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May 22, 2012 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE, GEORGE LEADER
Commonsense Can Correct Corrections
Kyle, a convicted burglar sentenced to 1-3 years in Pennsylvania state prison, was granted parole in June 2011, but spent an extra 100 days in jail, not because he failed to serve time for his crime, but because he couldn't pay an administrative fine. According to the Department of Corrections, his due was $13.70.
April 11, 2012 | Commentary by JOHN BOUDER
Government-run Golf a Taxpayer Double Bogey
Believe it or not, local governments, i.e., taxpayers, own 49 golf courses in Pennsylvania. One of the poorest performers is Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, owned by Dauphin County taxpayers, which simply doesn't make enough money to cover the interest on its debt. For years, the Dauphin County General Authority has been caddying for the course's bills to the tune of more than $3 million. The golf course is for sale, but because its $11 million debt load exceeds its market value it has become a sand trap the county cannot escape.
April 3, 2012 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE
Education Spending: The Rest of the Story
Since Gov. Corbett's budget proposal, those who profit from Pennsylvania's $26 billion a year public school system have been gnashing teeth over what they claim is an "underfunding" of the public schools. This misinformation campaign builds on the faulty premises that education spending in Pennsylvania has been cut to the bone and more money will improve student learning. Unfortunately, this narrative distorts reality and omits key facts. As the late Paul Harvey would say, it is time you know the rest of the story.
March 28, 2012 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
Change We Can’t Afford
This week, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act celebrated its two-year anniversary before the U.S. Supreme Court. The controversial health care law finds itself in front of the highest court in the land after Pennsylvania and 25 other states joined together to challenge its constitutionality.
March 19, 2012 | Commentary by THOMAS J. GENTZEL, MATTHEW BROUILLETTE
Public Schools Can Do More with Less - If We Let Them
As families across Pennsylvania try to figure out how to do more with less in this difficult economy, our local public schools must also do the same. But unlike fiscally sound kitchen-table decisions that can be made in the morning and implemented by lunch, elected school board members are forced to waste taxpayer money because of antiquated and unfair mandates from Harrisburg that do nothing to improve the quality of public education.
March 14, 2012 | Commentary by JONATHAN HUMMA, NATHAN BENEFIELD
Pennsylvania's Fork in the Road on Transportation Spending
Motorists frustrated with high gas prices should be on the alert—your pain at the pump could get worse, and it has nothing to do with Middle East tensions or gas company profits. Sadly, many in the transportation industry and some lawmakers in Pennsylvania believe the only way to fix our roads is to increase gasoline taxes and charge drivers more in vehicle fees. This low-octane loser is surely another wrong exit for taxpayers whose tank is already on empty.
February 29, 2012 | Commentary by STEPHEN BLOOM, JOHN EICHELBERGER
Sounding the Alarm to Save Pennsylvania
A four-alarm fire is engulfing Pennsylvania's economy. If we don't regain control of the state debt, corrections costs, public welfare growth and government employee pensions, our state taxpayers will be burned, and Pennsylvania's children will inherit only the ashes of our once great commonwealth.
February 8, 2012 | Commentary by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Fireproofing Pennsylvania's Economy
It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that without swift action Pennsylvania's fiscal house will soon burst into flames. State lawmakers have adequate warning about the threats to our economy, but business as usual will leave taxpayers and future generations with a four-alarm inferno.
February 2, 2012 | Commentary by RICHARD DREYFUSS
Will our Grandchildren be Budget Losers?
As the Governor's state budget address approaches, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary "winners and losers."
January 24, 2012 | Commentary by ELIZABETH STELLE, JAY OSTRICH
Welfare Reforms Protect Poor, Taxpayers
Regardless of where you stand on taxpayer-funded entitlements, few Americans argue against the maintenance of temporary safety nets or modifications aimed at ending welfare fraud, waste and abuse.
