Taxes & Economy

The Overton Window

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 8, 2010

The Overton Window – the title of Glenn Beck’s new book, a work of fiction which borrows from the idea- is a concept that help drives the work of…

Media

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Regulation

PA House Authorizes New Debt for Corporate Welfare

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 26, 2010

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House approved legislation – HB 2399 – to allow the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to borrow and additional $50 to $100 million for additional “economic development…

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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Government Accountability

In Defense of Political Anonymity

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 2, 2010

Former FEC Chief Bradley Smith has a good article in the winter issue of City Journal on the problems with campaign finance disclosure. Imagine if the George W.

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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Regulation

Pension Obligation Bonds: Worst Idea Ever

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 21, 2010

Rick Dreyfuss has a new article for the Mackinac Center in Michigan, where lawmakers are floating the idea of Pension Obligation Bonds to help fill their pension gap.  Of…

Media

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Regulation

(Michael) Moore Movie Subsidies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 29, 2010

Michael Moore’s latest film, Capitalism: A Love Story – which bashes taxpayer bailouts of big Wall Street companies – was itself the recipient of taxpayer subsidies from the state of…

Media

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Government Accountability

Free Political Speech and Paycheck Protection

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 21, 2010

The US Supreme Court today upheld that the First Amendment protects speech around elections from corporations and unions. The case concerns Citizens United, which produced a film Hillary: The Movie,…

Media

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