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November 19, 2009 | Commentary by MICHAEL NEROZZI
Bamboozled: Why Government-Run Liquor Stores are Socially and Economically Impractical
Ever since Pennsylvania seized control of wine and liquor in 1932, advocates of state-run liquor stores have touted the supposed social benefits. However, recent research clearly demonstrates that privatization would have little impact on social outcomes.
September 3, 2009 | Commentary by MICHAEL NEROZZI
Tolling I-80 is a Recipe for Disaster
Once again, state lawmakers, bureaucrats and special interest groups are looking for another way to grab more money from Pennsylvanians. The latest rendition is tolling Interstate 80 across the northern tier of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, the I-80 tolling proposal doesn’t comply with federal law, ignores much-needed reform in transportation funding, and will harm Pennsylvania’s economy.
Recent Blog Posts
MARCH 10, 2010
Obamacare and Deficits
In campaign-mode fashion, President Obama held a rally at Arcadia University on Monday to sell his plan for health care reform. Filled with the usual rhetoric and emotional, Obama made some many claims about the fiscal implications of the current legislation in Congress.
Probably the most outrageous claim was a bill that will cost over $100 billion dollars a year will be deficit-neutral. As David Brooks from the NY Times points out, this "neutrality" is simply a bait and switch tactic"
One of the reasons the bill appears deficit-neutral in the first decade is that it begins collecting revenue right away but doesn't have to pay for most benefits until 2014. That's 10 years of revenues to pay for 6 years of benefits, something unlikely to happen again unless the country agrees to go without health care for four years every decade.
Combine this new spending with the burdensome regulations like individual mandates to purchase insurance and fines on small-business who don't offer coverage and you have a recipe for a fiscal nightmare.
Instead , President Obama should go back to the drawing board and embrace common-sense alternatives such as allowing the purchase of insurance across state lines, medical malpractice reform and tax code reform.
posted by MICHAEL NEROZZI | 08:28 AM | 0 comment
MARCH 4, 2010
HSAs: Efficient Heath Care and Savings for State Taxpayers
A recent op-ed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in the Wall Street Journal highlights the benefits his state has seen since implementing an optional Health Savings Account (HSA) for public employees. By providing a pre-paid $2,750 HSA, of which the employee had full ownership, the Hoosier state quickly began to realize its potential.
An essential ingredient contributing to the program's success was that employees keep whatever funds were left in an HSA at the end of the year. This incentivized employees to eat right and practice healthy habits, giving them more money in their pocket. The average amount left in the account at the end of the year was around $2,000 per person.
Overall, the state will save roughly $20 million due to their HSA enrollment, which is currently around 70% of all state workers. In 2009, employees with HSAs visited the emergency room roughly 67% fewer times than those employees on the traditional plans, and had a lower average prescription cost by opting for generic medications.
Instead of pushing for greater government control in health care, politicians in Washington should turn to the "laboratory" of the states for sound solutions.
posted by MICHAEL NEROZZI | 08:52 AM | 0 comment
MARCH 1, 2010
Marcellus Shale Powering Job Growth
TMK-IPSCO, an oil-and-gas pipe maker, recently announced its plan to build a new manufacturing facility roughly 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, just over the Ohio state line. The new facility will bring an estimated 120 jobs to the area, while also providing the piping used by natural gas drillers here in the Marcellus Formation.
Due to the rapid growth in natural gas extraction, companies like TMK are quickly moving to the area to meet demand, spurring job growth in regions once considered economically stagnant. By keeping Pennsylvania's tax structure business-friendly and by keeping regulations on the extraction of gas to a minimum, more companies like TMK are sure to follow.
posted by MICHAEL NEROZZI | 08:12 AM | 0 comment
