Media

Regulation

“That’s the way the system works”

• March 28, 2006

Alletown Morning Call editorial on the “Quiet bump for legislators’ pensions adds to outrage over 2005 pay-grab“: Of the lawmakers retiring, 17 will see their pension benefit improve because…

Media

Regulation

War on Wal-Mart coming to PA

• Nathan Benefield
• March 28, 2006

From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Best quote: “Wal-Mart is trying to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.” Those heathens, trying to compete against unionized stores.

Media

Regulation

Pay Raise and Pensions Linked

• Nathan Benefield
• March 27, 2006

Coverage of the pay raise and pension link from Centre Daily Times, citing Rick Dreyfuss and our pension study.

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Taxes & Economy

Where does the state rank?

• March 27, 2006

Philadelphia Daily News edits down our commentary.

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Education

PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentary

• March 26, 2006

Equal time was given to Tim Allwein of the PA School Boards Association to offer a rebutal to my commentary in last Sunday’s Patriot-News. Fair game. It should…

Media

Regulation

State lawmakers look to boost their pensions

• March 26, 2006

Alison Hawkes in the Herald-Standard on the pension COLA debate. Side-Note: We’re not sure where, when, or why we started being called a “libertarian” think tank (although I think…

Media

Regulation

Ballooning Pa. pension costs could increase taxes substantially

• March 26, 2006

Excellent story on the looming pension crisis by Alison Hawkes in The Herald-Standard. But Rep. Mark Mustio points out the bigger problem: “It’s not like the system’s going to…

Media

Regulation

Raise repealed, but not retired

• March 26, 2006

Philadelphia Inquirer highlights the benefits for retiring lawmakers, most of whom took the “unvouchered expenses” which boosted their pension payouts.

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Taxes & Economy

Classy Economist

• March 25, 2006

The Wall Street Journal on Dr. Thomas Sowell.

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Regulation

Buying ‘Burgh Votes

• March 25, 2006

“Rendell: Plan ready to build new arena” in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

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Public Union Democracy

Union membership continues slide in Pa.

• March 25, 2006

No surprise. It is 2006, not 1926. But, having milked the private-sector cash cow dry, PA AFL-CIO President Bill George is turning to government sector jobs so he can…

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Regulation

Pension Editorials

• March 24, 2006

The Valley Independent believes that the “Pension battle should be instructive,” while the Reading Eagle suggests that the “State pension plan needs to be revised.”…

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Government Accountability

Rendell Vetoes “Fair Share Act”

• March 24, 2006

From the PA Manufacturers Association… FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2006 GOV. RENDELL VETOES BILL CANDIDATE RENDELL ENDORSEDFair Share Act vetoed by governor was identical to measure passed in…

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Taxes & Economy

Abuse of Eminent Domain

• Nathan Benefield
• March 23, 2006

Harrisburg Airport continues its quest to use eminent domain to take over a nearby competitor, according to the Patriot News. The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) is trying…

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Taxes & Economy

Earned Income Tax Credit, Not Minimum Wage Increase, Is Better Way

• March 22, 2006

Employment Policies Institute testifies in Harrisburg in support of Earned Income Tax Credit…

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Anton gives Rendell an “F”

• March 22, 2006

Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association President & CEO Fred W. Anton III gives Gov. Rendell some advice at the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employer’s Association luncheon. Read the Republic Herald story.

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Regulation

Public Pensions and Risky Hedge Funds

• March 22, 2006

The Massachusetts Secretary of State is voicing criticism in the Boston Globe over the amount of pension money going into risky hedge funds. This is noteworthy because Pennsylvania State…

Media

“Full of Baloney”?

• March 22, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Eric Heyl on Rep. Peter Daley’s efforts to expose the “dark side to Quiznos.” Yes, the sandwich shop.

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Health Care

Health benefit costs

• March 21, 2006

Th Bucks County Courier Times looks at the healthcare benefits crisis… Good health comes at hefty cost to taxpayers “Biting the bullet’ at public systems Public…

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Ticking Time Bomb

• March 21, 2006

Patriot-News editorial on the coming pension crisis.

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Public Union Democracy

Answering the Teachers Unions

• Nathan Benefield
• March 17, 2006

John Stossel on RealClearPolitics…

Media