House Should Act Immediately on Spending Transparency Bill

  • June 4, 2009

Harrisburg, PA — With Pennsylvania facing a $3 billion General Fund Budget deficit, the Commonwealth Foundation today urged the House to act immediately on spending transparency legislation adopted this week…

Press Release

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Public Union Democracy

Action Alert on Pennsylvania’s Prevailing Wage Law

  • June 4, 2009

The Manufacturer & Business Association sent an action alert yesterday on Sen. Brubaker’s proposal to place a three-year moratorium on Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage requirement (SB 695). Click…

Media

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Regulation

New Study of Film Tax Credit Ignores Economics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 4, 2009

The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee issued a report on the state’s film tax credit, concluding that the $75 million program generates over $500 million in economic activity…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pennsylvanians Deserve Open Budget Debate

  • Elizabeth Stelle, Nathan Benefield
  • June 3, 2009

With the approach of June 30th and the end of the state’s fiscal year comes the annual argument in Harrisburg over Pennsylvania’s budget. With Senate Republicans having passed a spending…

Commentary

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Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: June 2009

  • June 2, 2009

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue released the May revenue collections showing state General Fund revenues are $2.84 billion short for the fiscal year to date. Governor Rendell had estimated…

Press Release

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Government Accountability

PA Senate Passes Spending Transparency

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 2, 2009

Legislation which we have discussed many times on this blog (see previous posts here and here, and Elizabeth Bryan’s commentary here) to create an online database…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Budget Deficit Reaches $2.8 Billion

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 1, 2009

The latest report from the PA Department of Revenue, through the end of May, indicate that Pennsylvania’s General Fund revenue shortfall has now reached $2.8 billion for the fiscal…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Government Intervention Prolongs Recessions

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • May 29, 2009

Recessions are a tough time for all—many lose their jobs, family incomes shrink, and budgets are squeezed. But recessions are natural and, in the long-run, foster a stronger economy. It…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Transparency Needed in Pennsylvania Budget Debate

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 29, 2009

ABC 27 has a news story and video on proposed legislation that would create an online portal and database of state spending in Pennsylvania. What is most disappointing…

Media

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