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Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage Reality…

• February 22, 2006

From: John F. BrinsonSent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 2:19 PMTo: PA General AssemblySubject: Minimum wage———————————————————– Dear Friends in the Pennsylvania Legislature: An increase in the minimum…

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Regulation

Retire the current retirement system

• February 20, 2006

This Daily Item editorial gets it almost exactly right. While the conclusions are accurate that it will be the taxpayers who take it on the chin, the blame is…

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Regulation

Officials differ on slots’ economic impact

• February 19, 2006

Gambling in PA: Economic Development or Political Handout? Although that is not the gist of this Herald Standard story, it is the point I try to make at the…

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Public Union Democracy

Union facts: The ugly truth

• February 18, 2006

“The Leftist agenda, the racketeering, the fines, the convictions, the magnificent, unearned salaries for union bosses. It’s all here. “ Read the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial.

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State Budget

The Myth of Spending Cuts for the Poor, Tax Cuts for the Rich

• Nathan Benefield
• February 16, 2006

Fascinating analysis by the Heritage Foundation on how the Bush administration – attacked by critics for “cutting spending for the poor while cutting taxes for the rich” – has…

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Education

How schools lock themselves into raising taxes

• Nathan Benefield
• February 15, 2006

Article on USATODAY.com explores how health care and other benefits promised to public teachers’ unions will cost school districts a fortune over the coming years. Anyone who thinks…

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Regulation

The War goes on with no end in sight

• Nathan Benefield
• February 14, 2006

The war on Wal-Mart, that is. Now Wal-Mart is under orders from Massachusetts to sell “morning-after” pills. It seems that in not stocking the notorious morning-after pill, Wal-Mart was…

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Taxes & Economy

The race for governor: Rendell’s ruse – PittsburghLIVE.com

• February 14, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on “economic development.” Citing the Allegheny Institute, the Trib writes that “Government subsidized “economic development” — a classic example of misallocating of resources — does nothing…

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Public Union Democracy

The New Union Label: Closed!

• February 14, 2006

From the New York Times: The Center for Union Facts shot onto the public stage yesterday by running full-page ads in The New York Times, The Washington Post…

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Public Union Democracy

“Don’t be talkin’ bad about me” protest

• Nathan Benefield
• February 13, 2006

Teachers’ union rally to protest “20/20” piece (John Stossel’s “Stupid in America,” which details how unions have stood in way of school reform) will occur on March 8.

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Education

Exceptions are rule for Act 72

• February 13, 2006

The Times Leader points out the “referendum in name only” aspects of Act 72…which are also present in the various bills winding their way through the General Assembly. For…

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Regulation

If only your retirement could be this good

• February 12, 2006

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Brian O’Neill writes about Rep. Jeff Habay’s prison sentence for stealing from the taxpayers to run his campaign, but points out the bigger scandal: the state…

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Government Accountability

Thinking about running for public office?

• February 11, 2006

The Associated Press provides a good Q&A on what it takes to run for the Pennsylvania Legislatures. Interested? Click here to learn more.

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Government Accountability

City Slickers #1 and #2

• February 10, 2006

This is funny. The Lt. Governor’s office issued this news release announcing that she and Gov. Rendell purchased the first and second fishing license. Talk about two fishies out of…

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Regulation

Pensions: Hedging Bets In Harrisburg

• February 10, 2006

This story, “Pensions: Hedging Bets In Harrisburg,” from Business Week (you’ll need to register to read it, but it’s free) reveals the shaking ground upon which Pennsylvania’s public pension…

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Welfare

Welfare cuts [or welfare EXPANSION by Rendell] have counties scrambling

• February 10, 2006

Philadelphia Inquirer story “Welfare cuts have counties scrambling” are missing THE major reason that counties like Bucks and Montgomery will be raising taxes — the dramatic increases in welfare…

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Taxes & Economy

Rendell the Benevolent Job Creator

• Nathan Benefield
• February 8, 2006

You may have heard Governor Rendell’s 2006-07 Budget Address, in which he once again touted his role in “creating jobs”. By using selected statistics, crediting any job growth in…

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Report card time: Rendell gets an F minus

• February 8, 2006

Tony Phyrillas on the Liberty Index in The Mercury.

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State Budget

Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act

• February 8, 2006

MEMORANDUM DATE: February 8, 2006TO: All Republican SenatorsCC: Capitol NewsroomFROM: Erik ArnesonSUBJECT: Rendell 06-07 Budget Proposal vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act Gov. Rendell today claimed that his…

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Government Accountability

How a Bill Becomes a Law … PA style

• Nathan Benefield
• February 8, 2006

In an effort to settle a dispute between some shareholders of Philly-based Sovereign Bank, as reported by the Patriot News, some “ghost voting” ocurred in the Senate. The bill,…

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Taxes & Economy

Absurd logic used to support minimum wage

• Nathan Benefield
• February 8, 2006

Yet another example of the limitless rhetoric used to support a minimum wage increase. This time, Rep. Josephs calls out other female legislators, demanding that they support a minimum…

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