Taxes & Economy
Close the Loopholes
Few issues get politicians more exercised than the issue of tax “loopholes” – provisions in the tax code that allow affected taxpayers to reduce the amount of money they must…
Commentary
Read More: Close the LoopholesEducation
Let Common Sense Prevail on School Construction Projects
In the current debate over school property tax reform in Pennsylvania, all of the plans under consideration in Harrisburg focus solely on the revenue side of the school finance equation…
Commentary
Read More: Let Common Sense Prevail on School Construction ProjectsRegulation
When Social Security looks fiscally responsible
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Editorial on the coming pension crisis. What continues to amaze us is the feedback from un-informed and mis-informed union members who are saying that we (the Commonwealth…
Media
Read More: When Social Security looks fiscally responsibleRegulation
The Laws of Economics are Sovereign, Even in Pennsylvania
It’s a shame that King Canute never ran for office in Pennsylvania. King Canute was the mighty English ruler who, tired of the ceaseless flattery of his advisors, had them…
Commentary
Read More: The Laws of Economics are Sovereign, Even in PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
Sound Policy IS Sound Politics!
We are encouraged by the very familiar-sounding policy stance of these candidates for office. Sound policy IS sound poilitics! ______________ Text of March 7 news release…. Coalition of GOP challengers…
Media
Read More: Sound Policy IS Sound Politics!Regulation
Pennsylvania Pensions: Man-Made Financial Disasters
The “Process Improvement Theory” relates to the timing in a process when errors are diagnosed and fixed. As the theory goes, at each ensuing interval in which a problem is…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Pensions: Man-Made Financial DisastersState Budget
State Spending Limits: The Real “Road Less Traveled”
In his 2006-07 budget address, Gov. Ed Rendell claimed to be taking the “road less traveled.” But in unveiling his new spending plan, the governor revealed that he is speeding…
Commentary
Read More: State Spending Limits: The Real “Road Less Traveled”State Budget
The Rendell Budget: Would Your Family Spend Money Like This?
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had a good tax year – that is, in government collection terms. General Fund revenues will exceed expectations this year by a projected $353 million. But…
Commentary
Read More: The Rendell Budget: Would Your Family Spend Money Like This?Regulation
Beneath the Surface: Pennsylvania’s Looming Pension and Healthcare Benefits Crisis
Pennsylvania government employee-benefit plans operate in a vacuum. In a world where private-sector benefit cutbacks and cost reductions occur on a daily basis, state government in Harrisburg has not responded…
Report
Read More: Beneath the Surface: Pennsylvania’s Looming Pension and Healthcare Benefits Crisis