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

JUNE 9, 2008 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

The Nanny State Mentality

Anyone who has observed politics for long would see that too many politicians believe nothing positive would happen unless they pass a law requiring it. They think that the American people are dependent on them for their wealth, safety, and happiness.

AUGUST 22, 2007 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Minimum Wage COLAs: Overstated Benefits & Hidden Costs

Support for minimum wage increases is based on the idea that a higher minimum wage will “help the poor” by increasing their pay and lifting them out of poverty. However, this perception is far from the reality. Minimum wage increases do not target the poor, they do not improve the lives and income of low-skill workers

MAY 16, 2007 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Lost Jobs, Lost Opportunities: The Reality of the Minimum Wage Hike

In 2006, Governor Ed Rendell argued that hiking Pennsylvania’s minimum wage by 39% would not lead to lost jobs and opportunities for low-wage workers. Unfortunately, Mr. Rendell has already been proven wrong, and small employers and entry-level employees are paying the price.

JULY 14, 2006 | Commentary by WILLIAM DUNKELBERG

Minimum Rationality for Minimum Wage

In an election year, legislators do irrational things, such as spend more money than the budget supports, fund pork projects for their districts, and raise the minimum wage.

JANUARY 23, 2006 | Commentary by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Letter to Gov. Rendell on the Minimum Wage

January 23, 2006 Governor Edward G. Rendell225 Main Capitol BuildingHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Dear Governor Rendell, I understand that politicians sometimes change their policy positions. And I probably don’t have to remind you of your position on the minimum wage in the 2002 gubernatorial campaign

DECEMBER 15, 2005 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Minimum Wage: Q & A

WHO ARE MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS IN PENNSYLVANIA?

OCTOBER 18, 2005 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Minimum Wage: Facts

Proponents of artificial increases in the government-mandated minimum wage argue, among other things, that raising the hourly minimum wage will help to lift families with children out of poverty and have little to no negative impact on employment. The economic evidence and demographic data, however, contradict those claims and show how raising t

OCTOBER 3, 2005 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

Minimum Wage Politics, Bad Economic Policy

It wasn’t a corporate executive who said, “Right now Pennsylvania businesses carry a very high tax burden compared to states we compete with. We’re [a] very heavily taxed business state…. To raise the minimum wage in just Pennsylvania, particularly for small businesses, would add another premium for doing business in the

SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 | Policy Report by DAVID A. MACPHERSON

The Effects of the Proposed Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Increase

In recent years, the movement to enact “living wages” or increases in the minimum wage has been active in states and cities across the country. Advocates of these wage hikes argue that the increases will help low-income families escape poverty. While emotionally compelling, this argument ignores the unintended consequences the propos