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Commonwealth Foundation YouTubing

• Nathan Benefield
• June 20, 2007

We are now on YouTube! Visit the Commonwealth Foundation’s YouTube Channel for our latest videos; we will be adding more from past events soon.

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Turnpike proposes new funding plan

• Nathan Benefield
• June 20, 2007

The Turnpike Commission modified their plan for new funding for roads – eliminating the “congestion tax”, but still proposing:– New Bonds tied to the gas tax– Turnpike…

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New, higher taxes and fees in Pa. transit fund plan

• Nathan Benefield
• June 20, 2007

Dwight Evans and other House Democrats apparently have their own plan for funding transportation, which includes: Certificate of vehicle title, now $22.50, would increase by $6.50, to $29…

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Giving small businesses options

• Nathan Benefield
• June 19, 2007

Reps. DePasquale (D) and Mackereth (R) introduced legislation allowing small businesses to pool resources into association plans to provide health insurance to employees. This is one of the…

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The Oil Tax: Gross results

• Nathan Benefield
• June 19, 2007

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the Oil Company Gross Profits Tax.

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Protecting government agencies

• Nathan Benefield
• June 18, 2007

Today state House Democratic lawmakers unveil legislation to protect taxpayers government agencies and workers unions. Among the legislation they propose would be to “require any employee terminated due to…

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Fumo wants to expand Turnpike Commission

• Nathan Benefield
• June 18, 2007

To the suprise of no oneVince Fumo has supported the plan of the Turnpike Commission to expand their authority – raising tolls, taking over (and tolling) I-80, and issuing…

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Government’s Hedge Funds

• Nathan Benefield
• June 18, 2007

Capitolwire.com’s Pete DeCoursey (subscription) calls Governor Rendell’s corporate welfare proposals for what they are – a hedge fund. Talking about Rendell’s proposed Jonas Salk Legacy Fund and alternative energy…

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Morning Call columnist on LCB privatization

• June 15, 2007

Paul Carpenter writes about the privatization of Pennsylvania’s booze business.

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Holding taxpayers hostage over mass transit

• June 15, 2007

House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans plans to force a shutdown of state government if Harrisburg doesn’t give mass transit an ATM card to taxpayers’ bank account. He wants a dedicated…

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Public schools hate competition

• June 15, 2007

There’s a great bumper sticker that says, “Don’t Steal. The Government Hates Competition.” The public schools are no different. They hate competition too, and that’s why they want to reduce…

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School District Consolidation Report

• Nathan Benefield
• June 15, 2007

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) issued their report on the fiscal benefits of consolidating school districts. Their findings were that districts with 2,500 to 3,000 spend somewhat…

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Supreme Court Affirms 1st Amendment Rights of Teachers

• Nathan Benefield
• June 15, 2007

The US Supreme Court ruled today that states could require unions to get their members consent to use their dues for political purposes. Previously, a lower court had ruled that…

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Lancaster New Era endorses Taxpayer Protection Act

• Nathan Benefield
• June 13, 2007

Lancaster New Era (registration required) editorial supporting the Taxpayer Protection Act, along with the Commonwealth Foundation’s Diet Plan.

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Somewhat slimmer budget passes Senate Appropriations

• Nathan Benefield
• June 13, 2007

Senate Appropriations Committee sent to the floor an amended budget which includes very few of the Governor’s new programs, cuts some of the corporate welfare from DCED, and promised…

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Super-majority on tax increase legislation proposed

• Nathan Benefield
• June 13, 2007

Senator Eichelberger (along with co-sponsors) today introduced legislation (SB 975) which would offer a Constitutional Amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to pass any tax increase. This…

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Education

Count the Costs of Pre-K Counts

• June 13, 2007

Academic and financial costs of taxpayer-funded preschool questioned, alternatives proposed at news conference HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation joined with a coalition of organizations to call on lawmakers…

Press Release

Rendell shares Turnpike bid info with legislative leaders

• Nathan Benefield
• June 12, 2007

Governor Rendell announced he has provided the expressions of interest regarding a potential Turnpike lease to legislative leaders, on the grounds they not be made public until a lease…

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Healthcare For PA Families

• Nathan Benefield
• June 12, 2007

House Republicans unveiled the outlines of a alternative health care reform plan, which they are calling the “Real Prescription for Pennsylvania” (their website name, Healthcare For PA Families, is…

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When a spending increase is a spending decrease

• Nathan Benefield
• June 12, 2007

Watch the video and more at PADietPlan.com…

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DeWeese Ends Bonuses

• Nathan Benefield
• June 11, 2007

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that House Dem. Leader Bill DeWeese will end bonuses to staffers following scrutiny of past bonuses. In related news Rep. Glen Grell is proposing cuts…

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