Staff

Regulation

Boeing-Sized Welfare Checks

• July 17, 2006

For the past three and one-half years, the ostensible premise of Gov. Ed Rendell’s “economic stimulus” plan has been that by making “targeted investments” in politically chosen companies and industries,…

Commentary

Regulation

Steering Online Gamblers Toward State Lotteries

• Nathan Benefield
• July 14, 2006

Jacob Sullum of the Reason Foundation wonders why some members of Congress are pushing for tougher measures banning online gambling while supporting state lotteries and casinos. The answer is…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Cost of Government Day

• Nathan Benefield
• July 14, 2006

Americans for Tax Reform released their Cost of Government Day Report yesterday, which was coincidently the national Cost of Government Day. This represents the day in which American earned…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Minimum Rationality for Minimum Wage

• July 14, 2006

In an election year, legislators do irrational things, such as spend more money than the budget supports, fund pork projects for their districts, and raise the minimum wage.

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Ending Teacher Strikes?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 13, 2006

Rep. Will Gabig has introduced legislation to curb teacher strikes (working with Simon Campbell of Stop Teacher Strikes Inc.) Check out the Courier Times Coverage. Read Simon’s recent…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Stocking up on tax dollars

• Nathan Benefield
• July 13, 2006

Meadville Tribune editorial on how the state is spending the “windfall” surplus instead of returning it to taxpayers.

Media

Government Accountability

Mere Coincidence

• Nathan Benefield
• July 12, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on the six-figure government job awarded to Joseph Hoeffel – who earlier this year dropped out of the Lt. Gov. race after a meeting with Governor…

Media

Property Tax “Reform” and Referendum

• Nathan Benefield
• July 11, 2006

Read my letter to the editor in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Also note the conclusion reached by the Allentown Morning Call editorial on the recent property tax “relief:”…

Media

Government Accountability

In House, reform’s a no-starter

• July 11, 2006

Brad Bumsted in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on the House’s reluctance (once again) to reform itself. Topics on this page Brad BumstedPittsburgh Tribune-Review…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Analysis shows that school-tax reform was just a gesture from Harrisburg : The Morning Call Online

• July 11, 2006

Morning Call editorial on “referendum in name only” as well as “tax reform in name only.” We only wish that more editorial boards would have listened to us…

Media

State Budget

Whiskey and Car Keys

• Matthew Brouillette
• July 11, 2006

Author P.J. O’Rourke once wrote: “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” He must have been thinking about Gov. Rendell and…

Commentary

Regulation

Looks like business as usual – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

• July 9, 2006

Dimitri Vassilaros writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about the effort to defund one of PA’s corporate welfare programs” No doubt many businesses are successful because their close relationships with…

Media

Education

Education funding should go with child

• July 9, 2006

Former PA Secretary of Education Charles Zogby writes in the Patriot-News how we OUGHT to fund education, but don’t. Zogby says: “Today, nearly 35 percent of Pennsylvania children graduate…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Minimum wage increase might hurt teens

• July 9, 2006

“Might”? Hmmm… When the cost of something goes up, don’t we buy less? Oh, our politicians in Harrisburg are passing a law to nullify the laws of economics. Good luck…

Media

Regulation

Stop the charade

• July 9, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on Sen. Jane Orie’s effort to cut some corporate welfare in PA. Topics on this page Jane OriePennsylvaniaPittsburgh Tribune-Review…

Media

Regulation

Senate acts to cut back a few perks

• Nathan Benefield
• July 7, 2006

As reported in the Patriot News, the state Senate plans to force Senators to contribute to their health care plans (possibly 1% of salary) and reduce the money available…

Media

State Budget

Governor Rendell’s Sense of Irony

• Nathan Benefield
• July 6, 2006

On the anniversary of the 2005 pay raise, Governor Rendell will be handing out pork in the Capitol … non-metaphorical pork in this case. From News Release: HARRISBURG…

Media

Regulation

Want to braid hair? Talk to Big Brother.

• Nathan Benefield
• July 6, 2006

Despite not having time to address lobbyist reform during the past few weeks, the General Assembly was able to pass a myriad of minor bills, including one (SB 707)…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Wal-Mart Tax Fizzle

• Nathan Benefield
• July 6, 2006

Wall Street Journal article on how the “Wal-Mart tax” push is failing in almost every state. Read our analysis of why the Wal-Mart tax is bad for Pennsylvania…

Media

State Budget

Budget Coverage

• Nathan Benefield
• July 3, 2006

Some press coverage of the late night/early morning state budget deal: Herald Standard (Commonwealth Foundation quoted)Pittsburgh TribPost Gazette (Commonwealth Foundation quoted)Philadelphia Inquirer (Commonwealth…

Media

Platinum Parachutes

• Nathan Benefield
• July 2, 2006

Read the John Kennedy’s latest commentary in today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Topics on this page John F. KennedyPittsburgh Post-Gazette…

Media