Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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.

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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.

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

Report card time: Rendell gets an F minus

• February 8, 2006

Tony Phyrillas on the Liberty Index in The Mercury.

Media

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…

Media

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,…

Media

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…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Spend more now, raises taxes later

• Nathan Benefield
• February 7, 2006

The Cato Institute’s Chris Edwards reports that many states (like maybe Pennsylvania) are following the same mistakes of the late 90s in Busting the State Tax-Revenue Boom. When state…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Mentality of Minimum Wage Supporters

• February 6, 2006

The Morning Call is reporting that House Republicans may be the only barrier between Rendell and his labor union buddies’ artificial increas in the labor costs in PA. One…

Media

Mid-Term Grades

• Nathan Benefield
• February 3, 2006

Liberty Index coverage in the Post-Gazette suggests some lawmakers may need to stay “after class”.

Media

Lawmakers report card

• February 2, 2006

Liberty Index coverage in the great Northwest. Read The Bradford Era story here.

Media

How to reduce property taxes

• Nathan Benefield
• February 1, 2006

An Americans for Tax Reform study on property tax reform in New Jersey and Massachusetts. While New Jersey attempted to reduce property taxes by creating an income tax with…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Taxing telecommuters

• Nathan Benefield
• February 1, 2006

New study from the The Tax Foundation on how New York, Pennsylvania, and two oather states attempt to penalize telecommuters who choose not to live there. However, rather than…

Media