Taxes & Economy

What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2010

Recently, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics requested comments on how it should try to measure “green jobs.”  Here are the comments I offered: I am writing in…

Media

Read More: What the Heck is a Green Job Anyway?

Regulation

State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 12, 2010

A new survey from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics looks at the total employer costs for workers in both the private and public sector. While wages for…

Media

Read More: State and Local Government Outpace Private Pay by 44%

Taxes & Economy

Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the Disease

  • March 10, 2010

A new report by the Bureau of Business Research at Ball State University found that the recent minimum wage increases account for 550,000 fewer part-time jobs. According to the…

Media

Read More: Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the Disease

Regulation

Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 10, 2010

Gov. Rendell once again touted the reduction in and relatively-low number of state government employees.  But as we noted last year, the “state complement” includes only about half of…

Media

Read More: Still More Job Security in Pennsylvania Government

Public Union Democracy

Project Labor Agreements

  • December 9, 2009

Testimony from the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy CommitteeDecember 09, 2009 We would like to thank the members of the House Republican…

Testimony

Read More: Project Labor Agreements

Taxes & Economy

The Minimum Wage Myth

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 3, 2009

As unemployment continues to rise and talk of a jobs stimulus circulates some are advocating for another increase in the minimum wage. But such a move would destroy jobs instead…

Media

Read More: The Minimum Wage Myth

Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania: An Unequal Opportunity Employer

  • November 17, 2009

Equal opportunity has long been a cherished ideal in America. Yet state government is engaging in unequal contracting practices.  Governor Rendell's administration is mandating discriminatory Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania: An Unequal Opportunity Employer

Taxes & Economy

Job Losses in Pennsylvania Counties

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 16, 2009

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released data on county employment and wages today.  It is a little dated (March 2009) relative to national data, but does offer a profile…

Media

Read More: Job Losses in Pennsylvania Counties

State Budget

Budget Facts 2009: Personal Income Tax and Job Losses

  • July 3, 2009

Pennsylvania faces a $3 billion tax revenue shortfall in the state's General Fund Budget. Competing proposals from Gov. Ed Rendell and the Republican-led Senate differ on raising taxes and reducing/reprioritizing…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Budget Facts 2009: Personal Income Tax and Job Losses