Public Union Democracy

PA leads the nation in teacher strikes again

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 10, 2006

Patriot News coverage of teacher strikes data. In 2005, 65% of all teacher strikes occured in Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania school children felt the effects of 13 strikes, compared with…

Media

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Health Care

The 1% Solution

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • August 7, 2006

In the daily travails of state government, it appears the Senate is prepared to take action best described as “self-reform.” According to reports, beginning as early as September, employees of…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Shrinking the Legislature

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 1, 2006

Thank you, Chairman Scarnati, and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the opportunity to testify before you today on the issue of whether or not Pennsylvania should reduce…

Commentary

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State Budget

States Looking to Spending Caps

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 28, 2006

While legislation limiting the growth of state spending in Pennsylvania (the “Taxpayer Fairness Act”) has stalled in the House Rules Committee, at least six states will be having ballot initiatives…

Media

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Regulation

Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 27, 2006

The Brookings Institution released a study on manufacturing jobs lost in the Great Lakes region. The numbers and findings are interesting: many of the nation’s manufacturing jobs “lost” were…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

More Vinsanity

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 25, 2006

A press release from Senator Vince Fumo’s office dismisses any notion that Pennsylvania business taxes are too high, citing select data showing Pennsylvania has merely a mediocre economic record…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

PA Businesses to See Tax Cuts?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 24, 2006

A report released today by The Tax Foundation looks at legislation expected to be voted on by the US House tomorrow on business taxes. This bill (HR 1956) would…

Media

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Regulation

21st Retiring Rep to Profit from Repealed Pay Raise

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 20, 2006

Rock the Capital reports that Rep. Steven Stetler, who announced this week he would be retiring from office in September, will receive a pension increase of over $2,000/year from…

Media

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