Education

Gov. Rendell’s Gamesmanship

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 27, 2010

While table games have been in Pennsylvania casinos for more than a month, I don't know if Gov. Rendell has tried his luck. But it would be a safe wager…

Commentary

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Regulation

Allentown & the Failure of Sports Venue Subsidies

  • June 29, 2010

The $80 million taxpayer-funded hockey arena in Allentown will have to wait a couple years, as in addition to the stadium, it requires a multi-million new highway. Allentown is…

Media

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State Budget

Build America Bonds Encourage “Buy Now, Pay Later” Mentality

  • April 8, 2010

As part of the 2009 stimulus package, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner created a new program to subsidize municipal bonds. Unlike traditional municipal bonds, Build America Bonds are…

Media

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Education

Operation Restore Launched to Preserve School Choice in PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 31, 2010

The REACH Alliance launched Operation Restore, a campaign to restore the funding for Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program to $75 million.  The EITC, which before…

Media

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Regulation

Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board Employees

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 18, 2009

As table game legislation inches towards final approval another reason to doubt the integrity and fiscal responsibility of the PA Gaming Control board has come to light. The Gaming Control…

Media

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Regulation

Earmarks in Table Games Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 16, 2009

I mentioned previously that the legislation authorizing table games at Pennsylvania casinos included a number of earmarks (directing funds to a specific project) and WAMs (creating a pot of money…

Media

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Government Accountability

Shady State Contracts and the Need for Transparency

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 12, 2009

Auditor General Jack Wagner reprimanded the Department of General Services for their failure to execute and oversee state contracts. Since 2003 a large number of contracts have not been…

Media

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Regulation

Gambling – The Savior to PA’s Fiscal Problems?

  • November 10, 2009

Any prudent individual would not plan on gambling winnings to become prosperous or even to get out of debt. But the state of Pennsylvania, turns to gambling to resolve all…

Media

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Government Accountability

There is No Defense for WAMs

  • October 26, 2009

Among the many faults with WAMs, perhaps the most egregious is that taxpayers can never figure out where this money is going. For example,…

Media

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