Public Union Democracy

Teachers Unions Putting More Dues Money into Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 15, 2014

While union leadership continues to repeat the myth that union dues cannot be used for politics, the latest newsletter from the Pennsylvania State Education Assocation again reveals, in small…

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Regulation

Is Corporate Welfare for Shell Cracker Good for PA?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 19, 2012

Astute readers may remember that last month Pennsylvania earned the dubious distinction of the highest taxes for mature businesses and the second highest taxes for new businesses. So how…

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Synopsis of Stimulus 7: Serious Spending

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 9, 2011

Obama laid out his “jobs speech” Thursday night, outlining the plot of Stimulus 7. Since few people paid attention to this, on account of flooding in Pennsylvania…

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Taxes & Economy

Manning Up Isn’t For ‘Wusses’

  • December 29, 2010

As the old saying goes, “it takes one to know one,” and outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell, who has obviously spent more time analyzing the Philadelphia Eagles than bringing jobs back…

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Regulation

There’s a reason so many Steeler fans have left Pittsburgh

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 19, 2009

Jerry Bowyer has an excellent piece in today’s Wall Street Journal on why sports – and taxpayer subsidized sports stadiums – do not lead to broader economic gains (a…

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Taxes & Economy

Even heroes can misspend other people’s money

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 29, 2008

Two separate letters to the editor in the Patriot News denounce the Commonwealth Foundation for commenting on Colonel Miller’s flights to other states. Here is Matt Brouillette’s quote in…

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Taxes & Economy

Steelers for sale?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 8, 2008

In what may be a shock to Pittsburgh Steelers fans, the Wall Street Journal reports the Rooney family may be looking to sell the team (also see Tribune Review article).

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Regulation

Specter and the NFL

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2008

The response to news that Arlen Specter wants to hold hearing with the NFL over “spy-gate” has been met with universal disdain – see, for instance, Don Boudreaux’s…

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Government Accountability

Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 1, 2008

This weekend, sports fans have the ineviable choice of rooting for Luke Skywalker or for Darth Vader in the Super Bowl. Yes, Luke is whiny and obnoxious (read: Eli Manning),…

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