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

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

JANUARY 21, 2010 | Commentary by JOE STERNS

Time for Term Limits Again

Unfortunately, this spirit of civic virtue yielded to self-aggrandizement. Early on, legislators served a few terms in a public office and then returned to private life to live under the laws they created. Today, politicians make a career out of getting re-elected to the same office.

MAY 7, 2007 | Commentary by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Memo to Senate State Government Committee Members

MEMORANDUM TO: Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee Members (Senators Piccola, Folmer, A. Williams, Scarnati, Brubaker, Corman, Punt, McIhinney, Fontana, Hughes, and Tartaglione) FROM: Commonwealth Foundation, Democracy Rising PA, Rock the Capital, Young Conservatives of PA, PA Clean

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