Welfare

Even Big Government Advocates Understand the Welfare Trap

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 6, 2012

Big government lobbyists and CF don’t agree on much with welfare, but funnily enough, even they acknowledge that Pennsylvania’s welfare system keeps people in poverty. It [a food…

Media

Read More: Even Big Government Advocates Understand the Welfare Trap

Taxes & Economy

Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 3, 2012

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has updated their employment data by state through the end of 2011 (subject to revision). Looking at December job data (“not seasonally adjusted”) over…

Media

Read More: Largest Growth in Pennsylvania Private Sector Jobs Since 1999

Criminal Justice Reform

Is State Corrections Spending Sustainable?

  • February 2, 2012

The chart below shows the unsustainable growth in Pennsylvania state corrections spending and inmate population. The criminal justice system’s goal shouldn’t be to simply lock up as many people…

Media

Read More: Is State Corrections Spending Sustainable?

Regulation

Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • February 2, 2012

As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners…

Commentary

Read More: Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?

Education

Happy Digital Learning Day

  • Priya Brannick
  • February 1, 2012

Today is national Digital Learning Day, during which groups across the country will commemorate how technology is changing education for the better. So what exactly IS digital learning? Digital…

Media

Read More: Happy Digital Learning Day

Criminal Justice Reform

Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & Crime

  • February 1, 2012

Change is on the horizon for Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections – now the third-largest state agency in the General Fund budget – which along with state debt, pensions…

Media

Read More: Criminal Justice Reforms to Reduce Spending & Crime

Regulation

Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a Cracker

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2012

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing a special tax deal to attract a “cracker” plant to the state. The proposed Shell cracker—which breaks down natural gas…

Media

Read More: Corporate Welfare Not Needed to Get a Cracker

Education

Not a Joke: Learn from Louisiana

  • Charles Mitchell
  • January 31, 2012

Here in Pennsylvania, we like to think we’re better than states like Louisiana.  Those folks used to have slaves, but our founder was a Quaker.  They’re poor, but we’re rich. …

Media

Read More: Not a Joke: Learn from Louisiana