Opposing Reform for Opposing Reform’s sake

• Nathan Benefield
• October 23, 2007

Yesterday the House voted to water down an ethics bill, which would have appointed half the members of the ethics committee by random, instead of by leadership appoints (read the…

Media

Government Accountability

Campaign Finance Limits & Public Funding

• August 15, 2007

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation that would limit campaign contributions and would allow for taxpayer financing of gubernatorial campaigns. This legislation is based on the “Clean Election” model passed by…

Fact Sheet

Government Accountability

Pat Toomey Joins Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Foundation

• August 6, 2007

HARRISBURG, PA — The Commonwealth Foundation—Pennsylvania’s free-market public policy think tank—announced the election of former Pennsylvania Congressman Pat Toomey to its Board of Directors. “We are honored to add…

Press Release

U.S. House votes against tolls on I-80

• Nathan Benefield
• July 25, 2007

The US House approved an amendment to the transportation appropriation bill that would block tolling of I-80. The House has since passed the bill since Brett Lieberman broke the…

Media

Turnpike Wheeling and Dealing

• Nathan Benefield
• July 18, 2007

Brad Bumsted’s assessment of the Turnpike Commission’s deal to expand their power and protect their fiefdom. The Turnpike Commission may have gotten enough House votes for their borrowing and…

Media

Updates on the Budget Negotiations

• Nathan Benefield
• June 28, 2007

The AP’s Marc Levy on the behind-the-scenes budget negotiations. Of particular interest is this: The House Republican leader, Sam Smith of Jefferson County, said that if budget negotiations…

Media

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

House rejects series of reform measures

• Nathan Benefield
• March 13, 2007

Mark Scolforo of the AP on the reforms that won’t be happening (at least in this round). Yesterday’s votes removed the Reform Commission proposals to limit the powers of…

Media

House votes to remove inheritance property tax

• Nathan Benefield
• November 14, 2006

The PA House has voted to eliminate the state inheritance tax over four years, the Post-Gazette reports.

Media