RSS FEEDSRecent Research
December 8, 2009 | Commentary by ABHILASH SAMUEL
Outward Bound - Taxes Driving People Out Of Pennsylvania
Between 2000 and 2008, Pennsylvania suffered the depletion of one of its most valuable resources - people. During this period, the state lost 56,000 net residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, ranking 11th in migration loss among all states. In the decade prior, Pennsylvania lost over 250,000 net residents to interstate migration - ranking 5th worst.
October 28, 2009 | Commentary by ABHILASH SAMUEL
Tort Reform Key to Reducing Health Care Costs
As Washington continues debating how to curb health care costs, one area largely ignored is medical malpractice reform. Ample evidence from states indicates tort reform is central to overhauling the healthcare system.
The Pacific Research Institute's (PRI) 2008 Tort Liability Index ranks states' tort laws, giving Pennsylvania a lowly 45. Lawrence J. McQuillan, co-creator of the index, says, "Because Pennsylvania has done little in terms of meaningful tort reform compared to other states, it is poorly positioned to contain its future tort costs and risks."
September 30, 2009 | Commentary by ABHILASH SAMUEL
Re-examine Public Welfare Spending
Pennsylvania has, as of this writing, gone 90 days without a budget, longer than any other state. The impasse has been driven by Gov. Rendell's demand for higher spending and new taxes. Though Rendell argues that the budget has been "cut to the bone," the work of a leading member of his own party, Auditor General Jack Wagner, proves otherwise.
Recent Blog Posts
MARCH 10, 2010
Is Minimum Wage the Panacea or the Disease
A new report by the Bureau of Business Research at Ball State University found that the recent minimum wage increases account for 550,000 fewer part-time jobs. According to the analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, most these losses are among workers between the age of 16 and 19. (HT: Americans for Tax Reform)
The minimum wage hike during a downturn had a significant impact, especially on part-time workers, because it as business could no longer afford the additional costs. As a result, jobs losses among younger workers were especially pronounced.
Federal and state governments legislate minimum wage to help the poor and unskilled. Yet, studies and consensus among economists have found that minimum wage laws have a negative effect on employment. Indeed countless studies of minimum wage laws have found that they reduce employment, primarily among the low-skill workers and disproportionately affect the young.
posted by ABHILASH SAMUEL | 10:38 AM | 0 comment
MARCH 8, 2010
Pennsylvania's EITC Highlighted in School Choice Yearbook
PA was among those states in which educational opportunity was jeopardized, according to Alliance for School Choice's yearbook for 2009-10. The report indicates that 2009 brought setbacks, particularly in Washington DC and Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania-another state with strong bipartisan support-suffered one of the most significant setbacks of 2009 because of the Keystone State's desperate financial situation. The program, which served nearly 45,000 children in 2008, was targeted for complete elimination by some legislators who sought to close "budget gaps." The support of Democratic Governor Ed Rendell, State Senator Anthony A. Williams (D-Philadelphia, and State Representative Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), however, paid off-as the program escaped complete elimination and survived with what school choice supporters hope will be a temporary funding reduction.
The report also highlights the saving to taxpayers brought about by the EITC program:
Taxpayers directly saved $144 million over six years because of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, according to a study by the Indiana-based Foundation for Educational Choice. In addition, the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives estimates that if all the children receiving scholarships between the 2001-02 school year and the 2006-07 school year attended public schools instead, it would have cost the state an additional $1.5 billion dollars over those years.
posted by ABHILASH SAMUEL | 08:47 AM | 0 comment
MARCH 3, 2010
Teacher Unions Bankrupting the State
The pension crisis has been looming large throughout the state, yet pension reform proposals in Pennsylvania have been met with protests by school employees unions.
The Pottstown Mercury writes how school employees protested the West Chester School Board's resolution supporting House Bill 2135 and Senate Bill 1185. These bills are attempts to reform the current system by creating a "hybrid plan," and only for new hires - though this reform itself would be subject to the same political manipulation as the current plan.
Oddly enough, thought the PSEA has widely criticized taxpayers not paying enough into the fund, they have not said anything about Gov. Rendell's proposal... which basically boils down to paying less into the fund. It is this sort of politics being played with defined contribution plans that necessitate the need for reform and moving to a defined contribution model.
posted by ABHILASH SAMUEL, NATHAN BENEFIELD | 09:19 AM | 0 comment
