Media

Public Union Democracy

The Elephant in Gov. Wolf’s Reception Room

• Nathan Benefield
• August 4, 2015

A few recent articles and editorials have directed attention to political contributions by gas drillers, while ignoring a far larger and more powerful interest group—government unions. The fact is, political spending…

Media

Gov. Wolf’s Agenda is Hurting PA Families

• August 3, 2015

Abby and Micah Dunn are raising their three young boys in central Pennsylvania. Families like the Dunns will see a $1,400 tax increase if Gov. Wolf gets the tax…

Media

Regulation

Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Warns Wolf on Pension Bonds

• Jonathan Reginella
• July 30, 2015

This week, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto criticized Gov. Wolf’s plan to sell $3 billion in pension obligation bonds. In a meeting with editors and reporters from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,…

Media

State Budget

Which States Have the Biggest Tax Increases?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 30, 2015

Previously, we blogged on how Gov. Wolf’s tax proposal raises more revenue than the tax proposals in the 49 other states combined. To put this another way, Wolf’s $4.6 billion tax increase is nearly $4 billion more…

Media

State Budget

Pay No Attention to Those Tax Increases!

• Nathan Benefield
• July 29, 2015

The liberal Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center—an arm of the union-funded Keystone Research Center—has a new claim that Gov. Wolf's “property tax relief” is similiar to that in a bill passed…

Media

State Budget

When Will Gov. Wolf Compromise?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 28, 2015

My letter to the editor in the Times Leader today takes Gov. Wolf to task for claiming to compromise, while still insisting on his sales and income tax increases—the largest tax…

Media

Rand Paul’s ‘Economic Freedom Zone’ a fix for western PA?

• July 24, 2015

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

Wolf Truth Squad: The Dirty Dozen

• Nathan Benefield
• July 23, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf is touring the state, touting an energy tax for education—while omitting several important facts.  He’s not mentioning that a severance tax will hurt real people with…

Media

Letter to the Editor: Commonwealth Foundation donors have a right to stay secret

• July 23, 2015

Media Hit

Gov. Wolf misleading public

• July 23, 2015

Media Hit

Education

Strange Arguments Against Seniority Reform

• James Paul
• July 22, 2015

An amusing opinion article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes aim at pending legislation that would protect high-performing teachers and change incentives in persistently failing schools. Authors Adam…

Media

Don’t buy Wolf’s budget propaganda (letter)

• July 22, 2015

Media Hit

Public Union Democracy

The Law Should Not Condone Violence

• Nathan Benefield
• July 21, 2015

Yesterday, Ironworkers Local 401 union leader Joseph Dougherty was given a 19 year prison sentence for encouraging sabotage and intimidation to advance his union’s interests. The judge in the…

Media

Taxes & Economy

A Cooked Goose Lays No Golden Eggs

• Gordon Tomb
• July 21, 2015

Gov. Wolf continues to promote a severance tax on natural gas, even as Pennsylvania energy companies report financial losses and job reductions. This week, Consol Energy projected…

Media

Education

Lawsuit Inspires Teacher to Speak Out

• James Paul
• July 20, 2015

Over the weekend, Adam Brandolph of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review penned an excellent story on James Williams, a Mercer County science teacher standing up for his rights against the Pennsylvania…

Media

PA Democrat Gov. Wolf’s Largest Tax Increase In History Rejected By Both Parties In The House 193-0

• July 20, 2015

Media Hit

Budget Debate Highlights Pennsylvania’s Need for Fundamental Tax and Pension Reform

• July 20, 2015

Media Hit

School funding: Reform pensions

• July 19, 2015

Media Hit

Taxes & Economy

A Severance Tax “Like Other States”? Not so fast

• Nathan Benefield
• July 17, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf and special interest groups continue to insist Pennsylvania needs to enact a severance tax because “other states have one.” This, of course, ignores the fact that Pennsylvania…

Media

Some PA school districts missing out on $1 billion in state aid

• July 16, 2015

Media Hit

Booze Monopoly, Billions In Tax Hikes At Stake In PA Budget Standoff

• July 16, 2015

Media Hit