State Budget

The façade of Pennsylvania’a state budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2009

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a story on how state taxpayer funding is available for business façades. The real façade is that the state budget is “cut to the…

Media

Read More: The façade of Pennsylvania’a state budget

Education

Lesson from Pittsburgh: Low standards Hurt Students

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 8, 2009

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article covers how the Pittsburgh Public Schools administration is trying to defend its policy of a 50% minimum grade (HT GrassrootsPA), But…

Media

Read More: Lesson from Pittsburgh: Low standards Hurt Students

Taxes & Economy

No tax increases

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 9, 2008

President Pro Tem (and now Pennsylvania Lt. Governor, though the former role has more relevance) Joe Scarnati has take a strong stance against any tax increase in the Pittsburgh…

Media

Read More: No tax increases

Government Accountability

Open government should save taxpayers, not cost them

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 6, 2008

The Tribune Review has a scathing editorial about Governor Rendell’s decision to charge citizens for the cost of retrieving open records about the government. In contrast, consider Texas,…

Media

Read More: Open government should save taxpayers, not cost them

Regulation

Renewing the Call for Pension Refom

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 26, 2008

Deb Erdley has a story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on pension funds for public school employees and state workers, in light of a PSBA plan for reform, recent losses…

Media

Read More: Renewing the Call for Pension Refom

Taxes & Economy

Bailout execs get bonus billions

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 13, 2008

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has a story on how executives of firms getting money from the financial bailout are also getting large bonuses (more at Beyond Bailouts). Personally, I…

Media

Read More: Bailout execs get bonus billions

Health Care

Medicaid reform: For the poor and the poor taxpayer

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 12, 2008

Cross-Posted at Capital Domes The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently looked at the looming budget shortfall and its potential impact on Medicaid spending. The legislature couldn’t simply…

Media

Read More: Medicaid reform: For the poor and the poor taxpayer

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania House and Senate Results

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2008

Based on elections results from the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Tribune Review: Republicans pick up one seat in the PA Senate.  Their current majority will be 29-20, with…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania House and Senate Results