Energy

Alternative Energy Mandates

• November 18, 2009

Pennsylvania law requires utility companies to produce a certain percentage of their electricity from alternative sources in future years. Proposed legislation would increase this percentage and require new carbon sequestration…

Fact Sheet

Government Accountability

Auditor General Says No-Bid Contracts are Costing State Taxpayers

• Nathan Benefield
• October 21, 2009

Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner issued a scathing rebuke of the Rendell administration’s use of no-bid contracts, specifically in relation to over a half-billion dollars given to Deloitte for…

Media

Regulation

WAMs Strike Again – Allentown Gets Hockey Rink

• October 20, 2009

Despite the numerous studies concluding subsidized sport arenas provide little to no overall economic benefits to communities – Allentown is getting a minor league hockey rink built with at least …

Media

State Budget

This is the Budget We Waited For?

• October 9, 2009

Plan taxes too much, spends too much, and fails to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity Harrisburg, PA – With state budget impasse finally over, Commonwealth Foundation President Matthew…

Press Release

Regulation

More Info on What WAMS are in PA Budget

• Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
• October 7, 2009

The news service Capitolwire (subscription) has new information about the debate on WAMs in the budget, including a secret memo – disclaimed by all sides – explaining which…

Media

State Budget

House Democrats Help Identify More WAMs

• Nathan Benefield
• October 6, 2009

PA House Democrat leader Todd Eachus and Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans sent a letter to Gov. Rendell decrying the inclusion of $12 million in WAMs in the latest Senate…

Media

Regulation

Why State Government Shouldn’t “Invest” Taxpayer Money

• Nathan Benefield
• October 1, 2009

There have been countless examples of failed corporate welfare under Governor Rendell, and Governor Ridge before him. The latest example coming from Lebanon, PA: Lebanon Daily News, August 14,…

Media

State Budget

ACORN Got $200,000 from PA Taxpayers

• Nathan Benefield
• September 17, 2009

Given all the recent scandals surrounding ACORN, the vote to defund them in the US Senate, and the Census severing ties with ACORN, it raises an interesting…

Media

Keystone Opportunity Zones Fail to Deliver Economic Prosperity

• July 13, 2009

On Thursday, the Legislative Budget and Finance committee heard testimony evaluating the effectiveness of the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program. The KOZ is an “economic revitalization” program that provides…

Media