Public Union Democracy

Stones to Take on Goliath

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2012

My friend Jon Caldara of our sister think-tank in Colorado eloquently and humorously offers an important lesson from the election—the results stem not from a short-term campaign, but from…

Media

Read More: Stones to Take on Goliath

Taxes & Economy

Will Shale Boom Change Election?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 1, 2012

The shale gas boom has boosted the economy in key battleground states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, which may help President Obama, despite his hostility towards fracking—the process which…

Media

Read More: Will Shale Boom Change Election?

Public Union Democracy

What Mitt Is Missing

  • October 31, 2012

Union bosses always profess to care most about the rights of members. But a careful reading of a feverish sermon in the left-of-center magazine In These Times reveals that their…

Media

Read More: What Mitt Is Missing

Education

Parental Choice + Competition = Better Schools

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 1, 2012

A new study of academic performance in Ohio finds that traditional public schools facing competition from charter schools experience greater gains in student learning. In summarizing the findings, the…

Media

Read More: Parental Choice + Competition = Better Schools

Education

5 Facts on the Parent Trigger in Pennsylvania

  • September 27, 2012

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation to reform the state charter school law. This legislation may include a "parent trigger" to convert failing schools into charter schools. …

Fact Sheet

Read More: 5 Facts on the Parent Trigger in Pennsylvania

Education

Approaches to Property Tax Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 24, 2012

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania House Select Committee on Property Tax Reform Good morning, my name is Nathan Benefield; I am the director of policy analysis for…

Testimony

Read More: Approaches to Property Tax Reform

Regulation

Should Taxpayers Subsidize Chocolate Making?

  • September 20, 2012

I testified yesterday before the House Finance Committee about how government-directed “economic development” hampers economic growth. A prime example of this happened Tuesday, where taxpayers forked over more…

Media

Read More: Should Taxpayers Subsidize Chocolate Making?

Regulation

Growing Pennsylvania’s Economy

  • September 19, 2012

Testimony of Katrina M. Currie to Pennsylvania House Finance Committee, September 19, 2012 Good afternoon, my name is Katrina Currie; I am a policy analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s…

Testimony

Read More: Growing Pennsylvania’s Economy

Taxes & Economy

How Attractive is Pennsylvania Drilling in 2012?

  • July 3, 2012

Back in 2010, Pennsylvania was as attractive to drill in as Cambodia. The state ranked 66th out of 133 jurisdictions worldwide, according to the Fraser Institute’s Global Petroleum…

Media

Read More: How Attractive is Pennsylvania Drilling in 2012?