Taxes & Economy

Marcellus Shale Powering Job Growth

March 1, 2010

TMK-IPSCO, an oil-and-gas pipe maker, recently announced its plan to build a new manufacturing facility roughly 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, just over the Ohio state line. The new…

Media

Should the Turnpike Commission Toll I-80?

Nathan Benefield
January 26, 2010

It’s been 88 days since the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission resubmitted its application to toll Interstate 80 (after being denied twice). We’re told that the Federal Highway Administration will soon be…

Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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