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DECEMBER 16, 2009 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE
Five Threats to Pennsylvania's Prosperity
Pennsylvania has long been one of the most economically stagnant states in the nation. For the period 1991-2008, the Commonwealth ranked 45th in job growth, 46th in personal income growth, and 47th in population growth. Pennsylvania has also faired poorly in independent evaluations of states' business climates, i
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 - rank
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 | Commentary by JAKE HAULK, MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
Torts, Taxes Hinder Pennsylvania's Prosperity
Wrongheaded economic development policies and one of the nation's worst labor climates are serious impediments to Pennsylvania's prosperity. As if those obstacles were not enough, the commonwealth also has saddled itself with a tort system that deters job and income growth and a collection of taxes on business that puts the state at a se
Recent Blog Posts
FEBRUARY 25, 2010
What the Heck is Net Neutrality?
Reason TV attempts to explain the issue of net neutrality in a new video.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 00:22 PM | 0 comment
FEBRUARY 17, 2010
Free Our Beer!
With the debate over Pennsylvania's liquor laws heating up, new legislation would finally allow consumers to purchase six-packs of beer at their favorite local grocery store or distributor. Introduced by Sen. John Rafferty, the proposed legislation would be a welcomed relief to beer-drinkers across the Commonwealth who are currently inconvenienced by Pennsylvania's archaic and counter-intuitive liquor laws. This legislation would also provide more business to grocery and convenience stores across the state. The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) and the Pennsylvania Convenience Store Council (PCSC) have both endorsed Rafferty's reforms.
Rafferty‘s legislation would also require a 100% ID proofing policy for all alcohol vendors to eliminate any concern over underage purchases. As Rafferty noted at a rally today in the Capitol Rotunda, Wegman's supermarkets have been selling beer at their "Market Cafes" since May of 2008, with over 760,000 transactions and not a single violation of LCB policies, largely in part to their own 100% proofing policy. A one-time vendor licensing conversion fee of $25,000 and annual fee of $2,500 would go directly back to alcohol enforcment and compliance.
Furthermore, 75% of Wegman's beer sales were from local Pennsylvania breweries, supporting small businesses right here in our own backyard.
Click here for our recent Policy Brief on the impact of private liquor.
posted by MICHAEL NEROZZI | 08:25 AM | 0 comment
JANUARY 25, 2010
“Net Neutrality” Threatens Internet Innovation
Recently, The Commonwealth Foundation joined the Internet Freedom Coalition, a coalition of organizations standing against "network neutrality" initiatives.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a new plan that would, for the first time, give the government control over the Internet. The plan addresses the issue of "network neutrality", or whether internet service providers can prioritize the delivery of web content based on rates.
While many on the side of net neutrality claim this plan would keep the internet free from discrimination, this legislation would have devastating effects on an industry that has fostered enormous growth.
By imposing "network neutrality", internet service providers would have little incentive to upgrade their infrastructure due to price restrictions. Furthermore, the FCC has not provided any documented cases of abuse or market failure to warrant such action. In fact, it isn't even clear if the FCC has the legal authority to impose such regulations. By keeping the Internet open to entrepreneurship and innovation, America can continue to see the economic growth that only the market can provide.
Click here for a primer on net neutrality.
posted by MICHAEL NEROZZI | 11:26 AM | 0 comment
