Media

Lame Duck, or Big Winner?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 10, 2007

Tony Phyrillas celebrates Rendell’s losses in the budget deal – too bad that doesn’t do taxpayers any good. Phyrillas likes the “no new taxes” – but new taxes…

Media

Economics of Smoking Bans

• Nathan Benefield
• July 10, 2007

Some more resources on the economic impact of smoking bans, for legislators considering a smoking ban – see also our Policy Point on Smoking Bans: ECONOMIC LOSSES…

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Secondhand Smoke Facts

• Nathan Benefield
• July 10, 2007

Some more resources on the scientific evidence of second hand smoke, for legislators considering a smoking ban – see also our Policy Point on Smoking Bans: Secondhand Smoke…

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Price of Candy is Up!

• Nathan Benefield
• July 9, 2007

So I went to our office snack tray to buy an afternoon snack and notice that the price had gone up, and there was a note about the price of…

Media

Budget PR from PHMC

• Nathan Benefield
• July 9, 2007

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission uses it taxpayer provided resources to blame the PA Senate for trying to “cut” programs from the budget (with an $899 million increase). Which…

Media

Budget Questions

• Nathan Benefield
• July 9, 2007

Lingering questions/issues about the budget negotiations (with links to Commonwealth Foundation information on these issues): What will be the final percent increase in the General Fund? The Taxpayer Protection…

Media

More Debt for Pork?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 9, 2007

According to reports, the House Democrats are holding up the budget negotiations for more $500 million in new bonds for “Redevelopment Assistance Capital Projects.” What the heck are those, you…

Media

Regulation

Gov. Ed Rendells Ransom

• July 9, 2007

PA Governor holds state workers and public services hostage for higher taxes and fees, despite $650M tax surplus. HARRISBURG, PA – Nearly 25,000 state workers were furloughed and many public…

Press Release

A Letter To Ed

• Nathan Benefield
• July 8, 2007

Letter from a soon-to-be furloughed state worker to Gov. Rendell, courtesy of PA Clean Sweep.

Media

Tax Impact of SCHIP Expansion

• Nathan Benefield
• July 6, 2007

Last week I pointed out that Governor Rendell’s call for increased federal funding of SCHIP was because by passing “Cover All Kids”, the General Assembly created a program which…

Media

Public Schools Respond to School Choice

• Nathan Benefield
• July 6, 2007

Post Gazette story on Regional Choice Initiative in Beaver County. This would allow students who want a particular class, not offered by their district, to enroll in that class…

Media

Pass it all NOW – Don’t think!

• Nathan Benefield
• July 5, 2007

News release from the GovernorEditorial by the Post-Gazette calls for legislators to act on “reform” and pass a bunch of legislation in early July – unrelated to the budget…

Media

Some Definitions

• Nathan Benefield
• July 5, 2007

“Ponzi scheme,” from Wikipedia Rendell Energy Plan, from the Governor’s office Note the striking similarities. Also read Jared Walczak’s commentary on Energy Depletion. Despite all of the…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Rushed Legislation is Usually Flawed Legislation

• July 3, 2007

Commonwealth Foundation and Reason Foundation urge lawmakers to slow down on the transportation proposal MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the Pennsylvania State Senate, Members of the Pennsylvania House of RepresentativesFROM:…

Press Release

More Rendell Rhetoric

• Nathan Benefield
• July 3, 2007

Governor’s latest news release: “Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians are without health insurance, roads and bridges are crumbling, public transit services are being cut and medical research facilities…

Media

Gov: “Spend it All!”

• Nathan Benefield
• July 3, 2007

Central Penn Business Journal on Governor Rendell’s press conference:. Rendell said he is particularly disturbed by comments Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Gibson Armstrong (R-Lancaster and York counties)…

Media

Interest earned vs. interest paid

• Nathan Benefield
• July 2, 2007

Geoff Segal on the Reason Foundation’s blog points to a counter of the interest earned by Indiana from privatizing the Indiana toll road – currently at $180 million,…

Media

Don’t bank on legality of I-80 tolls

• Nathan Benefield
• July 2, 2007

Altoona Mirror advises lawmakers not to pass a plan that spends money from I-80 tolls, since getting I-80 tolls are questionable at best. From our News Release: “It…

Media

Spending Increases = Cuts

• Nathan Benefield
• July 2, 2007

Rep. Tim Solobay issues the first press release calling spending increases “cuts” (though several House Democrats did so in the floor debate): “The Senate removed millions from education” –…

Media

Rendell’s Compromise: $3.7 billion in new spending

• Nathan Benefield
• July 2, 2007

Gov. Rendell has been recently quoted naming all his “concessions” during budget negotiations. Even with “concessions” the Governor is still demanding $3.7 billion more in new taxes, fees/tolls, and debt…

Media

Stealth Lawmaking Lives

• July 2, 2007

From Democracy Rising….Stealth Lawmaking Lives: House Suspends Rules, Commits $1.65 BillionThis week the PA House proved why changing the rules doesn’t…

Media