Regulation

Five Steps Toward a Balanced Budget

  • February 5, 2015

The consequences of overspending have plagued Pennsylvania for years. This year is no different. Lawmakers are tasked with eliminating a projected budget deficit of nearly $1.7 billion, according to forecasts…

Memo

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Taxes & Economy

The Harmful Effects of a Minimum Wage Increase

  • April 7, 2014

In his 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama proposed increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. Although it sounds beneficial to low-wage workers, minimum wage…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Harmful Effects of a Minimum Wage Increase

Education

Approaches to Property Tax Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 24, 2012

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania House Select Committee on Property Tax Reform Good morning, my name is Nathan Benefield; I am the director of policy analysis for…

Testimony

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Regulation

Failing to Understand Liquor Store Revenues

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 9, 2010

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell unveiled his state store privatization plan yesterday. This is obviously an issue to watch for in Pennsylvania, where liquor store privatization is also a…

Media

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Education

AP Distorts Pennsylvania Education Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 9, 2010

In an article about potential cuts to state appropriations to school districts – which represent cuts to the approved budget, not to last year’s spending, and would be more…

Media

Read More: AP Distorts Pennsylvania Education Spending

Regulation

Pennsylvania Budget Facts 2010: Tobacco Taxes

  • June 2, 2010

Gov. Rendell proposed a tax of 30% on the retail price of cigars and smokeless tobacco products, in hopes of collecting $42 million in the upcoming fiscal year.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Pennsylvania Budget Facts 2010: Tobacco Taxes

Regulation

Tobacco Tax Fact Check

  • May 28, 2010

The misinformation that comes out of the Policy and Budget Center (PBC) amazes me. Here is the first post of a two-part fact-checking on taxing smokeless tobacco products…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Taxpayers Flee High Tax States

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 29, 2009

Our friends at the Empire Center for New York State Policy has a new report on the “exodus” of residents from New York to other states. The report is…

Media

Read More: Taxpayers Flee High Tax States

State Budget

ACORN Got $200,000 from PA Taxpayers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 17, 2009

Given all the recent scandals surrounding ACORN, the vote to defund them in the US Senate, and the Census severing ties with ACORN, it raises an interesting…

Media

Read More: ACORN Got $200,000 from PA Taxpayers