Education

Who’s to Blame for the Rising Costs of Higher Ed?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • February 24, 2010

Rendell’s FY 2010-11 budget funds state related universities at the same level as FY 2009-10 budget. University officials claim they need an increase in state funding to keep tuition…

Media

Read More: Who’s to Blame for the Rising Costs of Higher Ed?

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Bottom-of-the Pack in State Competitiveness

  • February 24, 2010

A recent report by the Beacon Hill Institute, a free-market think-tank out of Suffolk University in Massachusetts, provided even more dismal news on Pennsylvania’s economic climate. According to the…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Bottom-of-the Pack in State Competitiveness

Taxes & Economy

How Do Pennsylvania’s Highways Rank

  • February 24, 2010

The Reason Foundation has been analyzing state highway systems since 1984. This month they released their 18th Annual Highway Report. Overall the Commonwealth ranked 38th for the most efficient…

Media

Read More: How Do Pennsylvania’s Highways Rank

State Budget

Budget Facts 2010: Pennsylvania State Budget Overview

  • February 23, 2010

Pennsylvania faces a projected General Fund tax revenue shortfall of at least $500 million. Governor Rendell proposed a $29 billion General Fund budget for 2010-11, that increases businesses taxes, imposes…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Budget Facts 2010: Pennsylvania State Budget Overview

Regulation

The Trillion Dollar (and then some) Pension Gap

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 23, 2010

The Pew Report on state pensions, finding a $1 trillion unfunded liability nationally, has already received a great deal of attention, so here are just some brief highlights for…

Media

Read More: The Trillion Dollar (and then some) Pension Gap

Taxes & Economy

Rendell Lured to Stimulus Like a Moth to a Flame

  • February 23, 2010

The lure of federal stimulus funds is encouraging Pennsylvania to spend more of state taxpayers’ money as well. Here are three examples: The Commonwealth was awarded $35 million through the…

Media

Read More: Rendell Lured to Stimulus Like a Moth to a Flame

Government Accountability

PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2010

I have often remarked that the exorbitant costs of Pennsylvania legislators’ per diems (see Tribune Review and ABC 27 stories) – that they receive to pay for food…

Media

Read More: PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses

Government Accountability

Lower Legislative Pay = Better Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2010

A new study of state legislative pay and party competition in the American Political Science Review, finds that, in addition to greater party competition, modest pay for legislators leads…

Media

Read More: Lower Legislative Pay = Better Government