Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Not Among Best States for Business

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 17, 2011

Chief Executive Group released its annual Best/Worst States for Business report, bestowing another undesirable state ranking on Pennsylvania. The commonwealth ranked 39th out of the 50 states, dropping seven…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Odd Headline of the Day

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 20, 2010

CNN reports, “Stocks rally to 4-month highs after economists report recession ended in June 2009.” Three comments: Are you surprised to learn the recession ended 15 months…

Media

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State Budget

Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs

  • April 6, 2010

Pennsylvania's latest budget shortfall is the result of a pattern in which state legislators abandon fiscal prudence in "good years" and face spending cuts or tax hikes in down times.

Commentary

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Energy

Natural Gas Severance Tax: Still A Bad Idea

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 23, 2010

In the coming months, debate on a proposed natural gas severance tax will heat up as legislators attempt to pass a balanced budget before June 30. Last year, lawmakers and…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

Onorato’s Economic Plan: Some Good Ideas, Some Bad Ideas

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 13, 2010

Pennsylvania Governor Candidate Dan Onorato outlined his economic development proposals yesterday. He has some good ideas in there, but a lot of the…

Media

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State Budget

PA Business Survey: Bad Budget Deal

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 21, 2009

The Lincoln Institute released its Fall Business Climate Survey for Pennsylvania (mostly surveying small business owners). Click here for results and here for a summary of findings. Not…

Media

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State Budget

This is the Budget We Waited For?

  • October 9, 2009

Plan taxes too much, spends too much, and fails to put Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity Harrisburg, PA – With state budget impasse finally over, Commonwealth Foundation President Matthew…

Press Release

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State Budget

“Big Helicopter” and Big Hollywood

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 3, 2009

While debating their myriad of tax increases (which was eventually approved by the chamber), Pennsylvania House Democrats continued to demonize “Big…

Media

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State Budget

What’s in the PA House Democrats Tax Bill?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 2, 2009

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House Rules Committee approved a “gut-and-replace” amendment to HB 1531 – which had previously been a bill to extend tax relief for military families – which…

Media

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