Education

Is Our Kids Learning?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2006

Following multiple reports on student test scores, much has been made about how well Pennsylvania students are performing. In August, Governor Rendell delighted in the results from the PSSA—the state’s…

Commentary

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Regulation

For Sale: Harrisburg Senators (No, Not Those Senators)

  • October 1, 2006

In Pennsylvania and across the United States, taxpayers don't need to look very hard to find examples of wasteful, unconstitutional, or just plain wrongheaded government spending decisions. One of the…

Commentary

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Regulation

PA Pension Plans Underfunded

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 26, 2006

Pennsylvania’s public pension plans are facing a potential crisis, according to a Report from the State Auditor. According to the Auditor General: “The General Assembly and the governor should…

Media

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Government Accountability

The Incumbents We Need

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 26, 2006

Pennsylvania’s 2006 elections will go down in the history books as one in which citizens overturned the apple cart of many incumbent state legislators. While many career politicians are already…

Commentary

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Health Care

States could be overwhelmed by health care burden

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2006

AP Story on how the cost of health care plans for retired state workers will be enormous across the nation, as preliminary numbers (required by new GASB rules) roll…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

The Estimated Impact of the Swann Tax Cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2006

Executive Summary Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann has proposed a number of changes to state tax rates. This analysis focuses on four major components of that proposal—namely reductions in the…

Fact Sheet

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Government Accountability

Pa. courts say judges’ pay will rise with feds

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 23, 2006

AP Report that court adminstrators say PA judges pay are now tied to federal judges. While this differs from my reading of the court ruling on cost-of-living-adjustments, and…

Media

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Regulation

The worst bet you can make

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2006

MSN Money article comparing state lotteries to each other and to other gambling ventures. You’re best bets are “skill games” like poker and blackjack, roulette and slots tend to…

Media

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