July 8, 2010 | Policy Brief by PAUL CHESSER

PennFuture's Lobbying

Hypocritical, unethical, and possibly illegal

PennFuture (a.k.a. Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future), the organization founded by Pennsylvania Secretary of Environmental Protection John Hanger over 10 years ago, frequently criticizes the lobbying by traditional energy industries. But a close look at the environmental activist group shows at least questionable and hypocritical, if not unethical or illegal, advocacy practices.

June 8, 2010 | Policy Brief by KATRINA CURRIE, ELIZABETH STELLE

Pennsylvania's Natural Gas Boom

Economic & Environmental Impacts

The Marcellus Shale formation is believed to be the largest unconventional natural gas reservoir in America, and its exploration has been coined a modern-day gold rush. More than a mile underground, this once unreachable gas is now recoverable thanks to advancements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technology.

March 11, 2010 | Policy Brief by NATHAN BENEFIELD, ELIZABETH STELLE

The Case for a Citizen Legislature

The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest in the country, while it ranks near the bottom in economic growth and freedom. This reality can be addressed by a number of reforms that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Pennsylvania's legislature.

February 16, 2010 | Policy Brief by ELIZABETH STELLE, 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 through generation competition and consumer choice.

January 12, 2010 | Policy Brief by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

Climategate & Penn State

The Case for an Independent Investigation

Just days after news broke about what has been dubbed "Climategate," Penn State University (PSU) announced that it would investigate the conduct of Michael Mann, a professor in PSU's Department of Meteorology and a prominent figure in the Climategate emails.

January 5, 2010 | Policy Brief by ELIZABETH STELLE, KATRINA CURRIE

Citizen's 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 through consumer choice and generation competition.

October 29, 2009 | Policy Brief by JOHN PULITO, ANTONY DAVIES PHD

Government-Run Liquor Stores: The Social Impact of Privatization

Evidence from 48 states over time shows no link between market controls and these social goals.  Divestiture of Pennsylvania's state liquor stores would represent a financial windfall to the state, while posing no threat to public safety, as it would not result in the social ills many opponents of privatization fear.

July 31, 2009 | Policy Brief by PAVEL YAKOVLEV, ANTONY DAVIES

Pennsylvania’s Flawed Film Tax Credit: What the ERA study won’t tell you

The Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee contracted with Economics Research Associates (ERA)1 to analyze Pennsylvania’s Film Tax Credit (FTC).  In general, the ERA report, “Pennsylvania’s Film Production Tax Credit and Industry Analysis,” fails to provide legislators and citizens with a reliable assessment of the program by not counting all the costs associated with the film tax credit and falling short in its tax revenue claims.

April 6, 2009 | Policy Brief by RICHARD DREYFUSS

A Tale of Three Cities: Pennsylvania's Retiree and Medical Liability Challenges

Pennsylvania maintains over 3,000 public pension plans at the state, city and municipal levels, the most of any state and approximately 25% of all such plans in America.  Over 2,200 of these plans are of the often financially and politically problematic “defined-benefit” genre.  According to the Pennsylvania Public Employee Retirement Commission (PERC), over 67 percent of these plans have fewer than 10 members.

December 5, 2008 | Policy Brief by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION

High Costs of Higher Education: Reforming How Pennsylvania Taxpayers Finance Colleges and Universities

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has long been considered a leader in higher education, touting a publicly supported system that includes community colleges, state, state-related, and state-aided universities.  However, as with all large institutions, a number of serious problems exist. 

Despite significant increases in state appropriations and financial aid programs, higher education is less affordable today than it has ever been.