State Budget
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2010
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that through the end of March, state General Fund revenues are $719 million below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Tax collections have…
Press Release
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: April 2010Education
Operation Restore Launched to Preserve School Choice in PA
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
Read More: Operation Restore Launched to Preserve School Choice in PAHealth Care
Who the Health Cares About the Constitution?
Constitutional questions have dogged the health care bill since its introduction. But rather than address these issues head on, supporters of the legislation have shrugged them off. Speaker Nancy Pelosi,…
Commentary
Read More: Who the Health Cares About the Constitution?Regulation
Illinois Passes Pension Reductions
While the Pennsylvania General Assembly is holding hearings to assess our public pension crisis is really bad, or really-really bad, Illinois is acting to reduce state pension benefits…
Media
Read More: Illinois Passes Pension ReductionsRegulation
Private Parks Promote Public Preservation
It is an oft-disseminated myth that government has to be the sole guardian of our historic sites, museums, and parks. For instance, during the 2009 state budget impasse, Gov. Rendell…
Commentary
Read More: Private Parks Promote Public PreservationEnergy
Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea
In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…
Commentary
Read More: Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad IdeaTaxes & Economy
Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?
The Economist has a story on the city of Harrisburg’s fiscal mess, which has been years in the making. Thanks to an irresponsible city council, Harrisburg is still…
Media
Read More: Can Harrisburg Learn from Reason?Government Accountability
The Case for a Part-Time Legislature
There is a direct link between our full-time legislature and our state economy. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis shows a strong connection between legislative professionalization and higher spending per capita, a…
Commentary
Read More: The Case for a Part-Time LegislatureGovernment Accountability
For Whom The Turnpike Tolls
Tolls are appropriate because they are imposed directly upon travelers for their use of roads. However, the plan to toll I-80 represents more than a toll. It is also a…
Commentary
Read More: For Whom The Turnpike Tolls