Taxes & Economy

PA Mayors Facing Budget Crunch – Whose Fault Is It?

  • January 20, 2010

Pennsylvania mayors have voiced their frustrations with public sector unions forcing counties to pay higher wages even as they face budget constraints. Inevitably, that has led to higher taxes,…

Media

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Public Union Democracy

Pittsburgh Prevailing Wage Proposal Still on Table

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 11, 2010

The Pittsburgh City Council is once again considering imposing a prevailing wage rule on workers in city-subsidized buildings. (HT to Grassroots PA). In contrast to what the article…

Media

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Government Accountability

Capitol Cafeteria Another Rendell Sweetheart Contract

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 31, 2009

While some have pointed to the rodent-poo filled cafeteria at the Pennsylvania state capitol as a failure of the free market (as a private firm…

Media

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Government Accountability

CF Blog Roundup

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 23, 2009

Here are some recent mention of Commonwealth Foundation in state and national blogs.   Michelle Malkin uses our research in a post about “slacker mandates” Pennsylvania Guardian links to…

Media

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Education

Following Our Bad Example: The Tuition Tax Idea Spreads

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 21, 2009

The consideration of a tuition tax is appealing to populations beyond Pennsylvania as cities look to prop up budgets.  Leave it to California to be the first to jump on…

Media

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Regulation

Taxpayers Fund Defense of Gaming Board Employees

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 18, 2009

As table game legislation inches towards final approval another reason to doubt the integrity and fiscal responsibility of the PA Gaming Control board has come to light. The Gaming Control…

Media

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Energy

Five Threats to Pennsylvania’s Prosperity

  • December 16, 2009

Pennsylvania has long been one of the most economically stagnant states in the nation. For the period 1991-2008, the Commonwealth ranked 45th in job growth, 46th in personal income growth,…

Commentary

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Education

Higher Taxes and Tuition Coming for PA College Students

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 11, 2009

The Tribune Review reports Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is continuing to threaten a tax on tuition, attempting to use a jedi mind trick to persuade universities to cough up…

Media

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Education

Pittsburgh Tuition Tax Podcast

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 1, 2009

Elizabeth Bryan and I discuss the proposed tuition tax in Pittsburgh in a podcast. Joining us for part of the conversation is Aaron Gross, a student…

Media

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