Education

PA 12th in ranking of charter school laws

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 25, 2008

The Center for Education Reform issued a ranking of charter school laws by state. Pennsylvania earns a respectable 12th, earning a ‘B’, but has room for improvement.

Media

Read More: PA 12th in ranking of charter school laws

Taxes & Economy

Gas Taxes By State

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 25, 2008

Mark J. Perry posted this map showing gas taxes by state. Note Pennsylvania is a red state on this map. The data source is API…

Media

Read More: Gas Taxes By State

Leasing the Turnpike: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

  • May 23, 2008

Tthe Commonwealth Foundation and the Los Angeles-based Reason Foundation released a policy brief entitled Leasing the Turnpike: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers to help enhance and enlighten the current transportation…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Leasing the Turnpike: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Climate Change Bill to Hurt PA Economy

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 23, 2008

The Heritage Foundation has a new report on the economic costs of the Lieberman–Warner climate change bill. They have also provided an analysis for each state. The estimated…

Media

Read More: Climate Change Bill to Hurt PA Economy

Lease the Turnpike? A real no-brainer

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 21, 2008

Pennsylvania lawmakers have the unique opportunity to allow taxpayers to earn interest rather than pay it. On May 19, Gov. Ed Rendell announced that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania could receive…

Commentary

Read More: Lease the Turnpike? A real no-brainer

Regulation

No Extra Money in the Fund

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • May 20, 2008

"There is no extra money in the fund" for a pension Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA). That’s the analysis from the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS), not the Commonwealth Foundation…

Commentary

Read More: No Extra Money in the Fund

Medicaid Money Laundering

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 19, 2008

Wall Street Journal reviews how states are taking advantage of the Medicaid system to get more money from the federal government (i.e. ripping off taxpayers). Here is a…

Media

Read More: Medicaid Money Laundering

Government Accountability

Pa. lawmakers fill up at your expense

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 19, 2008

Philadelphia Inquirer article covers the price of lawmakers buying gas at taxpayer expense. There is also a list of who drives taxpayer subsidized, non-hybrid SUVs (i.e. gas guzzlers).

Media

Read More: Pa. lawmakers fill up at your expense

Nation’s Newest School Choice Program

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 16, 2008

Georgia enacted new legislation that would create a tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations. Much like Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit, the Georgia plan allows…

Media

Read More: Nation’s Newest School Choice Program