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When was I-80 lease signed?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 18, 2007

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is claiming they complied with Act 44 deadlines, and impugns our news release on the issue. In an October 17 news release, the PTC stated,…

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There Are Better Ways to Insure Kids

• October 18, 2007

Today, Congress plans to try to override President Bush’s veto of the SCHIP expansion. Yesterday, the Democrat-controlled Pennsylvania House of Representatives spent hours debating a resolution to condemn President Bush’s…

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How to Argue against SCHIP

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2007

While the PA House is currently debating a resolution to encourage members of Congress to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP (granted, marginally less wasteful of time and resources than…

Media

Don’t leave educating our children to the government

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2007

Jeff Jacoby column in the Boston Globe: “FREEDOM of education, being an essential of civil and religious liberty . . . must not be interfered with under any…

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Energy independence means higher taxes in Pennsylvania

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2007

The Sam Adams Alliance blogs on Governor Rendell’s “energy idependence” strategy.

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Senator Folmer Unveils “Healthy Pennsylvania”

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2007

State Senator Mike Folmer has unveiled his Healthy Pennsylvania proposal – a series of health care reforms, that would promote competition and reduce costs of health insurance and health…

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Ethanol’s Water Shortage

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2007

Wall Street Journal piece with more on the problems with ethanol mandates and subsidies: Writing in Science magazine, Renton Righelato and Dominick Spracklen estimate that in order…

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Taxes & Economy

I-80 Lease Non-Compliant with the Law

• October 17, 2007

Governor should declare agreement “null and void,” says Commonwealth Foundation. HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation called on Gov. Ed Rendell and the General Assembly to declare the…

Press Release

SCHIP Demagoguery

• Nathan Benefield
• October 17, 2007

Amanda Carpenter on more SCHIP rhetoric from Nancy Pelosi. Paul Simon, sans Garfunkel, also spoke, as he needs a photo opportunity; he wants a shot at redemption; he…

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I-80 lease agreement ready

• Nathan Benefield
• October 16, 2007

Morning Call reports that the contract between PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission for tolling and leasing I-80 is ready to be signed. Though it is unclear if any such…

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Increase in Ethanol Production Could Significantly Impact Water Quality and Availability

• Nathan Benefield
• October 16, 2007

National Academy of Sciences report has more bad news of the environment impact of ethanol.

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Lots of reform news

• Nathan Benefield
• October 16, 2007

Yesterday was a big day for reform issues: The push for a better Open Records law included a news conference and a potential vote on Wednesday. (More on the…

Media

Rendell Administration: Mercantilism will revitalize PA economy

• Nathan Benefield
• October 15, 2007

I used to think the Rendell administration was guided by this economist, but after reading their latest news release, it is clear that 17th century thought is…

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Lincoln Institute’s Fall Business Survey

• Nathan Benefield
• October 15, 2007

The latest Keystone Business Climate Survey has been released by the Lincoln Institute. Click here for Survey Highlights The full Survey Results are here…

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I-80 Lease Agreement

• Nathan Benefield
• October 15, 2007

Toll Roads News on the “Rube Goldberg” contraption that is the I-80 lease agreement between PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission, expected to be signed today.

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BonusGate investigation heats up

• Nathan Benefield
• October 15, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer on the expansion of the BonusGate investigation and subpoena of several more staffers. Also check out the Patriot News story. Brad Bumsted offers his…

Media

Bill aims to ban teacher strikes

• Nathan Benefield
• October 15, 2007

Several state lawmakers will introduce a bill today to end teacher strikes in Pennsylvania. The legislation will be similar to a bill introduced by Todd Rock, but will…

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Civic Literacy Report – Take the Quiz

• Nathan Benefield
• October 12, 2007

The latest Intercollegiate Studies Institute report on civic literacy for colleges and universities is available online, along with quiz itself. (HT to Pete DeCoursey). I scored…

Media

Sweep The Judges?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 12, 2007

The Bulletin offers an insightful discussion of the PA Clean Sweep’s push for rejecting all judges up for retention. While we don’t offer advice on how to vote,…

Media

Republicans oppose system benefits charge

• Nathan Benefield
• October 12, 2007

Patriot News on PA Republican’s continued opposition to a new electricity tax, but their seeming acceptance of the notion we need to pick winners and subsidize cost-savings measure. The…

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I-80 toll conversion speeds on

• Nathan Benefield
• October 12, 2007

The Turnpike Commission and the PennDOT are expected to sign an I-80 lease agreement today, the Post-Gazette reports. Nothing like signing a contract to toll the road before before…

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