Taxes & Economy
New Details on Proposed Tax Increase
As movement towards a budget deal progresses, more details have emerged regarding the sales tax increase we reported on yesterday. Let's remember that before we ask working families…
Media
Read More: New Details on Proposed Tax IncreaseTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania’s Shrinking Population Problem
In The Office finale, Jim and Pam decide to pack up their family and move from Scranton, Pennsylvania to Austin, Texas. While Jim and Pam aren't real, their fictional trek to Texas…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Shrinking Population ProblemState Budget
Fresh Start, or Stale Policies of Decades Past?
At the beginning of 2015, we heard a lot about a “fresh start” for Pennsylvania. But nine months later, it's difficult to identify anything fresh about Gov. Wolf's tax, borrow…
Media
Read More: Fresh Start, or Stale Policies of Decades Past?Taxes & Economy
Taxes and Taxes and Taxes, Oh My!
A recent NPR article notes that Pennsylvania “gathers less than 1 percent of its total tax receipts from an impact fee” on natural gas production (emphasis mine). Naturally, the…
Media
Read More: Taxes and Taxes and Taxes, Oh My!Regulation
Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Warns Wolf on Pension Bonds
This week, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto criticized Gov. Wolf’s plan to sell $3 billion in pension obligation bonds. In a meeting with editors and reporters from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,…
Media
Read More: Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Warns Wolf on Pension BondsEducation
Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions
Is American democracy under assault? That’s a question often asked when businesses exert political influence, unelected bureaucrats misuse power, or reporters engage in slanted storytelling. It’s time to add public-school…
Commentary
Read More: Our Undemocratic Teachers’ UnionsEducation
A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the City
The plan was for Hudson to attend public school in Philadelphia—at least for one year. But after Andy, Hudson’s father, visited their neighborhood school, Horatio Hackett, he wanted something different…
Media
Read More: A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the CityEducation
Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting For
As a teacher, a father of kids in public schools, and a taxpayer, I urge all our elected officials to join me in standing up for what’s right. Pass a…
Commentary
Read More: Lawmakers: Mary’s Law is Worth Fighting ForTaxes & Economy
Former Pennsylvanians Voted with their Feet
Residents continued their exodus from Pennsylvania in 2014. The latest Census population estimates, released last month, show that Pennsylvania gained 5,913 in total population between July 2013 and July…
Media
Read More: Former Pennsylvanians Voted with their Feet