Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Natural Gas Boom

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 8, 2010

The Marcellus Shale formation is believed to be the largest unconventional natural gas reservoir in America, and its exploration has been coined a modern-day gold rush. More than a mile…

Fact Sheet

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State Budget

The State and Local Government Debt Mess

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 4, 2010

While investment guru Warren Buffett is pulling out of municipal bonds, Gov. Rendell says Buffett doesn’t know what he is talking about, and that there is no problem with…

Media

Read More: The State and Local Government Debt Mess

State Budget

Welfare Fraud and Abuse

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 2, 2010

Good afternoon, my name is Elizabeth Stelle, and I am a research associate with the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, a non-partisan educational institute based in Harrisburg. Thank you…

Testimony

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Government Accountability

Accurate Information About a Part-Time Legislature

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 2, 2010

Senator Daylin Leach opined in the Post-Gazette over the weekend, defending the legislature he serves in (previously as a House member) against the Grand Jury report calling for…

Media

Read More: Accurate Information About a Part-Time Legislature

State Budget

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2010

  • June 1, 2010

Following May’s tax collections, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that state General Fund revenues are $1.2 billion below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Tax collections have…

Press Release

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2010

State Budget

PA House Democrats Try to Ram Through Tax Hikes

  • May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010–Last night, the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee — on a straight party line vote, with only Democrat support — amended into a bill (HB 325) related to volunteer…

Press Release

Read More: PA House Democrats Try to Ram Through Tax Hikes

Government Accountability

The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 24, 2010

Everyone loves to hate "special interests."  They spend millions of dollars in electing and lobbying public officials in order to gain political or legislative favor.  So it was no surprise…

Commentary

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Regulation

F&M Poll Shows Voters Support Liquor Store Privatization

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 14, 2010

The latest Franklin & Marshall College poll spends, not surprising, a good deal of time on election-related questions, but has a few related to current policy proposals in Harrisburg. …

Media

Read More: F&M Poll Shows Voters Support Liquor Store Privatization