APRIL 5, 2011 | Compilation by ANTONY DAVIES, LAURA VICINIE, JONATHAN SCOTT, KAIT WOLF, LAUREN MONDSCHEIN, DEVIN BOWEN, NATHAN BENEFIELD

Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania

A Compilation

Public Policy and Free Enterprise in Pennsylvania represents a partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation and the department of economics at Duquesne University.  Key findings in these five papers include

• Over the past sixty years, increases in union membership rates correlate with slower growth in real per-capita income growth slows, a decline in real imports, and no significant change in unemployment rates or real exports.
  
• The cost to taxpayers of a newly hired teacher—from age 22 through age 80 starting at the baseline salary of $40,800—will be $13 million
• The average settlement and award in states and years with joint and several liability reforms is $275,000 versus more than $350,000 for states and years with no reform.
• The data between gaming and unemployment rates is ambiguous, but per-capita income is significantly higher in gaming states than in non-gaming states.
• In Pennsylvania, employment is higher during times of greater trade. Average incomes are also higher during periods of greater trade.

JULY 9, 2009 | Commentary by NATALIE ROGOL

Pennsylvania’s Gambling Addiction

Five years ago this month, Gov. Rendell signed into law the signature policy achievement of his tenure -- legalized slot machine gambling. Act 71 of 2004 allows for 61,000 slot machines in 14 casinos throughout Pennsylvania. The governor promised many benefits from gambling revenue, the most appealing of which was a predicted $1 billion in property tax relief.

MARCH 22, 2004 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

A Solution to the Gambling License Giveaway

It's déjà vu all over again. As Governor Rendell continues lobbying the General Assembly to expand gambling, very little attention is paid to the potential giveaway of valuable slot machine licenses to a small group of wealthy and politically connected people. By failing to auction these limited gambling licenses to the highest responsible bidder, Pennsylvania taxpayers will lose upwards of $2 billion.

MAY 7, 2003 | Policy Brief by JEFF HOOKE

Pennsylvanias $2 Billion Corporate Giveaway

Executive Summary

Current proposals under consideration in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would grant limited gambling licenses to horse racetracks across the Commonwealth in an attempt to bolster the struggling industry. These gambling monopolies would be extremely valuable to the license holders and could potentially be the single largest corporate welfare subsidy program in Pennsylvania’s history.

MARCH 3, 2003 | Policy Brief by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE

Betting On Gambling: Potential Costs and Consequences for Pennsylvania

Executive Summary

FEBRUARY 21, 2003 | Policy Brief by ROBERT GOODMAN, EDWARD FESER

The Economic Impacts of Introducing Slot Machines at Racetracks in Pennsylvania: A Review of the Penn State Harrisburg Study

Purpose

Center for Economic Freedom & Prosperity

The Center for Economic Freedom and Prosperity promotes economic policies that limit government intervention in the economy; encourage the entrepreneurial spirit and competition; and allow Pennsylvanians to pursue their own happiness and take personal responsibility for their lives.