Six Opportunities for Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2010

Once upon a time, "Keystone State" represented more than just a nickname, as Pennsylvania was central to America's economy. Over the past several decades, however, our importance has diminished. Our…

Commentary

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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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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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Taxes & Economy

Congress Working on “[Save Their Own] Jobs” Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 30, 2009

With jobs losses continuing to mount, Congress is considering a third economic “stimulus” (pundits often ignore the Bush stimulus of 2008) in…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Taxpayers Flee High Tax States

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 29, 2009

Our friends at the Empire Center for New York State Policy has a new report on the “exodus” of residents from New York to other states. The report is…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Two New State Business Climate Rankings

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2009

The Tax Foundation released their updated State Business Tax Climate Index for FY 2010. In the latest rendition, Pennsylvania ranks 27th overall. Broken down by category the Keystone State…

Media

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Government Accountability

Legislative Staff and Term Limits

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 10, 2009

Following up on our blog post and Brad Bumsted’s article about Pennsylvania having the most legislative staff, I took another look at the…

Media

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Regulation

Pennsylvania’s Failed Economic Development Spending

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 4, 2009

State and local governments are locked in a constant competition to attract and retain businesses.  Unfortunately, instead of addressing a poor business climate and flawed economic policies, they have increasingly…

Commentary

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Regulation

Will Tourism Collapse Without Taxpayer Subsidies?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 29, 2009

Letter sent from the Commonwealth Foundation to Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Tourism Mickey Rowley   Dear Mr. Rowley: I am writing to respond to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office's recent…

Media

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