Education

The Bubble Bursts at Penn State

  • Charles Mitchell
  • March 24, 2011

The story is told that when someone asked John D. Rockefeller how much money is enough, he responded, "Just one dollar more."  Penn State's President, Graham Spanier, like most college…

Commentary

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Education

Parents Mustn’t Fall for Penn State Claims

  • Charles Mitchell
  • March 21, 2011

In an op-ed in Sunday’s Harrisburg Patriot-News, Penn State President Graham Spanier repeated his now-familiar claims that his institution must receive more from taxpayers than the $165 million…

Media

Read More: Parents Mustn’t Fall for Penn State Claims

State Budget

Chart of the Day: Is it a Spending Problem?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 10, 2011

In his budget address, Gov. Corbett talked a great deal about the overspending during the Rendell administration. Ben Waxman responds in the Daily News (I’m paraphrasing) “Nuh-uh, there’s no…

Media

Read More: Chart of the Day: Is it a Spending Problem?

Regulation

Double Standard in Liquor Control Enforcement

  • March 7, 2011

The Pennsylvania Independent has an excellent exposé on the double standard in liquor control enforcement between bars and restaurants and Pennsylvania’s state-run liquor stores. State police regularly perform…

Media

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State Budget

Understanding the Pennsylvania State Budget

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 7, 2011

Pennsylvania's total state operating budget for FY 2010-11 is approximately $65.4 billion-or $5,193 for every man, woman and child in the commonwealth.  This policy brief looks at the entire state…

Fact Sheet

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Health Care

Medicaid Reforms Start with the States

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 2, 2011

Medicaid spending threatens to consume the entire Pennsylvania state budget, and we aren’t alone. Without greater flexibility, states will be forced to cut services, raise taxes or drop out…

Media

Read More: Medicaid Reforms Start with the States

Regulation

Benefits of Liquor Store Privatization for Pennsylvanians

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 25, 2011

Good morning. I am Nathan Benefield, Director of Policy Research for the Commonwealth Foundation.  We are a nonprofit, independent public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg.

Testimony

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Education

15 School Choice Myths

  • February 16, 2011

In an attempt to thwart efforts to give children better educational opportunities, the public school establishment is trying to divert the attention of policymakers through a series of oft-repeated myths…

Fact Sheet

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Education

Yearbook of School Choice

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 14, 2011

The Alliance for School Choice has released its 2010-11 school choice yearbook. The report includes an overview of the growth of school choice programs around the country, a roundup…

Media

Read More: Yearbook of School Choice