State Budget

Will the PA “Cost Cutting Commission” Cut Costs?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 21, 2010

The Pennsylvania Senate’s new Cost Study Commission met for the first time on Friday, discussing the cost of the state fleet – which currently maintains 16,000 vehicles, half of…

Media

Read More: Will the PA “Cost Cutting Commission” Cut Costs?

Government Accountability

A Constitional Convention of Crazies?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 7, 2010

Political consultant Larry Ceisler penned an op-ed denouncing a Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention. (Hat Tip: GrassrootsPA) While there are legitimate concerns about a Con Con, Ceisler addresses none of those,…

Media

Read More: A Constitional Convention of Crazies?

Regulation

PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New Borrowing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 17, 2009

While the debate over table games continues, another piece of legislation passed with little debate was the $1.7 billion in borrowing for the state capital budget. HB…

Media

Read More: PA Senate Approves $1.7 Billion in New Borrowing

Government Accountability

Bonusgate Developments and Senate Reforms

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 6, 2009

Tom Barnes of the Post-Gazette notes that the Pennsylvania Senate is outlining a number of new rules, largely related to legislative staff and taxpayer dollars being used to support…

Media

Read More: Bonusgate Developments and Senate Reforms

State Budget

The Totally Different Pennsylvania Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 6, 2009

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Senate decided they were going to go their own way on the state budget, angered at House Democrat’s…

Media

Read More: The Totally Different Pennsylvania Budget Deal

Government Accountability

The Continuing Saga of Corruption and Patronage in Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 24, 2009

Another of former Senator Fumo’s aides was indicted yesterday, for taking contracts from the Pennsylvania Senate, but doing no work – except favors to Sen. Fumo.  Of course, Palermo…

Media

Read More: The Continuing Saga of Corruption and Patronage in Pennsylvania

Regulation

PA Senate Votes to Raise Taxes Now and In the Future

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 17, 2009

The Pennsylvania Senate this afternoon gave their approval to the municipal pension “reform” bill, even after the House stripped out almost all of the weak reforms. The legislation was…

Media

Read More: PA Senate Votes to Raise Taxes Now and In the Future

State Budget

PA Budget Craziness

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 13, 2009

Alright, I’m still trying to figure out what the Pennsylvania House Democrats did to the state budget proposal today in the Appropriations Committee. But here’s the basics: They took…

Media

Read More: PA Budget Craziness

Government Accountability

State Spending Transparency Hearing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 19, 2009

FYI by PLS has a brief summary of a hearing yesterday on proposals to create a state spending transparency for Pennsylvania, with particular attention paid to HB 1460…

Media

Read More: State Spending Transparency Hearing