Criminal Justice Reform

Policy Memo: Principles for State Budget

• Nathan Benefield
• June 14, 2017

With the 2017 budget, lawmakers have an opportunity to double down on the idea of reinventing government and adopt meaningful reforms that will save taxpayers money, stimulate economic growth, and improve services…

Memo

Regulation

Making Sense of Pension Reform Legislation

• June 6, 2017

Yesterday, the state Senate passed pension reform legislation—Senate Bill 1—which begins to transform the state’s pension systems into a sustainable model for public employees and taxpayers. We have already…

Media

Regulation

Senate Prepares New Pension Reform Bill

• Elizabeth Stelle
• March 16, 2017

The state Senate is preparing to introduce a pension reform bill nearly identical to the compromise bill that fell three House votes short last fall.  Senator Pat Browne and Majority…

Media

Public Union Democracy

News Release: Paycheck Protection Passes State Senate

• February 8, 2017

Legislation Would End Use of Taxpayer Resources to Aid Political Activity February 8, 2017, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The State Senate today passed paycheck protection legislation, SB 166, which would end the…

Press Release

Public Union Democracy

Paycheck Protection Passes Senate Committee

• Nathan Benefield
• January 31, 2017

The Senate State Government Committee today passed paycheck protection, which ends the special privilege that lets government union leaders use public resources to collect money earmarked for politics.  Since…

Media

Regulation

House Votes to Prevent Further Harm to the Vaping Community

• October 18, 2016

Gov. Wolf and the legislature clearly erred in their attempt to raise revenue on the backs of small vape shop business owners like Dori, Chris, Scottie, and…

Media

Regulation

What’s in the Senate Budget?

• Nathan Benefield
• June 29, 2016

Earlier today the state Senate passed an amended version of a House budget proposal, which included the largest spending increase in a decade. The House must now agree to the Senate's changes before sending…

Media

Senate’s Watered-Down Wine Plan: A Missed Opportunity

• December 10, 2015

Last night, the Senate Law and Justice Committee advanced legislation making modest changes to Pennsylvania's irrational alcohol laws. The good: Limited wine expansion. Establishments with a restaurant or…

Media

State Budget

Senate Budget Hides Millions in ‘Walking-Around Money’

• December 9, 2015

Senate Budget Hides Millions in ‘Walking-Around Money’ Budget Plan Flush with Slush Fund Increases December 9, 2015, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The state Senate’s $30.8 billion budget plan rushed through Monday…

Press Release