Taxes & Economy

Lawmakers Should Read ALL Commonwealth Foundation Research

  • October 7, 2010

In a recent op-ed, Sen. Scarnati and Sen. Pileggi defended the Senate’s recent actions after a Lincoln Institute column described them as “leftist”. While the Senators cite CF’s research…

Media

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Government Accountability

Severance Tax Legislation: The Process Stinks Too

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 29, 2010

The Pennsylvania House amended legislation to impose a severance tax on natural gas last night, and will likely vote on the bill tonight. We wrote yesterday about the merits…

Media

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Government Accountability

I&R: Our Inalienable Right to Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 22, 2010

It is clear our government will not reform itself.  Article I, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution recognizes the right of the citizens to "alter, reform or abolish their government…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Conklin Would Serve as LG and State Rep

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 19, 2010

If the results hold, and they remain extremely close, Scott Conklin would be the Democrat nominee for Lieutenant Governor and for reelection to his PA House seat. Conklin recently promised…

Media

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Government Accountability

What Would a PA Constitutional Convention Include?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 19, 2010

At the PA Leadership Conference, my former colleague, and now Executive Director of the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania, Joe Sterns touted the need for a state Constitutional Convention. In…

Media

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Government Accountability

An Annual or Biennial Pennsylvania Budget?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 22, 2010

Cross Posted at The Triadvocate House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) argues that “a two-year budget is impractical in our modern world” and that the current annual budget cycle…

Media

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Government Accountability

PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2010

I have often remarked that the exorbitant costs of Pennsylvania legislators’ per diems (see Tribune Review and ABC 27 stories) – that they receive to pay for food…

Media

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Government Accountability

More Evidence for Term Limits

  • December 29, 2009

State Rep. Bryan Lentz, a Democrat from Delaware County, has provided the latest evidence that term limits are very healthy for representative democracies. First elected to the state House of…

Media

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Government Accountability

Full Time Legislator, Part Time County Councilman?!?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 11, 2009

Capitolwire (subscription) is reporting that State Representative Mario Civera (R- Delaware), who was recently elected to the Delaware County Council, is now rethinking resigning, and planning both to stay…

Media

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