Regulation

Pennsylvania Must Control Compensation Costs

  • February 22, 2016

The soaring costs of public employee compensation, if left unchecked, could aggravate Pennsylvania’s financial troubles. The growth in employee benefits, which have skyrocketed since 2006, is driving this upward trend…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Must Control Compensation Costs

Regulation

Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each

  • February 22, 2016

Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each Benefit Costs Tripled Since 2000 February 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As Gov. Wolf calls for a record-high $80 billion…

Press Release

Read More: Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each

State Budget

Wolf’s Policies Send Pennsylvanians Packing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 19, 2016

Last year, we lost one person to another state every 12.5 minutes—a net migration of 41,600 residents, gone. That’s nearly the entire population of York, Gov. Wolf’s hometown. Ironically, Wolf…

Commentary

Read More: Wolf’s Policies Send Pennsylvanians Packing

Taxes & Economy

The Fair Share Fallacy

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 18, 2016

What is the natural gas industry's “fair share” of taxes? The answer depends on the calendar year. An analysis from the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) finds the current “impact fee” is effectively a 5.5…

Media

Read More: The Fair Share Fallacy

Education

Taxpayer-Funded Union Politics in Philadelphia

  • James Paul
  • February 18, 2016

It's no secret that the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) plucks teachers out of the classroom to work as full-time union operatives. These individuals are known as ghost teachers—and their…

Media

Read More: Taxpayer-Funded Union Politics in Philadelphia

Education

State Supremes Strike Down Charter Caps

  • James Paul
  • February 17, 2016

Pennsylvania’s legislature granted extraordinary powers to Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission (SRC) when they created the body in 2001. Tasked with shoring up the district’s finances, the SRC was authorized to suspend…

Media

Read More: State Supremes Strike Down Charter Caps

State Budget

One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want to Move Away

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 17, 2016

Residents in states with high taxes to want to move out, according to a recent Gallup poll. This includes 33 percent of Pennsylvania residents.  This shouldn't be a shocker—Pennsylvania families…

Media

Read More: One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want to Move Away

State Budget

One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want Out

  • February 17, 2016

One-Third of Pa. Residents Want Out High Taxes Driving Thousands of Pennsylvanians Across State Lines February 17, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—One-third of Pennsylvanians would rather move to another state than…

Press Release

Read More: One-Third of Pennsylvanians Want Out

Taxes & Economy

Press Pause on Clean Power Plan

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Gordon Tomb
  • February 16, 2016

In a historic move, the US Supreme Court stayed the EPA's Clean Power Plan, otherwise known as Obama's energy tax or stealth cap and trade. The court’s actions halt implementation…

Media

Read More: Press Pause on Clean Power Plan