Public Union Democracy

Time to Exit Rendell’s Road to Higher Taxes

  • August 17, 2010

Governor Rendell has proposed a series of tax increases to fill a $415 million transportation funding deficit created when the federal government rejected his plan to toll I-80 for a…

Commentary

Read More: Time to Exit Rendell’s Road to Higher Taxes

Education

A School Choice Governor?

  • August 10, 2010

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett recently made headlines by announcing his support for full-fledged school choice in Pennsylvania. Democrat Dan Onorato has also expressed support for school choice, particularly the…

Commentary

Read More: A School Choice Governor?

Energy

Gas Fuels Growth

  • August 3, 2010

The national economy is in a slump, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and economic growth is being hampered by misguided policies. Meanwhile, Bradford County, Pennsylvania led the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in…

Commentary

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State Budget

Can Tom Corbett Keep His “No Tax” Pledge?

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • July 27, 2010

Attorney General Tom Corbett has taken significant criticism for his pledge to not raise taxes if elected governor.  That was to be expected from his Democrat rival, Allegheny County executive…

Commentary

Read More: Can Tom Corbett Keep His “No Tax” Pledge?

Government Accountability

I&R: Our Inalienable Right to Reform

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 22, 2010

It is clear our government will not reform itself.  Article I, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution recognizes the right of the citizens to "alter, reform or abolish their government…

Commentary

Read More: I&R: Our Inalienable Right to Reform

Regulation

The Real Problem with the Specter Library

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 13, 2010

As part of the state budget deal, Gov. Rendell secured $600 million in new borrowing for pork-barrel projects, including $10 million for the "Arlen Specter Library" at Philadelphia University and…

Commentary

Read More: The Real Problem with the Specter Library

Government Accountability

PennFuture: Harrisburg’s Lobbying Launderers

  • July 9, 2010

According to its website, PennFuture claims to have secured stronger pollution rules in state agencies; convinced legislators to pass several laws; won $80 million in utility rate cases; and convinced…

Commentary

Read More: PennFuture: Harrisburg’s Lobbying Launderers

Energy

The Marcellus Shale: A Real Stimulus

  • June 22, 2010

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. A Penn State study…

Commentary

Read More: The Marcellus Shale: A Real Stimulus

Education

The True Beneficiaries of Education Subsidies

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 21, 2010

Gov. Rendell's budget once again demands significant increases in public school spending.  Ostensibly, these increases are "for the children," but a close examination of education spending and policy proposals reveals…

Commentary

Read More: The True Beneficiaries of Education Subsidies

Regulation

$27 Billion Pension “Reform”: Still Doubling Down on Generational Theft

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • June 21, 2010

On June 16, the PA House passed pension "non-reform" by further deferring the scheduled taxpayers' contributions to the state's largest government pension plans - the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS)…

Commentary

Read More: $27 Billion Pension “Reform”: Still Doubling Down on Generational Theft

Regulation

Rendell’s $52 Billion Pension “Reform”

  • Richard Dreyfuss
  • June 15, 2010

Gov. Rendell and the Democrat-controlled House are trying to redefine pension "reform" by further deferring the scheduled taxpayers' contributions to the state's largest government pension plans - the Public School…

Commentary

Read More: Rendell’s $52 Billion Pension “Reform”

Regulation

Are Pennsylvania Taxes “Money Well Spent?”

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2010

Gov. Rendell proposes balancing the state budget with a combination of new and higher taxes, another federal bailout, and additional state borrowing.  When confronted by opposition to additional taxes on…

Commentary

Read More: Are Pennsylvania Taxes “Money Well Spent?”

State Budget

Lay Off the Private Sector with Public Sector Layoffs

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • June 10, 2010

Gov. Rendell is threatening once again to lay off state government employees if the General Assembly refuses to go along with his spend-more, tax-more budget proposals. But should the public…

Commentary

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Government Accountability

The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 24, 2010

Everyone loves to hate "special interests."  They spend millions of dollars in electing and lobbying public officials in order to gain political or legislative favor.  So it was no surprise…

Commentary

Read More: The Real “Special Interest” Problem in PA

Energy

Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

  • May 12, 2010

With Pennsylvania's unemployment rate at a 25-year high, Gov. Rendell is pushing "green jobs" at every turn. He has doled out nearly $1 billion to renewable energy projects and wants…

Commentary

Read More: Green Jobs Destroy Good Jobs

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan

  • May 4, 2010

A macroeconomic study of Pennsylvania's Climate Action Plan, released earlier this month, promises impressive cost savings and job creation for the state, but the report was produced by a global…

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Unrealistic Climate Plan

Small Business vs. Big Government

  • April 29, 2010

What is the third largest country in the world based on its production of output?  It is America's small businesses.  Collectively, they produce half of our private Gross Domestic Product…

Commentary

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Regulation

Rendell’s “Press Release Economics”

  • April 27, 2010

Press-release economics has long been part of a political charade in which lawmakers use other people's money to fund their political gain. In Pennsylvania, agencies such as the Department of…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Transportation Funding Solutions Require Reforms and Reprioritization

  • Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
  • April 14, 2010

Now that the federal government has rejected the ill-conceived plan to toll I-80 for a third, and supposedly final time, Gov. Rendell and the General Assembly must implement serious solutions…

Commentary

Read More: Transportation Funding Solutions Require Reforms and Reprioritization

Education

Ten Tips to Balance the Budget

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 8, 2010

Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten…

Commentary

Read More: Ten Tips to Balance the Budget

State Budget

Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs

  • April 6, 2010

Pennsylvania's latest budget shortfall is the result of a pattern in which state legislators abandon fiscal prudence in "good years" and face spending cuts or tax hikes in down times.

Commentary

Read More: Rendell’s Higher Taxes Equals Fewer Jobs