Taxes & Economy

Two New State Business Climate Rankings

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2009

The Tax Foundation released their updated State Business Tax Climate Index for FY 2010. In the latest rendition, Pennsylvania ranks 27th overall. Broken down by category the Keystone State…

Media

Read More: Two New State Business Climate Rankings

Education

Will Lawmakers Put Hollywood Before School Children?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 24, 2009

Governor Rendell and three legislative caucuses are kicking low-income children out of their classrooms to fund handout to Big Hollywood studios. This is beyond bad policy – it’s blatant…

Media

Read More: Will Lawmakers Put Hollywood Before School Children?

Education

Reform, Not More Spending, Key to College Affordability

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 24, 2009

This year's budget debate has generated several silly schemes, including a few related to higher education funding. But Gov. Rendell's proposed video poker tax and  House Democrats' ploy to move university appropriations off-budget do…

Commentary

Read More: Reform, Not More Spending, Key to College Affordability

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

Government Accountability

How did the PA Budget Process Get So Broken?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2009

Dale Davenport had an excellent editorial in the Patriot over the weekend, noting how annual budgeting and the move to a full-time, professional legislature altereed Pennsylvania’s state budget forever: …

Media

Read More: How did the PA Budget Process Get So Broken?

State Budget

Understanding the Single Sales Factor

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2009

Philly.com Blogger Ben Waxman has a post about moving Pennsylvania to a single-sales factor on corporate income taxes, calling it a “big tax break for corporations”, based on…

Media

Read More: Understanding the Single Sales Factor