Regulation

Pennsylvania Pension Now Faces Billions in Losses

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 1, 2008

The Wall Street Journal has an article on Pennsylvania’s state employee’s pension fund, and its market losses. Noting that “Pennsylvania invested more in hedge funds than any other state…

Media

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Regulation

Spreading wealth to Hollywood

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 28, 2008

Cross Posted at Capitol Domes   Giving handouts to Hollywood has become an en vogue method for state governments to stimulate economic growth. According to the Heartland…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

PA Congressional Delegation Ratings on Worker Freedom

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 26, 2008

The Alliance for Worker Freedom has their new scorecard on the 2nd session of the 110th Congress.  Key votes include a number of expansion of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage laws…

Media

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Regulation

Why government spending is no economic stimulus

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 24, 2008

In my commentary today, I tackle the idea of “economic development” spending as a stimulus for economic growth, and contrast that with lower taxes. More detailed analysis of…

Media

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Regulation

Government Can’t Cure Our Economic Woes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 23, 2008

Pennsylvania is facing a deep shortfall in revenue which, through October, stands at $565 million. Putting this in perspective, the shortfall in 2002-03—which led to increases in the state…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Small Businesses in the Pennsylvania Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 21, 2008

The Small Business Administration has published their latest profiles of small businesses in the US and each of the 50 states. Some of the data is a bid old…

Media

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Education

We’re Number One! In Teacher Strikes…still

  • November 21, 2008

The Allegheny Institute, one of our sister think tanks, posted a brief about teacher strikes. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania maintains its reputation of being the “teacher strike capital” of the world.

Media

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State Budget

Budget shortfall, but money (and giant checks) for pork is plentiful

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 20, 2008

Even though Pennsylvania is facing a massive budget shortfall, don’t expect Governor Rendell to stop touring the state handing out taxpayer funds. Yesterday, he announced $44 million in “investments”…

Media

Read More: Budget shortfall, but money (and giant checks) for pork is plentiful