Government Accountability

Corrupt Courts Refuse Transparency

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 13, 2010

The Scranton Times reports that the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR) is appealing a court ruling extending an exemption to open records to the judiciary branch. (HT…

Media

Read More: Corrupt Courts Refuse Transparency

Taxes & Economy

The Environment Impact of Natural Gas Drilling

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 28, 2010

Concerns about the environment impact of natural gas drilling are well-founded, but often overstated. A common misconception is that the hydraulic fracturing process has contaminated many wells and groundwater.

Media

Read More: The Environment Impact of Natural Gas Drilling

Regulation

Why Taxing Natural Gas Won’t Solve PA Budget Woes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 9, 2010

Here is a letter I sent in to the Scranton Times Tribune (a slightly edited version was printed today) on the proposed natural gas severance tax and the Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Why Taxing Natural Gas Won’t Solve PA Budget Woes

Government Accountability

PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 22, 2010

I have often remarked that the exorbitant costs of Pennsylvania legislators’ per diems (see Tribune Review and ABC 27 stories) – that they receive to pay for food…

Media

Read More: PA Lawmakers Use Per Diems to Buy Houses

Taxes & Economy

Natural Gas Tax Just Another Slush Fund

  • February 1, 2010

Letter in the Scranton Times-Tribune Editor: Those calling for a state tax on natural gas extraction – including Gov. Ed Rendell and The Times-Tribune – use poor logic…

Media

Read More: Natural Gas Tax Just Another Slush Fund

Regulation

The Boscov’s Bailout

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 21, 2008

I am quoted in Brad Vasoli’s Evening Bulletin article on the Boscov’s Bailout (related stories in the Times-Tribune and the Citizen’s Voice). Let me expound upon my…

Media

Read More: The Boscov’s Bailout

Taxes & Economy

Will rejectors regret inaction on turnpike?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 28, 2008

Morning Call editorial blasts lawmakers for failing to even consider a lease deal: Once again, the small-idea, under-achieving Pennsylvania Legislature has let down the people they serve. The…

Media

Read More: Will rejectors regret inaction on turnpike?

Taxes & Economy

Lease it!, says The Times-Tribune

  • September 14, 2008

Editorial from The Times-Tribune makes part of the case for leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike now that the Federal Highway Administration has rejected a key feature of Act 44…

Media

Read More: Lease it!, says The Times-Tribune

Taxes & Economy

Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructure

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 3, 2008

Patriot News editorial notes that the proposed Turnpike lease deal would make PA a model for the nation. It’s not that the public-private partnership concept being pushed…

Media

Read More: Turnpike lease would be model for investing in infrastructure