JANUARY 17, 2011 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

A Blueprint for Transforming the Commonwealth

Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition.  To provide a roadmap for success in this critical endeavor, the Commonwealth Foundation has compiled a list of 80 policy recommendations for Gov. Corbett and state legi

APRIL 30, 2010 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Does Legislative Size Matter?

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee

In summary, our analysis suggests that a reduction in the size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly could improve the lawmaking process, but only if it includes other, more comprehensive reforms such as those I just outlined.  We, at the Commonwealth Foundation, would be pleased to work with you on any of these good government reform me

APRIL 8, 2010 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE

Ten Tips to Balance the Budget

Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten ideas to balance the state budget, this year and the years to come, without raising taxes:

MARCH 19, 2010 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

The Case for a Part-Time Legislature

There is a direct link between our full-time legislature and our state economy.  A Commonwealth Foundation analysis shows a strong connection between legislative professionalization and higher spending per capita, a higher tax burden, and less economic freedom. Specifically, each increase in the level of professionalization results in

MARCH 11, 2010 | Policy Brief by NATHAN BENEFIELD, ELIZABETH STELLE

The Case for a Citizen Legislature

The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest in the country, while it ranks near the bottom in economic growth and freedom. This reality can be addressed by a number of reforms that woul

NOVEMBER 23, 2009 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE, TIM POTTS, BARRY KAUFFMAN, OLIVIA THORNE

Every Generation Needs A Revolution

Pennsylvania's government is a prime exhibition of Lord Acton's well-known admonition that "power corrupts."

AUGUST 19, 2008 | Testimony by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

Reducing the Size of the General Assembly

Testimony before the House State Government Committee, August 19, 2008 Thank you, Chairwoman Josephs, and members of the House State Government Committee for the opportunity to testify today on the issue of reducing the size of the Pennsylvania legislature.My name is Matthew Brouillette and I am a president and CEO the

AUGUST 23, 2006 | Policy Brief by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Potential Effects of Reducing the Size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

One of the most discussed legislative reforms in Harrisburg is a reduction in the size of the General Assembly. One version of this proposal, SB 890, sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R–Moon Township), would reduce the Pennsylvania General Assembly by 40% from 253 members (203 in the House, 50 in the Senate) to 151 members (121 in the House, 3

AUGUST 1, 2006 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Shrinking the Legislature

Thank you, Chairman Scarnati, and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the opportunity to testify before you today on the issue of whether or not Pennsylvania should reduce the size its legislature. My name is Nathan Benefield; I am a policy analyst with the Commonwealth Foundation, a public policy research organization in

JUNE 26, 2006 | Commentary by JOHN KENNEDY

Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them

The distance between the rulers and ruled continues to widen in Pennsylvania. For retiring and defeated members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the daily perks and privileges of office will disappear, but their departure will trigger the ultimate platinum parachute retirement plan.