Public Union Democracy
Our Collision Course with Pa.’s Pension Iceberg
As Pennsylvania continues approaching the public pension iceberg at full speed, how can we avoid a collision? Simply put, through reforms that mirror steps taken by the private sector years…
Commentary
Read More: Our Collision Course with Pa.’s Pension IcebergRegulation
Is Gov. Wolf Ignoring Credit Rating Agencies?
Last week, Gov. Wolf once again resorted to defending his latest budget vetoes citing the fear of credit rating downgrades. Oddly, he seems to miss that pension reform and…
Media
Read More: Is Gov. Wolf Ignoring Credit Rating Agencies?State Budget
Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget Crisis
Pennsylvania has a prioritization problem. Recent controversies about the State Racing Fund and the legislature’s reserve fund provide two examples of why Pennsylvania consistently wrestles with budget crises. Auditor General…
Media
Read More: Lack of Priorities Triggers PA Budget CrisisEducation
Pension Reform Benefits Teachers & Taxpayers
Standard & Poor’s recently issued a stern warning that they would lower Pennsylvania’s bond rating—making it more expensive for the state to borrow money—unless they “adopt meaningful pension reform.” This…
Commentary
Read More: Pension Reform Benefits Teachers & TaxpayersState Budget
State Budget Déjà Vu
Ceremonies in Punxsutawney have come and gone, but every year Groundhog Day reminds me of the film of the same name—in which Bill Murray lives the same day over and over…
Commentary
Read More: State Budget Déjà VuEducation
Want a 70% Approval Rating?
Let’s be real. One of the things that often gets CF into trouble is that from the outside, it seems like we never need to worry about whether the free-market…
Media
Read More: Want a 70% Approval Rating?Taxes & Economy
Tough Questions for Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
The PA Turnpike Commission (PTC) testified before the Senate Transportation Committee during this summer’s special session on transportation funding. Most senators on the committee expressed concern on several aspects regarding…
Media
Read More: Tough Questions for Pennsylvania Turnpike CommissionTaxes & Economy
Indiana newspaper reflects on toll road lease
Editorial from The Indianapolis Star citing Pennsylvania’s consideration of leasing the Turnpike. Here’s the last five paragraphs with some of [OUR COMMENTARY] included: Indiana’s lease has enabled…
Media
Read More: Indiana newspaper reflects on toll road leaseTaxes & Economy
Indiana has benefited from toll road lease
An anonymous comment on a recent post accused me of not mentioning the Indiana Toll Road deal because it was “not so good, a bad move”. Of course, we…
Media
Read More: Indiana has benefited from toll road lease