Latest Content
Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEnergy
Three Mile Island Demonstrates the Value of Free Markets
Read More: Three Mile Island Demonstrates the Value of Free MarketsEnergy
It’s Not Just Fracking — Pennsylvanians Oppose Harris’s Climate Policies
Read More: It’s Not Just Fracking — Pennsylvanians Oppose Harris’s Climate PoliciesRegulation
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
Read More: What’s Wrong With Pennsylvania Higher EducationRegulation
Government Can’t Cure Our Economic Woes
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
Read More: Government Can’t Cure Our Economic WoesPublic Union Democracy
Which Obama Will Be President?
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
Read More: Which Obama Will Be President?Public Union Democracy
Worker Freedom Ensures Economic Prosperity
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
Read More: Worker Freedom Ensures Economic ProsperityEducation
Schools Need Your Vote Every Year
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
Read More: Schools Need Your Vote Every YearEducation
Schools Need Your Vote Every Year
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
Read More: Schools Need Your Vote Every YearTaxes & Economy
Real Hope and Change Comes From Ideas Not Politics
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
Read More: Real Hope and Change Comes From Ideas Not PoliticsState Budget
Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)
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
Read More: Stay (Just A Little Bit Longer)Taxes & Economy
Marx was Right (Groucho, that is)
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
Read More: Marx was Right (Groucho, that is)
Tolling I-80 and the Presidential Election
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
Read More: Tolling I-80 and the Presidential ElectionGovernment Accountability
Open the Books on Government Spending
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
Read More: Open the Books on Government SpendingHealth Care
New Mandates A Step Backwards in Health Care Reform
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
Read More: New Mandates A Step Backwards in Health Care ReformEducation
Cyber School Funding Formula: The Wrong Mixture
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
Read More: Cyber School Funding Formula: The Wrong MixtureRegulation
Soccer Stadium Plans: No Goal
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
Read More: Soccer Stadium Plans: No GoalRegulation
The State’s Rosy Scenarios
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
Read More: The State’s Rosy ScenariosTaxes & Economy
Movin’ Out
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
Read More: Movin’ OutRegulation
The Nanny State Mentality
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
Read More: The Nanny State Mentality
Lease the Turnpike? A real no-brainer
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
Read More: Lease the Turnpike? A real no-brainerRegulation
No Extra Money in the Fund
"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
Read More: No Extra Money in the FundGovernment Accountability
The Cerberus of the General Assembly
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
Read More: The Cerberus of the General Assembly