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Public Union Democracy
Demand more from CT public sector union officials
Originally published at the Hartford Courant In Connecticut, getting a job in state government comes with strings attached. As soon as you’re hired, the state sends your contact information,…
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Energy
Shapiro’s energy proposals threaten affordable, reliable energy in Pa.
Read More: Shapiro’s energy proposals threaten affordable, reliable energy in Pa.
Public Union Democracy
Gov’t Unions Took Over Michigan. Now They’re Eyeing PA
Read More: Gov’t Unions Took Over Michigan. Now They’re Eyeing PA
Health Care
A Physician’s Misfortune Highlights What’s Wrong with Health Care
Read More: A Physician’s Misfortune Highlights What’s Wrong with Health CareTaxes & Economy
Government Intervention Prolongs Recessions
Recessions are a tough time for all—many lose their jobs, family incomes shrink, and budgets are squeezed. But recessions are natural and, in the long-run, foster a stronger economy. It…
Commentary
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Get the Quarter Back
There is an old joke, with many variations that goes something like this: a foreigner came to visit a friend in America, and they went to watch a Pittsburgh Steelers…
Commentary
Read More: Get the Quarter BackState Budget
Taxing An Infant Industry to Death
Home to the first oil well in the United States, Pennsylvania has returned to the drilling scene in recent years, looking to tap into an estimated 50 trillion cubic feet…
Commentary
Read More: Taxing An Infant Industry to DeathRegulation
Pennsylvania’s Path to Prosperity
In any economic crisis, politicians scramble to “do something” to show voters they’re “on the job.” Ironically, the greatest threat to our recovery is not government’s inaction, but rather its…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Path to ProsperityPublic Union Democracy
Prevailing Wage Law Harms Philadelphias Black Workers
Since construction began on the Philadelphia Convention Center, the city's black construction workers have protested, with good reason, the lack of opportunity for minority workers on public construction projects. Unwilling…
Commentary
Read More: Prevailing Wage Law Harms Philadelphias Black WorkersTaxes & Economy
The Un-Silent Majority
Nearly 10,000 Pennsylvanians rallied on Tax Day, April 15th, against wasteful government spending, high and rising taxes, and burgeoning government debt and deficits. The nonpartisan, anti-establishment “Tea Parties” were held…
Commentary
Read More: The Un-Silent MajorityTaxes & Economy
Tax Freedom Day 2009
Circle April 14th on your calendar this year as Tax Freedom Day for Pennsylvania. While tomorrow is the deadline for filing income tax forms, today is the day Pennsylvanians can…
Commentary
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Electricity Deregulation: A Successful Transition
Most Pennsylvania residents will soon see significant increases in their electricity bills. Many state lawmakers are concerned about the political backlash they will receive as a result. But it is…
Commentary
Read More: Electricity Deregulation: A Successful TransitionRegulation
Philadelphia’s “Pension Reform” is Generational Theft
Faced with significant budget deficits and the burden of ever-increasing pension contributions, Philadelphia is attempting to finesse itself out of a financial dilemma. In simple terms, the city cannot afford…
Commentary
Read More: Philadelphia’s “Pension Reform” is Generational TheftPublic Union Democracy
The Coming Union Bailout
America's history is filled with stories about entrepreneurs who persevered through repeated failure before eventually succeeding. These pre-21st century men and women didn't get help from the government, they turned…
Commentary
Read More: The Coming Union BailoutEducation
State Can’t Spend Its Way to Student Success
For years, the educational establishment has claimed that not enough is being spent on public schools – that if more money is pumped into the system, student achievement will improve. …
Commentary
Read More: State Can’t Spend Its Way to Student SuccessHealth Care
Free Markets: An Unknown Ideal
President Obama, Governor Rendell, and many in the media have been echoing a similar refrain recently, "Conservatives had their chance. We tried free markets, and they failed." When exactly they…
Commentary
Read More: Free Markets: An Unknown IdealTaxes & Economy
Scotland Students Need More Educational Choices
To plug a $2.3 billion deficit caused by overspending, Gov. Rendell has proposed closing the Scotland School for Veterans' Children. Although the $13 million in state funds the school received…
Commentary
Read More: Scotland Students Need More Educational ChoicesRegulation
Pennsylvanias Spending Problem
Imagine our economy is a pond. In the name of “economic stimulation,” Gov. Ed Rendell goes to one side of the pond, dips in a bucket, pulls it out and…
Commentary
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School District Consolidation is a Red Herring
In the movie Men in Black, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) carries a small device that flashes, allowing him to make people forget meeting him (or seeing aliens). Gov. Rendell…
Commentary
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Obama Transparency Standard Challenges School Boards
Pennsylvania school boards have been presented an opportunity to measure up to the standard set by our new President. In his inaugural address, Barack Obama promised that public business would…
Commentary
Read More: Obama Transparency Standard Challenges School BoardsRegulation
Six Years of Rendells Stimulus is Enough
Gov. Ed Rendell is, as head of the National Governor’s Association as well as the chief of a state facing a major revenue shortfall, leading the push for a federal…
Commentary
Read More: Six Years of Rendells Stimulus is EnoughRegulation
Boscovs Bailout is Bad for Business
With bailout mania sweeping the nation, it is hardly a surprise to see the struggling Boscov’s department store with its hand out. But the current proposal to give Boscov's $35…
Commentary
Read More: Boscovs Bailout is Bad for BusinessEducation
The PSEA: A Worm in the Apple
Every taxpayer in the Commonwealth should be aware of the influence and agenda of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). Despite its name, the organization’s top priority is not educating…
Commentary
Read More: The PSEA: A Worm in the AppleRegulation
Rendells Wicked Game
People are but mere pawns for Gov. Ed Rendell’s use as political leverage in an inexorable pursuit of his policy agenda. Thousands of state employees were unnecessarily furloughed…
Commentary
Read More: Rendells Wicked GameEducation
What’s Wrong With Pennsylvania Higher Education
In the midst of rising tuition, dwindling tax revenue, and a recession, the presidents of 13 state-owned colleges are collectively receiving $147,427 in raises, which would equal tuition for 27…
Commentary
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