OCTOBER 17, 2011 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Inheritance Tax Reform

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield, Director of Policy Analysis, Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives, Pennsylvania House Finance Committee

JUNE 7, 2011 | Commentary by KATRINA CURRIE

The Real Victims of a Severance Tax

Jim VanBlarcom, a busy Bradford County dairy farmer, set a work day aside to come to Harrisburg and tell his story to Gov. Tom Corbett's Marcellus Shale panel. Royalty money from leasing farmland helped him double his dairy herd size, and he's glad the industry's here.

MAY 11, 2011 | Infographic by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Natural Gas Tax for Smarties

Not sure if Pennsylvania should enact a unique and extra tax on Natural gas? here are some important things you need to know!

MAY 9, 2011 | Commentary by REP. RICK SACCONE

Economic Pitfalls of Taxing Marcellus Shale

The facts are that in Pennsylvania, Marcellus drillers contributed more than $15 billion in capital investment and have paid in excess of $5 billion in royalties to landowners not including more than $1 billion in state and local revenues.  Think of every well as a nearly $5 million construction project boosting a local economy while ad

MAY 2, 2011 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD

Property Taxpayer Referendum

Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania House Finance Committee

House Bills 1326 and 1383 take an important step giving voters more control over school taxes, by eliminating the referendum loopholes allowed under Act 1.  Combined with mandate relief legislation to give school boards more flexibility in spending, these bills will help control the growth in school spending and property taxes.

APRIL 22, 2011 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

School Taxpayer Referendum & Property Tax Relief

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall spending to pre-stimulus levels and proposes no new taxes. This is the fifth in a series of fact sheets on the state budge

APRIL 4, 2011 | CF In The News

Let voters decide all tax hike proposals

Philly Burbs

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

AUGUST 17, 2010 | Commentary by NATALIE ROGOL

Time to Exit Rendell's Road to Higher Taxes

Governor Rendell has proposed a series of tax increases to fill a $415 million transportation funding deficit created when the federal government rejected his plan to toll I-80 for a third time. The state's highway system is in sorry condition, but not because taxpayers pay too little. Pennsylvania spends more on transportation

AUGUST 3, 2010 | Commentary by DOUG MCLINKO

Gas Fuels Growth

The national economy is in a slump, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and economic growth is being hampered by misguided policies. Meanwhile, Bradford County, Pennsylvania led the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in net job growth from March of 2009 through March of 2010 with 2500 new jobs or a 7.2% employment increase. The robust increase