Media

Higher Debt and tolls coming soon

• Nathan Benefield
• June 29, 2007

Marc Levy of the AP reports that the Turnpike Commission’s Mike Long’s Vince Fumo’s “Senate compromise” plan to toll I-80, issue $4 billion in new debt, and increase Turnpike…

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Taxes on the Poor

• Nathan Benefield
• June 29, 2007

NCPA report looks at how certain taxes disproportionately fall on low income holder – specifically taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and the most regressive of all, lottery/gambling. Funny how those…

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State looking at 6,000 retirees

• Nathan Benefield
• June 29, 2007

Patriot News on the unusually high number of state workers set to retire this year. Perfect opportunity to reform the pension system.

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Legislature should vet numbers on leasing

• Nathan Benefield
• June 29, 2007

The Patriot News calls on the Governor and lawmakers to “finish the script” and take bids for a Turnpike lease – even if it takes a little longer than…

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Rendell, GOP clash over kindergarten cash

• Nathan Benefield
• June 29, 2007

Philadelphia Inquirer on the debate over state funded and controlled Preschool. Read our Policy Brief on the inflated benefits of universal preschool.

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Updates on the Budget Negotiations

• Nathan Benefield
• June 28, 2007

The AP’s Marc Levy on the behind-the-scenes budget negotiations. Of particular interest is this: The House Republican leader, Sam Smith of Jefferson County, said that if budget negotiations…

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Anti-Universal Coverage Club

• Nathan Benefield
• June 27, 2007

Cato’s Michael Cannon has launced the Anti-Universal Coverage Club, which questions the dogmatic mantra of “universal” health insurance. The guiding principles of the Anti-Universal Coverage Club are: 1. Health…

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Turnpike lease idea detoured to future

• Nathan Benefield
• June 27, 2007

Charles Thompson in the Patriot News on Gov. Rendell giving up, for now, the idea of leasing the Turnpike. Some supporters of free enterprise see this as a…

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More on SCHIP

• Nathan Benefield
• June 26, 2007

After noting yesterday that Governor Rendell demanded more federal SCHIP money to fund his “Cover All Kids” initiative, I saw this recent Heritage Foundation WebMemo summarizing research that…

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Orie wants to change turnpike commission

• Nathan Benefield
• June 26, 2007

Post-Gazette on Sen. Orie’s three proposals to reform the Turnpike Commission: Prohibit the commission from hiring outside lobbyists. Turnpike contracts and bond work would be competitively bid. Future employees…

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Rendell begs for more federal tax money for SCHIP

• Nathan Benefield
• June 25, 2007

Governor Rendell calls for more federal funding for the state’s Child Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Why? Because without it, the “Cover All Kids” plan passed last year would cost…

Media

Alternatives to Penn Pike lease flout federal law

• Nathan Benefield
• June 25, 2007

Toll Roads News on the fact that the House Democrats plan to toll I-80 to generate revenue for roads isn’t legal under federal law. That hasn’t stopped Republican Sens.

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Was Rendell’s “Turnpike Lease” a ruse?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 25, 2007

Brad Bumstead believes that Governor Rendell’s proposal to lease the Turnpike was all part of a conspiracy theory to make the Turnpike Commission’s proposal to expand its authorities, raise…

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Success in Philadelphia

• Nathan Benefield
• June 25, 2007

Wall Street Journal editorial on the success of the private managers in Philadelphia schools. See my Commentary on the issue.

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Will Rendell and Senate GOP sell out on transportation?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 23, 2007

Capitolwire.com reports that Governor Rendell, and possibly Senate Republicans, will go along with House Democrats plan to toll I-80 and raise Turnpike tolls, and have higher local taxes…

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School Enrollment vs. Staffing

• Nathan Benefield
• June 23, 2007

A reader requested more info about some data in our Fat Facts of the Week on public school staff vs. enrollment. Here is the latest data from the…

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Gut-and-Replace Tranportation Bill to Be voted on Monday

• Nathan Benefield
• June 22, 2007

Post-Gazette on the House Democrats Transportation plan (also see Philadelphia Inquirer story) – done by gutting and replacing existing legislation. The proposal to get more money from taxpayers…

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State Budget

Senate Takes Step to Put PA on Spending Diet

• June 21, 2007

Commonwealth Foundation applauds WAM-free, low-growth budget HARRISBURG, PA — On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a 2007-08 budget in the spirit of the Taxpayer Protection Act. This $27.0 billion budget…

Press Release

Save up your quarters for I-79

• Nathan Benefield
• June 21, 2007

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the House GOP plan to turn interstates 78, 79, 80, 81 and 95 into toll roads. Further, to place those roads under control of the Turnpike…

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Masch on “Irreparable Harm” by spending limits

• Nathan Benefield
• June 21, 2007

Budget Secretary Michael Masch issued a news release decrying all the “vital services” that would be cut, had the state implement spending limits in past years. Masch’s demagoguery obscures…

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Response to Critics of a Turnpike Lease

• Nathan Benefield
• June 21, 2007

The Reason Foundation has a new version of their response to the leading criticisms (and questions) about a potential lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

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