MARCH 15, 2011 | Policy Report by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Streamlining State Government

Reforming the Regulatory Structure of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania businesses must navigate a complex web of regulations from more than 340 independent state agencies, offices, state departments, boards, commissions, and committees stemming from the executive branch. Several other boards, committees, and commissions in state government primarily provide an advisory or public relat

MARCH 15, 2011 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Streamlining State Government Testimony

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Senate Inter-Governmental Operations Committee

Pennsylvania businesses must navigate a complex web of regulations from more than 340 independent state agencies, offices, state departments, boards, commissions, and committees stemming from the executive branch. Several other boards, committees, and commissions in state government primarily provide an advisory or public relations ro

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

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

AUGUST 26, 2009 | Commentary

Keep on Truckin'

With Harrisburg gridlocked by the state budget impasse and Washington battling over national health care, an issue vital to Pennsylvania lurks below the radar.  The debate is over the future of the trucking industry—more specifically, legislation that would bolster the transportation sector of our economy,

AUGUST 19, 2009 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Report: National Healthcare Would Harm PA

National health care would harm state’s economy and add $4,400 in costs for every man, woman, and child in Pennsylvania—without significantly reducing the number of uninsured!

JULY 30, 2009 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Electricity Restructuring and Rate Caps

With electricity rate caps expiring, state lawmakers are concerned that Pennsylvanians will see steep increases in their utility bills. What will happen as the electricity deregulation, which is more accurately called electricity restructuring, process ends? What should lawmakers do?

MARCH 17, 2009 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Free Markets: An Unknown Ideal

President Obama, Governor Rendell, and many in the media have been echoing a similar refrain recently, "Conservatives had their chance.  We tried free markets, and they failed."  When exactly they think citizens enjoyed free markets is unclear, but it certainly did not occur under the presidency of George W. Bush or under Gov. Rendell.