Regulation

Privatization Great for Washington State

  • May 14, 2013

A year ago this June, the government liquor monopoly ended in Washington state.  Critics of Pennsylvania’s plan to privatize state wine and spirits stores have pointed to Washington as an…

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Taxes & Economy

The Natural Gas Not-A-Tax

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 28, 2011

Yesterday, the Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati released his much anticipated Marcellus shale Not-A-Tax “local impact fee.” The proposal would require drillers to pay a “Base Fee”…

Media

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State Budget

Senate GOP Can Still Protect Taxpayers

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 18, 2009

Earlier this year, state Senate Republicans drew a line in the sand, stating they would not support a budget that: 1) spends more than last fiscal year;  2) includes broad-based…

Commentary

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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…

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Taxes & Economy

Legislators should do their jobs

  • September 26, 2008

The Altoona Mirror takes legislative leaders to task for failing to do their jobs: Senate Republican leaders – President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati and Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi…

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Government Accountability

State bonus probe widens to Senate’s GOP caucus

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 13, 2008

The Bonus-Gate investigation extends to the Senate GOP, the Patriot News reports. Former staffer-turned-lobbyist Mike Long was one recipient whe defended the bonus process: Long, a former…

Media

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GOP gets on The BOX

  • December 14, 2007

House Democratic Majority Leader Bill DeWeese spent some time on The BOX Program with Matt last weekend. Now Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and House Republican…

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Scarnati submits op-ed by Turnpike Commission

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 2, 2007

Frothing at the mouth, President Pro-Tem Joe Scarnati cites the “evil foreign company” argument as to why he won’t allow consideration of a Turnpike lease (even though several…

Media

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