benefield
• October 22, 2007

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

We’re #2

• Nathan Benefield
• October 22, 2007

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

Indiana Toll Road Better Under Private Management?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 22, 2007

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

Act 44 borrowing ($532 million) to begin

• Nathan Benefield
• October 22, 2007

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

FWHA to PennDOT: I-80 not “done deal”

• Nathan Benefield
• October 19, 2007

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

Poll on Judicial Retention – My Take

• Nathan Benefield
• October 19, 2007

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

Taxes & Economy

I-80 lease signed BEFORE details were finalized?

• October 19, 2007

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

Will taxpayers get their share of “The Fumo Mansion”?

• October 19, 2007

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

Back to the drawing board on Transportation bill

• October 19, 2007

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