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MARCH 9, 2010 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
For Whom The Turnpike Tolls
Tolls are appropriate because they are imposed directly upon travelers for their use of roads. However, the plan to toll I-80 represents more than a toll. It is also a tax on drivers because more than $160 million in toll dollars from the highway will be funneled to mass transit systems, primarily in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Taxing drivers in the northern tier to subsidize mass transit users in the southeast and southwest is bad public policy.
MARCH 8, 2010 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
Rendell’s War on (Some) Special Interests
Gov. Rendell, of course, didn't declare war on all special interests - only those who oppose his tax-borrow-and-spend agenda. For example, while he lambasts the natural gas industry for opposing yet another tax upon the several it already pays, he gives a pass to the special interests clamoring for more of its money.
MARCH 2, 2010 | Policy Points by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2010
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reports that through the end of February, state General Fund revenues are $477 million below estimate for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
FEBRUARY 23, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Budget Facts 2010: Spending Increases by Department
Pennsylvania faces a projected General Fund tax revenue shortfall of at least $500 million. Governor Rendell proposed a $29 billion budget for 2010-11, that increases businesses taxes, imposes new taxes on natural gas and tobacco products, and expanding the sales tax to include many goods and services currently exempt. This is the second in a series of fact sheets on the state budget.
FEBRUARY 23, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Budget Facts 2010: Pennsylvania State Budget Overview
Pennsylvania faces a projected General Fund tax revenue shortfall of at least $500 million. Governor Rendell proposed a $29 billion General Fund budget for 2010-11, that increases businesses taxes, imposes new taxes on natural gas and tobacco products, and expands the sales tax to many goods and services currently exempt. This is the first in a series of fact sheets on the state budget.
FEBRUARY 17, 2010 | Commentary by ELIZABETH BRYAN
The True Cost of Unemployment Compensation
Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation fund is bankrupt. Beginning in March 2009, the Keystone State borrowed over $2 billion from the federal government to keep it solvent. Unfortunately, unemployment continues to grow, making a bad situation worse. Since December 2007, Pennsylvania has lost more than 200,000 jobs. It is imperative that policymakers revisit the unemployment compensation system and understand how the existing structure hinders economic recovery.
FEBRUARY 16, 2010 | Policy Brief by ELIZABETH BRYAN, KATRINA CURRIE
Business Guide to Electric Choice & Competition
In the late 1990s, Pennsylvania's electricity rates were 15% above the national average, despite the abundance of low-cost coal generation in the Commonwealth. At that time, electricity was sold by a monopoly utility provider per designated region. Then federal regulations changed to allow electricity markets to develop. The state legislature responded with the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act, signed in December 1996, promising lower prices and better service throug
FEBRUARY 10, 2010 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD
No Solutions in Rendell's Budget
The Keystone State for years has been afflicted by government inefficiency and overspending. Since Gov. Rendell took office in 2003, Pennsylvania’s burden of state and local taxes has increased from the 17th heaviest in the nation to the 11th. State spending has increased by $3,600 per family of four (in inflation-adjusted dollars). State debt has increased by $18 billion to a whopping $41 billion—a 78 percent increase—or $5,600 per family of four.<
FEBRUARY 9, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Rendell Budget Treats Symptoms, Ignores Disease
It is deeply unfortunate for Pennsylvania's hardworking families and seniors on fixed incomes, however, that Governor Rendell's newest budget proposal extracts still more money from taxpayers. He continues to treat the symptoms of government inefficiency and overspending while ignoring the disease.
FEBRUARY 8, 2010 | Policy Points by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Pennsylvania State Budget Resources
Commonwealth Foundation information on Proposed PA State Budget
