Criminal Justice Reform

Why Pennsylvania Needs Probation Reform

• Brandon Van Dyck
• December 15, 2021

Pennsylvania has an overburdened probation system that delivers substandard results. The commonwealth’s recidivism rate is 41 percent—one of the highest in the nation.

Backgrounder

Education

Testimony: Role of Charter Schools in Education

• Nathan Benefield
• October 13, 2016

Testimony

Regulation

Growing Pennsylvania’s Economy

• Nathan Benefield
• June 15, 2009

A coalition of business groups released their proposals aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s economic climate. Among the top of their list were state spending limits, lower business taxes, health care reform,…

Media

Education

PA School Districts to Get 12% Increase in Support

• Nathan Benefield
• May 12, 2009

Despite all the whining about budget cuts from the Rendell Administration (even though Rendell demanded there be “no whining”), Pennsylvania school districts are set to get substantially more…

Media

State Budget

PA House Dems to Introduce Budget

• Nathan Benefield
• May 1, 2009

Dwight Evans, chair of the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee, is scheduled to introduce the 2009-10 budget legislation “using the Rendell budget proposal as the basis.” They are also estimating…

Media

Taxes & Economy

200 Economists Against a Stimulus

• Nathan Benefield
• January 28, 2009

In defiance of President Obama’s proclamation that every agrees we need more government spending to “simulate” the economy, the Cato Institute has put together a list of 200 economists…

Media

Regulation

Where to Find WAMs

• Nathan Benefield
• December 9, 2008

I have gotten a couple of requests today for lists of WAMs and other recent spending. We put together a list of recent grants the Governor has awarded/announced in…

Media

Public Union Democracy

PSEA uses union dues to support Obama

• Nathan Benefield
• October 29, 2008

Even though 60% of teachers’ union members consider themselves conservative, the PSEA – the union for most Pennsylvania school districts – is using union dues to support the Obama-Biden…

Media

Regulation

No Smoking Sign Mandate

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2008

Little noticed in the debate over Pennsylvania’s new smoking ban was that it also included a smoking sign mandate. The Commonwealth Foundation got our notice (along with a…

Media