Health Care

Who the Health Cares About the Constitution?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 30, 2010

Constitutional questions have dogged the health care bill since its introduction.  But rather than address these issues head on, supporters of the legislation have shrugged them off.  Speaker Nancy Pelosi,…

Commentary

Read More: Who the Health Cares About the Constitution?

Government Accountability

Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 24, 2010

In a Democratic response to Attorney General Tom Corbett’s decision to join 13 other states in filing a lawsuit against the Obama health care legislation, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans…

Media

Read More: Evans Threatens to De-Fund PA Attorney General in Tiff

Regulation

An Honest Debate About State Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2009

Throughout the budget process, Rendell has used this same tactic, called a "Washington Monument" ploy.  From claiming education would be set back decades, to asserting state police would have to…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Dwight Evan’s Favorite WAM Recipient Has Plenty of Problems

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 7, 2009

The Philadelphia Inquirer exposes another nonprofit with ties to a state lawmaker – this time House Democrat Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans – whose use of tax dollars seems sketchy…

Media

Read More: Dwight Evan’s Favorite WAM Recipient Has Plenty of Problems

Government Accountability

Government Ethics: Alaska vs. Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 22, 2009

Amanda Carpenter writes about a report that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may be cited (though no penalties would be attached) for ethics violations for … wait for it ……

Media

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State Budget

Why Are State Budget Negotiations Secret Meetings?

  • July 2, 2009

With all the debate surrounding the Budget this summer, a concerned taxpayer has the right to see exactly what his representatives and legislature are doing on the people’s time,…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Still Using Tax Dollars to Buy Votes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 22, 2009

Mark Levy of the AP has a hard hitting story of Pennsylvania lawmakers use of WAMs – i.e. “Walking Around Money” made available to us at the discretion of legislative…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Lawmakers Still Using Tax Dollars to Buy Votes

CF Statement on Film Tax Credit Study

  • June 5, 2009

Harrisburg, PA — Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette issued the following statement today in response to a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report on Pennsylvania’s Film Tax…

Press Release

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Government Accountability

Veon Fallout: An End to WAMs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 26, 2009

Yesterday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced additional charges against former Rep. Mike Veon and staffer Annamarie Peretta-Rosepink for their role in directing state funds to the Beaver Initiative…

Media

Read More: Veon Fallout: An End to WAMs