Education

Union Politicking Shows Need for Mary’s Law

• Gina Diorio
• August 4, 2015

Political mailers supporting candidates are par for the course during elections—unless those mailers are sent by government unions and funded with members’ dues. Then, they’re illegal. But that didn’t stop…

Media

Public Union Democracy

The Elephant in Gov. Wolf’s Reception Room

• Nathan Benefield
• August 4, 2015

A few recent articles and editorials have directed attention to political contributions by gas drillers, while ignoring a far larger and more powerful interest group—government unions. The fact is, political spending…

Media

Education

Truth Lacking on ‘Schools That Teach’ Tour

• Nathan Benefield
• August 3, 2015

Gov. Wolf’s 'Schools That Teach' public relations tour and statewide ad campaigns supporting him aren’t telling voters the truth about the budget impasse or the governor's tax proposal.

Commentary

State Budget

Which States Have the Biggest Tax Increases?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 30, 2015

Previously, we blogged on how Gov. Wolf’s tax proposal raises more revenue than the tax proposals in the 49 other states combined. To put this another way, Wolf’s $4.6 billion tax increase is nearly $4 billion more…

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State Budget

When Will Gov. Wolf Compromise?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 28, 2015

My letter to the editor in the Times Leader today takes Gov. Wolf to task for claiming to compromise, while still insisting on his sales and income tax increases—the largest tax…

Media

Taxes & Economy

Wolf Truth Squad: The Dirty Dozen

• Nathan Benefield
• July 23, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf is touring the state, touting an energy tax for education—while omitting several important facts.  He’s not mentioning that a severance tax will hurt real people with…

Media

Taxes & Economy

A Severance Tax “Like Other States”? Not so fast

• Nathan Benefield
• July 17, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf and special interest groups continue to insist Pennsylvania needs to enact a severance tax because “other states have one.” This, of course, ignores the fact that Pennsylvania…

Media

State Budget

Harrisburg is Ignoring the Biggest Budget Buster

• July 17, 2015

Pop quiz: What’s the largest spending increase in Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposal? You might assume education, as the governor has repeatedly insisted the state must reinvest in public schools.

Commentary

Wolf Wrong About Pensions & Downgrades

• Nathan Benefield
• July 14, 2015

Over the past week, Gov. Tom Wolf has been defending his vetoes of the state budget, pension reform, and liquor privatization, noting that rating agencies have been downgrading Pennsylvania’s…

Media