Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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.

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

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,…

Media

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…

Media

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…

Media

Education

Universal preschool is inviting universal disaster

• Nathan Benefield
• December 5, 2005

SF Chronicle article – Universal preschool is inviting universal disaster. Advocates of universal pre-school in Pennsylvania would do well to heed this warning.

Media

Taxes & Economy

Lower Taxes = Economic Growth

• Nathan Benefield
• December 5, 2005

An analyis of population data and taxes finds that states with low taxes attract residents fleeing states with high taxes: The Heartland Institute – Taxes Fuel Historic American Migration…

Media

Brookings Institution Presents “Much Ado About Nothing”

• Nathan Benefield
• December 5, 2005

The Brookings Institution released a report today titled Higher Education in Pennsylvania: A Competitive Asset for Communities. In this report, they offer findings such as: Pennsylvania has many institutions…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Coalition (for Higher Taxes and Unlimited Government Spending) hopes to stop cap on state spending

• December 5, 2005

The Harrisburg Patriot-News highlights the effort to limit the increases in state government spending. While the beneficiaries of higher government spending want to keep their unlimited access to taxpayers’…

Media