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Government Accountability

Late-night legislating reawakens reformers

• Nathan Benefield
• October 26, 2006

Patriot News article on the late night shenanigans of our General Assembly. Also read our News Release on the manner in which “Cover All Kids” was passed. Eric…

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Health Care

What Is Consumer-Directed Health Care?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 25, 2006

In the wake of expanding government-run health care in PA, here is a primer on Consumer-Driven Health Care Reform by John Goodman (of NCPA, not The Big Lebowski)…

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Regulation

Ed Rendell brings hope to seniors

• October 24, 2006

John Baer of the Philadelphia Daily News quotes Gov. Rendell on why slot machines are so important to Pennsylvania. “These are people who lead very gray lives,” he said.

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Government Accountability

What to do about mediocre political leaders

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2006

TCS Daily – The Leadership Myth: “We have to expect mediocrity from political leaders. …The libertarian view is that private institutions, both for-profit and non-profit, are better at…

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Taxes & Economy

Ethanol: Bad for the Environment?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2006

NCPA Summary of research showing that shifting ethanol and E-85 lead to greater gasoline usage and harm the environment. Yet government mandates and taxpayer subsidy of ethanol remain the…

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Government Accountability

Republicans deserve to lose, but what happens if Democrats win?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2006

Pete Du Pont in today’s Wall Street Journal on the policies we can expect should Democrats take control of one or both houses of Congress.

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Health Care

Senate passes version of “Cover All Kids”

• Nathan Benefield
• October 24, 2006

Patriot News Update on the PA Senate’s passage of their version “Cover All Kids.” The specifics require a higher proportion of costs for families over 235% of the federal…

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Taxes & Economy

Where the Incumbents and Challengers Stand

• October 24, 2006

Harrisburg, PA — In two weeks, Pennsylvanians will head to polling booths all across the Commonwealth to cast votes for state House and Senate candidates, as well as for Governor.

Press Release

Regulation

Why make state beholden to California?

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2006

Sam Smith (House Majority Leader) Op-Ed in the Patriot News on the battle over using federal EPA or California standards for vehicle emissions. Also check out the memo…

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Taxes & Economy

Why should Pa. settle for mediocrity?

• October 23, 2006

Tony Phyrillas on Rendell’s ranking by the Cato Institute.

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Government Accountability

General reassembly

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2006

The York Daily Record series of editorials on the merits of a state Constitutional Convention and other governmental reforms.

Media

State Budget

Rendell hype costs Pa. $12.5M a year

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on the$12.5 million in the administration’s public relations budget. Just one advantage of being an incumbent.

Media

Government Accountability

House limits access to roll calls during session

• Nathan Benefield
• October 20, 2006

UPDATED: According to Capitolwire.com, access to roll call votes have been restored and The Speaker also wrote the House is exploring ways “to provide the public with real time access…

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Health Care

Shrink the Legislature to 8

• Nathan Benefield
• October 20, 2006

The House Democratic Leadership Letter – from Bill DeWeese (Minority Leader) and Mike Veon (Minority Whip) calls upon the General Assembly to pass “Cover All Kids” because they (DeWese…

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Health Care

Strong Rhetoric for Socialized Medicine

• Nathan Benefield
• October 20, 2006

Governor Rendell’s Weekly Letter along with a Press Release demands legislators pass of his “Cover All Kids” proposal. His rhetoric is powerful (read Lowman Henry’s admission that…

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Government Accountability

Judge sues to refuse pay raise

• Nathan Benefield
• October 20, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin’s lawsuit to not have her pay raised. I guess she doesn’t agree with Chief Justice Cappy that judges are…

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Education

The Laptop Revolution Has No Clothes

• Nathan Benefield
• October 19, 2006

Education Week editorial on the lack of evidence for “a laptop on every desk” mythology (registration required).

Media

Recommended Reading

• Nathan Benefield
• October 19, 2006

The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care is a thorough examination of the problems with health care, the recent history and politics of health coverage, why socialized…

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Health Care

GOP, Rendell’s office spar over CHIP

• Nathan Benefield
• October 19, 2006

Patriot News Article on “Cover All Kids”…

Media

The Wal-Mart Posse

• Nathan Benefield
• October 19, 2006

Wall Street Journal Article on who is behind all the anti Wal-Mart organizations…

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Regulation

Action on State Regulations

• Nathan Benefield
• October 18, 2006

The state Environmental Quality Board has pushed through a stricter mercury emissions rule for power plants that would likely increase the cost of electricity, jeopardize jobs, and has little…

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