Government Accountability

Reforming the Budget Process in Pennsylvania

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 22, 2009

In the political world, 2009 will be remembered as the year that Pennsylvania went longer than any other state without a budget.  The Commonwealth went months past the June 30th…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Scare Tactics in the Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 22, 2009

John Baer writes – albeit a bit late – on how politicians use scare tactics, i.e. the “Washington Monument Ploy” to…

Media

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Health Care

When a Tax Isn’t a Tax

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2009

In a post this morning, I criticized PA Senate Republicans for their loose definition of “broad-based taxes” with an emphasis on “broad…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

When Did you Stop Beating Your Wife?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2009

In a vote last week, the Pennsylvania House voted to increase the marriage license fee from $3 to $28 – only the increase was to be used for “domestic…

Media

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State Budget

What the Heck is a “Broad-Based Tax”?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2009

Last week Matt Brouillette called out Senate Republicans for moving toward a budget deal with higher taxes, backing off their line in the…

Media

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Government Accountability

Blog Roundup

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2009

The Commonwealth Foundation has made it around the blogs this weekend; here are some recent citations: Tony Phyrillas, PA Water Cooler, and Pennsylvania Guardian give us some…

Media

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State Budget

Taxes and Revenue in Pennsylvania Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 19, 2009

Gov. Rendell and legislative leaders from three caucuses (House Republicans were not involved) announced a deal on the Pennsylvania state budget.  Via PLS and Capitolwire (subscription), here…

Media

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State Budget

Senate GOP Can Still Protect Taxpayers

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 18, 2009

Earlier this year, state Senate Republicans drew a line in the sand, stating they would not support a budget that: 1) spends more than last fiscal year;  2) includes broad-based…

Commentary

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Regulation

PA Senate Votes to Raise Taxes Now and In the Future

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 17, 2009

The Pennsylvania Senate this afternoon gave their approval to the municipal pension “reform” bill, even after the House stripped out almost all of the weak reforms. The legislation was…

Media

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