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Public Union Democracy
Union bosses or real estate moguls? Tracking the PFT’s finances
Originally published at Center Square One reason Philadelphia workers may choose – or feel compelled – to join a union is the promise of access to special funds to…
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Energy
Don’t believe the hype — hydrogen hubs won’t create jobs or ‘green’ energy
Read More: Don’t believe the hype — hydrogen hubs won’t create jobs or ‘green’ energy
Education
The hard-fought but inevitable reward of school choice
Read More: The hard-fought but inevitable reward of school choice
Taking Pennsylvania for a Ride
Nearly three years ago, the Commonwealth Foundation joined a loose coalition of groups that spanned the political and ideological spectrum. Common Cause, Democracy Rising PA, RockTheCapital.org, Young Conservatives of…
Commentary
Read More: Taking Pennsylvania for a RideEducation
The Truth About Cyber Schools
An increasing number of parents are choosing Pennsylvania’s public cyber charter schools for their children every year—enrollment grew from 1,848 to almost 16,000 students between 2001 and 2006. Cyber…
Commentary
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Energy Depletion
Ed Rendell has been in politics for too long. That is the only way to explain his apparent belief that Harrisburg politicians know more about which alternative energy prospects are…
Commentary
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Property Seizures Threaten PA Small Business
Being a small business owner in Pennsylvania is not easy. There’s the punishing tax burden levied by state and local governments that see small firms not so much as vital…
Commentary
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How to Fix Mass Transit
In their final report, the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission wrote: The Commission concludes that no additional funding should be provided for highways, bridges and transit unless a series…
Commentary
Read More: How to Fix Mass TransitState Budget
Pennsylvania Families Need Government to Prioritize Spending
All families must learn to live within a budget. They understand that they can’t spend more than what they earn—at least not for very long. Frequently this means saying “No”…
Commentary
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Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health
:: Fat Facts of the Week ::…
Commentary
Read More: Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic HealthTaxes & Economy
Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic Health
:: Fat Facts of the Week :: Taxpayer-funded handouts to major corporations are just one reason why state government spending is so obese. Consider just four examples of corporate welfare:…
Commentary
Read More: Ideas to Improve Pennsylvania’s Fiscal and Economic HealthTaxes & Economy
Protecting the Taxpayers
Thank you Senator Corman, Senator Folmer, and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the opportunity to testify on the proposed Taxpayer Protection Act (SB 7) and Taxpayer Protection…
Commentary
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Public School Students Benefit from Private Managers
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission soon will be voting on a budget for the school district. Facing a projected budget deficit, the Commission is looking for ways to reduce costs,…
Commentary
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Diet Tip of the Week, Issue 3
One of the most notorious abuses of taxpayers' money is the exercise of Walking-Around-Money (WAMs). These funds are set aside for use at each legislator's discretion to dish out to…
Commentary
Read More: Diet Tip of the Week, Issue 3Taxes & Economy
Lost Jobs, Lost Opportunities: The Reality of the Minimum Wage Hike
In 2006, Governor Ed Rendell argued that hiking Pennsylvania’s minimum wage by 39% would not lead to lost jobs and opportunities for low-wage workers. Unfortunately, Mr. Rendell has already been…
Commentary
Read More: Lost Jobs, Lost Opportunities: The Reality of the Minimum Wage HikeGovernment Accountability
Memo to Senate State Government Committee Members
MEMORANDUM TO: Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee Members (Senators Piccola, Folmer, A. Williams, Scarnati, Brubaker, Corman, Punt, McIhinney, Fontana, Hughes, and Tartaglione) FROM: Commonwealth Foundation, Democracy Rising PA, Rock the…
Commentary
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Change the Incentives in Education
Thank you Chairman Armstrong and members of the Appropriations Committee for the opportunity to discuss the impact of Governor Rendell’s education proposals. You have already heard and are going to…
Commentary
Read More: Change the Incentives in EducationTaxes & Economy
Happy Tax Freedom Day, Pennsylvania!
April 27, 2007 won’t appear as a holiday on anyone’s calendar. Few workers will get the day off. But it will be the first day Pennsylvania’s workers stop working to…
Commentary
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Wild Claims About a Turnpike Lease
It is sad that former Pennsylvania House Speaker John Perzel, who last year said he favored leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike, is now striking out so wildly against the governor's proposal.
Commentary
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Prospering In Pennsylvania
Are Pennsylvania’s workers worse off than they were three decades ago? A report prepared by the labor union-backed Keystone Research Center claims they are. Their data indicate that average real…
Commentary
Read More: Prospering In PennsylvaniaGovernment Accountability
In Support of a Limited Constitutional Convention
Delivered on Monday, March 26, 2007 Thank you Chairman Piccola and members of the Senate State Government Committee for the opportunity to share with you the position of the…
Commentary
Read More: In Support of a Limited Constitutional ConventionTaxes & Economy
New Paradigm Equals New Opportunities
The global environment for transportation financing is entering a new paradigm. Like many states, Pennsylvania finds itself at the convergence of two intersecting trends that demand fiscal attention: First, growing…
Commentary
Read More: New Paradigm Equals New OpportunitiesTaxes & Economy
Higher Taxes Wont Cure Cancer
Governor Ed Rendell has, on occasion, joked that some state lawmakers would oppose any tax increase, “even if we could cure cancer tomorrow.” Unfortunately, Governor Rendell adopts the opposite view…
Commentary
Read More: Higher Taxes Wont Cure CancerRegulation
What Happened to Yesterday’s Hometown Heroes?
Each morning my local county newspaper shows up late. Speaking with the delivery man and calling the office hasn’t changed things. So, rather than canceling the 20,089 daily circulation paper…
Commentary
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