Government Accountability

Principles Worth Fighting For

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 10, 2006

Though I have watched Braveheart several dozen times, last weekend was the first time that the blood, violence, and men in kilts reminded me of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Unfortunately,…

Commentary

Read More: Principles Worth Fighting For

Regulation

Gaming board raking in fat paychecks

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 10, 2006

Even without slot machines up and running in Pennsylvania, there have already been some big winners from gambling – the Gaming Control Board. The Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice reports that…

Media

Read More: Gaming board raking in fat paychecks

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

Read More: PA leads the nation in teacher strikes again

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

Read More: The 1% Solution

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

Read More: Shrinking the Legislature

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

Read More: States Looking to Spending Caps

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

Read More: Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region

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

Read More: More Vinsanity

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

Read More: PA Businesses to See Tax Cuts?