Health Care

Guide to Harry Reid’s Health Care Bill

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 19, 2009

Yesterday, US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put forth a new, 2,074 page health care reform bill. The Senate is expected to vote on it in the next few days.

Media

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State Budget

Yes, We Really Do Mistrust Lawmakers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 22, 2009

Gerald Prante of the Tax Foundation raises a philosophical question about state spending limits. Namely he wonders, if we don’t trust how legislators spend money now – a…

Media

Read More: Yes, We Really Do Mistrust Lawmakers

Taxes & Economy

Map of State and Local Sales Tax Rates

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 19, 2009

The Tax Foundation has a new map showing sales tax rates by state – including both the state rate and the average local rate. With the local included, Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Map of State and Local Sales Tax Rates

Taxes & Economy

Breakdown of State and Local Government Tax Revenues

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 12, 2009

The Tax Foundation has a new report profiling the percentage of state and local government tax revenues by source for each state.  Here is how Pennsylvania compares (getting a…

Media

Read More: Breakdown of State and Local Government Tax Revenues

Regulation

Torts, Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania’s Prosperity

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 29, 2009

Wrongheaded economic development policies and one of the nation's worst labor climates are serious impediments to Pennsylvania's prosperity. As if those obstacles were not enough, the commonwealth also has saddled…

Commentary

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Property Taxes by State

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2009

The Tax Foundation put out a new map of property taxes by state for owner-occupied homes.  Pennsylvania ranks 11th highest, with the average tax rate of 1.34% of home…

Media

Read More: Property Taxes by State

Taxes & Economy

Two New State Business Climate Rankings

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 25, 2009

The Tax Foundation released their updated State Business Tax Climate Index for FY 2010. In the latest rendition, Pennsylvania ranks 27th overall. Broken down by category the Keystone State…

Media

Read More: Two New State Business Climate Rankings

Health Care

More Thoughts on Obama’s Health Care Speech

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 10, 2009

Here are some poignant comments on Obama’s latest health care speech: Greg Scandlen notes that in Obama’s “29th speech devoted exclusively to health care since he became president” he…

Media

Read More: More Thoughts on Obama’s Health Care Speech

Regulation

Pennsylvania’s Failed Economic Development Spending

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 4, 2009

State and local governments are locked in a constant competition to attract and retain businesses.  Unfortunately, instead of addressing a poor business climate and flawed economic policies, they have increasingly…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Failed Economic Development Spending