Taxes & Economy

Taxes and Taxes and Taxes, Oh My!

• Nathan Benefield
• August 24, 2015

A recent NPR article notes that Pennsylvania “gathers less than 1 percent of its total tax receipts from an impact fee” on natural gas production (emphasis mine). Naturally, the…

Media

The Most Liberal Governor in America: Tom Wolf and the Income Tax

• August 18, 2015

Media Hit

4.6 Billion Is the Loneliest Number

• Gina Diorio
• August 12, 2015

Gov. Tom Wolf and the state legislature have agreed on legislation 39 times this year, the Pittsburgh Tribune notes. But when it came time to vote on Wolf’s $4.6…

Media

Public Union Democracy

The Law Should Not Condone Violence

• Nathan Benefield
• July 21, 2015

Yesterday, Ironworkers Local 401 union leader Joseph Dougherty was given a 19 year prison sentence for encouraging sabotage and intimidation to advance his union’s interests. The judge in the…

Media

Education

Education Spending & Academic Achievement

• James Paul
• May 19, 2015

Increased education spending has not led to improved academic performance. This is reflected in SAT scores and NAEP results, as well numerous studies at the state, national, and international level.

Fact Sheet

Education

Our Undemocratic Teachers’ Unions

• James Paul
• March 30, 2015

Is American democracy under assault? That’s a question often asked when businesses exert political influence, unelected bureaucrats misuse power, or reporters engage in slanted storytelling. It’s time to add public-school…

Commentary

Education

Education-Industrial Complex Strikes Again

• James Paul
• March 16, 2015

Much has been made of recent comments from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan regarding school funding in Pennsylvania. According to Duncan, Pennsylvania's families are “being shortchanged when…

Media

Education

A School for the City, Not a Fortress from the City

• Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
• February 26, 2015

The plan was for Hudson to attend public school in Philadelphia—at least for one year. But after Andy, Hudson’s father, visited their neighborhood school, Horatio Hackett, he wanted something different…

Media

Education

Student Funding Reform

• February 17, 2015

Pennsylvania ranks among the nation’s leaders in education spending per student. Although spending levels are high, the system for distributing state funding is outdated. Weighted student funding (WSF) is a…

Fact Sheet