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Education
VP Josh Shapiro? Ad Spotlights Governor’s Failed Leadership
Harrisburg, Pa., July 22, 2024 — Some political pundits say Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro would provide the Democratic presidential ticket a boost in a critical battleground state. That will only be…
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Education
Governor Shapiro’s Do-Nothing Record Makes Him a Perfect Fit for Vice President
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s Do-Nothing Record Makes Him a Perfect Fit for Vice President
Education
New Ad Highlights Shapiro’s Historic Ineffectiveness
Read More: New Ad Highlights Shapiro’s Historic Ineffectiveness
Education
New TV/Digital Ad Holds Gov. Shapiro Accountable for Turning His Back on Vulnerable Families
Read More: New TV/Digital Ad Holds Gov. Shapiro Accountable for Turning His Back on Vulnerable Families
More on House Reform
Pete DeCoursey of Capitolwire (subscription) with a scathing column about the lack of propsects for real reform: If you wanted to see how much is changing in the…
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The arena deal: Lost opportunity
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the welfare for the Penguins. The Post-Gazette has more of the details of the deal here. Also read Lee Wishing’s Commentary on the…
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A New Day in Harrisburg?
The new PA House rules passed last night unanimously to much praise from lawmakers. The major changes include Provide online access to bills, votes, and financial information Banning “ghost voting”…
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Read More: A New Day in Harrisburg?Education
Spending Restraint Needed
Good afternoon. My name is Nathan Benefield, I am the Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation. I would like to thank Chairman Armstrong and the members of the…
Testimony
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House Rules Votes
Here is a list of key amendments we compiled. (I will update periodically). Votes on Key Amendments to House Reform Commission Proposed Rules (HR 108). All of yesterdays votes…
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Welfare for Penguins
Governor Rendell has offered the Pittsburgh Penguins enough of a ransom to keep them in Pittsburgh. The Post-Gazette reports that the state will pay $7.5 million each year from…
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House rejects series of reform measures
Mark Scolforo of the AP on the reforms that won’t be happening (at least in this round). Yesterday’s votes removed the Reform Commission proposals to limit the powers of…
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Rendell awarded $516M in grants during campaign
Debra Erdley of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports on the handing out of grants from the Capital Budget Redevelopment Assistance Fund. Defenders of this spending say it will revitalize our…
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Read More: Rendell awarded $516M in grants during campaign
PHEAA releases details on board retreats
Patriot News with more analysis of PHEAA records, as they are being released.
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Read More: PHEAA releases details on board retreats
The Market for Medical Care
Check out this new NCPA Report: The Market for Medical Care: Why You Don’t Know the Price; Why You Don’t Know about Quality; And What Can Be Done about…
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Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
John Fund in the Wall Street Journal writes about taxpayer-financed lobbying, which was exempted from the “ethics bill”. Also check out this site from Americans For Prosperity on…
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Walter Reed and Universal Health Care
Greg Mankiw blogs on a satire piece in which Hillary Clinton calls for Universal Healthcare based on the Walter Reed scandal: “Just think how bad it would be if…
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Turnpike Lease Information
Rep. Joe Markosek (House Transportation Committee Chair) has put up a website with Turnpike Lease info. It has a pretty good collection of info, including a letter listing…
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Road leasing backed
State Sen. Don White talks about potential road leases in the Leader Times.
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Local Pensions in Trouble Too
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on the trouble with Pittsburgh’s municipal pension plan, and other local plans. Many municipalities are looking for state aid, even while the state pension plans are…
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End PSAs
John Baer on taxpayer spending on lawmakers “Public Service Announcements” in the Philadelphia Daily News.
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More PHEAA Coverage
More media coverage of the outrageous expenses of PHEAA, the Governor’s call to “clean house,” and the suggestion (raised by the Commonwealth Foundation) that PHEAA be privatized: – Mario…
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Read More: More PHEAA Coverage
Is Rendell Cutting Taxes?
Brett Lieberman of the Patriot News has an intriguing back and forth between myself and Governor Rendell and Budget Secretary Michael Masch on their tax plan. Despite a massive…
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Yes, Profits Matter
Investor’s Business Daily editorial on oil profits: Profits drive discovery and productivity in every industry, but particularly in the capital-intensive energy sector. The seismic and satellite technologies now…
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Read More: Yes, Profits Matter
Swearing-in Parties
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review articles reviews legislator expenses for their swearing-in day parties, including who charged the meals to taxpayers, and who didn’t: “Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver County, said he bought…
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PHEAA ‘housecleaning’ urged
Governor Rendell is now agreeing that PHEAA needs to “clean house”, as the Patriot News Reports. It will be interesting to see what he proposes, and whether he thinks…
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