Taxes & Economy

Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health

• June 14, 2007

:: Fat Facts of the Week :: Taxpayer-funded handouts to major corporations are just one reason why state government spending is so obese. Consider just four examples of corporate welfare:…

Commentary

Education

Count the Costs of Pre-K Counts

• June 13, 2007

Academic and financial costs of taxpayer-funded preschool questioned, alternatives proposed at news conference HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation joined with a coalition of organizations to call on lawmakers…

Press Release

State Budget

A Diet Plan for an Obese State Government

• May 30, 2007

Commonwealth Foundation launches campaign to “Put Pennsylvania on a Spending Diet” HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation announced the launch of a media campaign to educate Pennsylvanians about the…

Press Release

State Budget

We Need a People’s Budget

• May 9, 2007

Good morning. Let me begin by thanking Chairman Turzai and the members of this committee for the invitation to be with you this morning. We are here today because Governor…

Testimony

Patriot News on Taxpayer Protection Act

• Nathan Benefield
• January 31, 2007

The Patriot News has a short story on the Taxpayer Protection Act in their Inside the Capitol segment, unfortunately leading with “A proposed cap on state spending didn’t…

Media

Government Accountability

The Elections Big Winner: Reform

• Nathan Benefield
• November 13, 2006

Did voters reject Republicans and embrace Democrats in the 2006 elections? Of course; the gains in seats held by Democrats (both nationally and statewide) suggest they did. But the reasons…

Commentary

Government Accountability

House limits access to roll calls during session

• Nathan Benefield
• October 20, 2006

UPDATED: According to Capitolwire.com, access to roll call votes have been restored and The Speaker also wrote the House is exploring ways “to provide the public with real time access…

Media

Health Care

Fighting Universal Health Care

• Nathan Benefield
• October 18, 2006

Coverage of yesterday’s press conference on the concerns about “Cover All Kids” – the Governor’s proposed universal health care coverage for children in the Morning Call. Also from…

Media

Public Union Democracy

What to do About the Transportation Crisis?

• Nathan Benefield
• September 18, 2006

The Pennsylvania Transportation and Funding Reform Commission is currently holding hearings on the funding “crisis” in transportation. From 1995-96 to 2005-06, while inflation increased 28%, transportation spending in the state…

Commentary