Commentary

Regulation

Rendells Wicked Game

• Matthew Brouillette
• December 12, 2008

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

Education

What’s Wrong With Pennsylvania Higher Education

• Elizabeth Stelle
• December 2, 2008

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

Regulation

Government Can’t Cure Our Economic Woes

• Nathan Benefield
• November 23, 2008

Pennsylvania is facing a deep shortfall in revenue which, through October, stands at $565 million. Putting this in perspective, the shortfall in 2002-03—which led to increases in the state…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Which Obama Will Be President?

• Matthew Brouillette, Nathan Benefield
• November 13, 2008

Will an Obama presidency bring a lurch to the political Left in America?  This is of great concern for those of us who believe that our prosperity and security do…

Commentary

Public Union Democracy

Worker Freedom Ensures Economic Prosperity

• November 10, 2008

Along with the rest of the nation, Pennsylvania is struggling to rebound from the recent economic turmoil. Unfortunately, being a compulsory union state puts the Commonwealth at a marked disadvantage.

Commentary

Education

Schools Need Your Vote Every Year

• November 4, 2008

School board members are not up for re-election this year. That’s too bad, for a lot of people will be voting tomorrow. School board elections are held in off-years meaning…

Commentary

Education

Schools Need Your Vote Every Year

• November 4, 2008

School board members are not up for re-election this year. That’s too bad, for a lot of people will be voting tomorrow. School board elections are held in off-years meaning…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Real Hope and Change Comes From Ideas Not Politics

• Nathan Benefield
• November 3, 2008

In 1993, I officially launched my campaign for President of the United States.  Granted, I was only 17 years old, hadn’t graduated high school yet, and wasn’t a member of…

Commentary

State Budget

Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)

• Nathan Benefield
• October 10, 2008

Recently, state Senators Gibson Armstrong (R, Lancaster) and Vince Fumo (D, Philadelphia) sounded the alarm that Pennsylvania will be facing a massive budget deficit by the end of the…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Marx was Right (Groucho, that is)

• Matthew Brouillette
• October 6, 2008

Washington’s response to the current financial trouble has affirmed Groucho Marx’s definition of “Politics”: “The art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong…

Commentary

Tolling I-80 and the Presidential Election

• Nathan Benefield
• September 9, 2008

The theme of change has dominated the presidential election. Both Barack Obama and John McCain (and their vice presidential picks) tout themselves as agents of change, ready to reform…

Commentary

Government Accountability

Open the Books on Government Spending

• Elizabeth Stelle
• September 4, 2008

Imagine a website where you could instantly find information about the salary of your legislator or the amount of money your school district spends on textbooks. Think of a database…

Commentary

Health Care

New Mandates A Step Backwards in Health Care Reform

• Nathan Benefield
• July 2, 2008

State lawmakers claim to hear the cries of Pennsylvania residents about the escalating costs of health care. Unfortunately, instead of pushing reforms to help lower the costs of care, some…

Commentary

Education

Cyber School Funding Formula: The Wrong Mixture

• July 1, 2008

State Rep. Karen Beyer, along with the Rendell administration, lobbyists for the teachers unions, and the school boards association, has been doggedly seeking to reduce funding for Pennsylvania’s public cyber…

Commentary

Regulation

Soccer Stadium Plans: No Goal

• June 26, 2008

Recently, Governor Rendell and Republican state lawmakers stood side-by-side to announce a multi-million dollar taxpayer grant to build a soccer stadium in Chester, under the guise of "economic development."  Major…

Commentary

Regulation

The State’s Rosy Scenarios

• Richard Dreyfuss
• June 24, 2008

We live in uncertain times. This maxim is often heard in the corridors of the state Capitol where Excel spreadsheets support the marketing of new initiatives based on long-term financial…

Commentary

Taxes & Economy

Movin’ Out

• Nathan Benefield
• June 11, 2008

With all due respect to Billy Joel’s "Allentown," the tune which best describes Pennsylvania today would likely be "Movin' Out." For years, Pennsylvania has seen residents (particularly younger ones) move…

Commentary

Regulation

The Nanny State Mentality

• Nathan Benefield
• June 9, 2008

Anyone who has observed politics for long would see that too many politicians believe nothing positive would happen unless they pass a law requiring it. They think that the American…

Commentary

Lease the Turnpike? A real no-brainer

• Matthew Brouillette
• May 21, 2008

Pennsylvania lawmakers have the unique opportunity to allow taxpayers to earn interest rather than pay it. On May 19, Gov. Ed Rendell announced that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania could receive…

Commentary

Regulation

No Extra Money in the Fund

• Richard Dreyfuss
• May 20, 2008

"There is no extra money in the fund" for a pension Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA). That’s the analysis from the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS), not the Commonwealth Foundation…

Commentary

Government Accountability

The Cerberus of the General Assembly

• Nathan Benefield
• May 14, 2008

In Greek Mythology, the river Styx separates the earth from Hades. A giant three-headed dog named Cerberus guards the river, allowing the dead to enter Hades, but preventing anyone—save a…

Commentary