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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Taxes & Economy

Still Movin’ Out

  • January 6, 2010

The Billy Joel song Movin’ Out sounds more eerie and more depressing every year that Pennsylvania continues to lose people. Allied Van Lines has released its 42nd Annual Magnet…

Media

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State Budget

Pew Study Says Little about Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Health

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 15, 2009

In his budget mid-year briefing, Gov. Rendell cited, repeatedly, a Pew study on states’ fiscal outlook. While it is true that Pennsylvania is in better shape than states like…

Media

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Regulation

Outward Bound – Taxes Driving People Out Of Pennsylvania

  • December 8, 2009

Between 2000 and 2008, Pennsylvania suffered the depletion of one of its most valuable resources - people. During this period, the state lost 56,000 net residents, according to U.S. Census…

Commentary

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Education

Privatizing School Bus Drivers

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • November 9, 2009

In last Tuesday’s race for Central Dauphin school board candidates clashed over the privatization of the district’s busing. The pro-privatization candidate- Chris Judd narrowly won, but that hasn’t silenced the…

Media

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