Regulation

Does Professional Licensing Protect Consumers or Big Business?

  • November 18, 2010

After his friend was killed by a drunk driver, Illinois resident Jonathon Schoenakase began to offer bar patrons a free ride home. Although he never charged for this service, Schoenakase…

Commentary

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Regulation

The Only Way to Fix Public Pensions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 4, 2010

The Baltimore Sun editorializes that the only way to fix the pension plan for state workers (in Maryland, though the same would hold true in Pennsylvania) is to move…

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

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Government Accountability

Does Legislative Size Matter?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 30, 2010

Good morning. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation. We are a nonprofit, independent public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg. I…

Testimony

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Public Union Democracy

Cost-Saving Ideas for Pennsylvania State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 12, 2010

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield, Director of Policy Research, Commonwealth Foundation to the Pennsylvania Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission, April 12, 2010 Good morning; I am Nathan…

Testimony

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Education

Ten Tips to Balance the Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 8, 2010

Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten…

Commentary

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Regulation

Illinois Passes Pension Reductions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 25, 2010

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

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Government Accountability

The Case for a Part-Time Legislature

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2010

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

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