Thoughts on Tea Parties

Nathan Benefield
March 3, 2009

Alex Charyna of PAWatercooler writes on the idea of tea parties – such as the one to be held in Harrisburg on Saturday – saying they are a…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2009

March 3, 2009

Updates on Pennsylvania’s Revenue Shortfall from the Commonwealth Foundation The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the February revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $1.27 billion short for…

Press Release

Regulation

Pennsylvanias Spending Problem

Matthew Brouillette
February 27, 2009

Imagine our economy is a pond. In the name of “economic stimulation,” Gov. Ed Rendell goes to one side of the pond, dips in a bucket, pulls it out and…

Commentary

“Tea Parties” Coming to Pennsylvania

Nathan Benefield
February 25, 2009

Online conservative activists have rallied to CNBC’s Rick Santelli’s call last for a “Nationwide Tea Party” to protest the economic “stimulus,” bailouts, and erosion of liberty. Here are some…

Media

Education

Fact Check: PA Education Spending

Nathan Benefield
February 24, 2009

A myth floating around Harrisburg is that the state government used to fund 50% of K-12 education, and has reduced support since then. This was most recently stated by…

Media

Education

High Marks for Higher Ed Reforms

February 18, 2009

Sen. Piccola’s proposal would increase college affordability, accountability HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation today praised the proposal to reform higher education funding introduced by Senate Education Committee…

Press Release

Government Accountability

Pay to Play Culture in Harrisburg

Nathan Benefield
February 18, 2009

ABC 27 has a story/video highlighting the “pay-to-play” cronyism in Harrisburg, specifically the $11 million in outside legal fees (despite hundreds of lawyers on staff) going to Ballard Spahr…

Media

Education

School District Consolidation is a Red Herring

Nathan Benefield
February 13, 2009

In the movie Men in Black, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) carries a small device that flashes, allowing him to make people forget meeting him (or seeing aliens). Gov. Rendell…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009

Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
February 12, 2009

Government on a Diet: Spending Tips 2009 identifies $5 billion in unhealthy state spending in FY 2008-09 and offers a series of recommendations to both resolve the current revenue shortfall…

Report