Media

Welfare

Privatization of Welfare Administration

• Nathan Benefield
• December 13, 2005

An interesting study of how Texas is contracting out many technical aspects of their public assistance offices and streamlining the application process: NCPA Brief Analysis #539, A New Frontier…

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The state of Pennsylvania: Rendell’s ‘growth’ …

• December 12, 2005

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Gov. Rendell’s “cooking of the books” on job creation.

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State Budget

… tap-dancing pigs

• December 12, 2005

Editorial on spending limits from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

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Education

Striking teachers strike again…and again…and again…

• December 11, 2005

Students in the northeast PA school district of Crestwood may be getting a few more days off, thanks to the PSEA labor unions efforts to raise taxes on homeowners…

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Pension costs to rise

• December 11, 2005

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story on the rising costs of government-sector employee pensions. While the private sector recognized long ago the need to move away from “defined benefit” to “defined…

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Taxes & Economy

The Minimum Wage: DeWeese as Marx

• December 11, 2005

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial board said it, not me…but they’re right!! This may be the week that the Democrats attempt to artificially increase labor costs in PA. The irony,…

Media

Federal Government Subsidizes AARP

• Nathan Benefield
• December 9, 2005

The federal government subsidizes AARP to the tune of $80 million, according to HUMAN EVENTS ONLINE. What does AARP use the money for? Lobbying for, among other…

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Taxes & Economy

Help low wage workers by taking away their jobs?

• Nathan Benefield
• December 9, 2005

From the National Center for Policy Analysis: In June 2004 Santa Fe became one of three cities in the United States to pass a city-wide minimum wage applying…

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Jesus doesn’t want you to shop at Wal-Mart

• Nathan Benefield
• December 9, 2005

More hysteria from Wal-Mart critics – who have taken union dues to buy ads claiming the Bible commands us not to shop at Wall-Mart: Wal-Mart Critics: Where Would Jesus…

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Government Accountability

Capital Gains Tax Reform Benefits Seniors, Pennsylvanians

• Nathan Benefield
• December 8, 2005

The Tax Foundation released an analysis of federal capital gains and dividend taxes: The Tax Foundation – Majority of Seniors Benefit from Reduced Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Rates.

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State Budget

Spending Limits: The Facts for Pennsylvania and the Truth about Colorado

• December 8, 2005

MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL12.08.05, 3:00PM Commonwealth Foundation and Americans for Prosperity to Hold Media Conference Call TODAY Spending Limits: The Facts for Pennsylvania and the Truth about…

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Taxes & Economy

New Poll from Quinnipiac University

• December 8, 2005

Pennsylvania Voters Have Little Confidence In Tax Fix, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Anti-Incumbent Feeling Is Strong…

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Taxes & Economy

Senate moves to curb eminent domain

• December 7, 2005

News release from Sen. Piccola…. Senate Approves Piccola’s Landmark Eminent Domain Reform HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Whip Jeffrey Piccola (R-15) commended the Senate today for unanimously passing his “Property…

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Taxes & Economy

House Dems Push for Increased Labor Costs in PA

• December 7, 2005

In a seldom-used parliamentary maneuver, House Democrats may utilize House Rule 53 to discharge House Bill 257, legislation which would increase Pennsylvania’s starting wage by nearly 40% — from $5.15…

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Trial Lawyers Have No Shame

• December 7, 2005

Just returned from the Capitol… On the heels of defeat in the Senate, the trial lawyers lobby has set it sites on the House as it prepares to vote on…

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Brouillette v. Veon Recap

• December 7, 2005

Capitolwire’s Cate McKissick covered Monday’s hour-long call-in program on State Spending Limits on PCN TV. Here are a few excerpts from the story… Veon calls spending cap bill…

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Lots of economic development spending, little economic development

• Nathan Benefield
• December 6, 2005

A Policy Brief from the Allegheny Institute reports that Gov. Rendell’s jubilation over the latest job report is misfounded. While the Governor’s press release boldly claims that jobs are…

Media

Judges looking out for us?

• Nathan Benefield
• December 6, 2005

A Philadelphia judge sues to reinstate pay raises. As expected the pay raise repeal has already become the target of a lawsuit. The judge in this case claims the…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Rendell to veto tax cuts

• Nathan Benefield
• December 6, 2005

Governor Rendell promises to veto the tax cuts just passed by the General Assembly. His reason: “lawmakers did not pair the legislation with a corresponding spending cut.” Governor Rendell,…

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Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage: The Faux Pay Raise

• December 6, 2005

This Philadelphia Daily News editorial represents the general economic ignorance among people who think government can artificially increase the cost of labor without any negatives consequences. The reality is…

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Taxes & Economy

General Assembly Passes Tax Cuts, Sends to Gov. Rendell for Signature

• December 5, 2005

Two Senate news releases (Piccola and Thompson)on the Senate’s concurrence of a PIT and CNI tax rate reduction… Piccola Calls on Governor to Sign Tax Cuts into Law HARRISBURG…

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