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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Taxes & Economy

The “Facts” on Food Stamps

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • January 31, 2012

City Paper contributor Daniel Denvir tries to diminish the impact of our Philadelphia Inquirer column on food stamps by offering “facts” in rebuttal. Unfortunately, most of these “facts”…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Debunking Severance Tax Rhetoric

  • January 30, 2012

Here’s my letter to the editor in the Public Opinion responding to Matthew Major’s fact-deficient editorial on drilling: Matthew Major’s editorial on corporate welfare and best drilling policies…

Media

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