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Education
Don’t ignore the destructive ideas coming out of Harrisburg
Originally published at Broad + Liberty It’s a presidential election year, with voters riveted on national politics and issues. Inflation — caused by federal deficit spending — and immigration consistently…
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Education
Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction
Read More: Senate Higher Education Proposal is a Step in the Right Direction
Public Union Democracy
Demand more from CT public sector union officials
Read More: Demand more from CT public sector union officials
Energy
Shapiro’s energy proposals threaten affordable, reliable energy in Pa.
Read More: Shapiro’s energy proposals threaten affordable, reliable energy in Pa.Education
Let Common Sense Prevail on School Construction Projects
In the current debate over school property tax reform in Pennsylvania, all of the plans under consideration in Harrisburg focus solely on the revenue side of the school finance equation…
Commentary
Read More: Let Common Sense Prevail on School Construction ProjectsRegulation
The Laws of Economics are Sovereign, Even in Pennsylvania
It’s a shame that King Canute never ran for office in Pennsylvania. King Canute was the mighty English ruler who, tired of the ceaseless flattery of his advisors, had them…
Commentary
Read More: The Laws of Economics are Sovereign, Even in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Pennsylvania Pensions: Man-Made Financial Disasters
The “Process Improvement Theory” relates to the timing in a process when errors are diagnosed and fixed. As the theory goes, at each ensuing interval in which a problem is…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Pensions: Man-Made Financial DisastersState Budget
State Spending Limits: The Real “Road Less Traveled”
In his 2006-07 budget address, Gov. Ed Rendell claimed to be taking the “road less traveled.” But in unveiling his new spending plan, the governor revealed that he is speeding…
Commentary
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The Rendell Budget: Would Your Family Spend Money Like This?
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had a good tax year – that is, in government collection terms. General Fund revenues will exceed expectations this year by a projected $353 million. But…
Commentary
Read More: The Rendell Budget: Would Your Family Spend Money Like This?Taxes & Economy
Letter to Gov. Rendell on the Minimum Wage
January 23, 2006 Governor Edward G. Rendell225 Main Capitol BuildingHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Dear Governor Rendell, I understand that politicians sometimes change their policy positions. And I probably don’t…
Commentary
Read More: Letter to Gov. Rendell on the Minimum WageTaxes & Economy
From Hopeless to Hopeful
On November 16, the legislators handed Gov. Rendell a bill to repeal the General Assembly’s July 7 pay and pension grab. The Governor promptly signed the measure without fanfare. Only…
Commentary
Read More: From Hopeless to HopefulTaxes & Economy
Private Property & Liberty
Good afternoon. My name is Matt Brouillette, and I am president & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, a public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg. We develop and…
Commentary
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President’s Address: Advancing Ideas Whose Time Have Come
"As we celebrate these first recipients of our Speaker Franklin Awards, I’m reminded of the great British Statesman Edmund Burke who once said: “All that is necessary for the triumph…
Commentary
Read More: President’s Address: Advancing Ideas Whose Time Have ComeTaxes & Economy
Protect Private Property from Eminent Domain Abuse
Thank you for the opportunity to address the issue of Eminent Domain. My name is Matt Brouillette, and I am president & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, a research and…
Commentary
Read More: Protect Private Property from Eminent Domain AbuseTaxes & Economy
Minimum Wage Politics, Bad Economic Policy
It wasn’t a corporate executive who said, “Right now Pennsylvania businesses carry a very high tax burden compared to states we compete with. We’re [a] very heavily taxed business state….
Commentary
Read More: Minimum Wage Politics, Bad Economic PolicyTaxes & Economy
Reform Government’s Claim on Your Domain
Pennsylvanians never really own their homes—they only “rent” them from the government. Don’t believe me? Just stop paying your school and county property taxes and you’ll find out who actually…
Commentary
Read More: Reform Government’s Claim on Your DomainTaxes & Economy
Singin’ Those Car Wash Blues
Setting aside the traditional economic arguments against increasing the state’s minimum wage rate, what impact would a proposal currently in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have on employees in a…
Commentary
Read More: Singin’ Those Car Wash BluesTaxes & Economy
Protecting Private Property from Eminent Domain Abuse
Chairman Clymer, Rep. Yewcic and members of the House State Government Committee, good afternoon. My name is Matthew Brouillette and I am president & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation for…
Commentary
Read More: Protecting Private Property from Eminent Domain AbuseTaxes & Economy
Government Clock Keeps on Tickin
We’re #1. That’s what the Pennsylvania Economy League discovered this month after comparing the overall cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to its counterparts in other states. The report on…
Commentary
Read More: Government Clock Keeps on TickinEducation
Is the NEA Really a NUT?
Is the NEA really a NUT? By asking, I’m not casting aspersions on the National Education Association’s sanity, just on its choice of name. The NEA’s British counterpart really is…
Commentary
Read More: Is the NEA Really a NUT?Education
Throwing a Party for the Educational Status Quo
The National Education Association recently concluded its annual convention in Los Angeles, gathering 8,000 delegates in celebration of the status quo in public education. When attendees weren’t offering a vigorous…
Commentary
Read More: Throwing a Party for the Educational Status QuoTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvanias Great Rail Disasters Continue
Dozens of cities around the country, including Pennsylvania cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, are building, planning, or considering new or expanded rail systems. But is rail really the best…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvanias Great Rail Disasters ContinueTaxes & Economy
Only We, the People, Can Restore the Spirit of 1776
The history of the world is a story about mankind’s struggle to be free. Millions upon millions of people have died over the age-old question about which form of tyrannical…
Commentary
Read More: Only We, the People, Can Restore the Spirit of 1776Taxes & Economy
Time to Act (not 72) on Pennsylvanias School Tax Crisis
The Homeowner Tax Relief Act of 2004 (Act 72) failed long before nearly 80 percent of Pennsylvania’s school boards even had the opportunity to reject it. Despite Gov. Ed Rendell’s…
Commentary
Read More: Time to Act (not 72) on Pennsylvanias School Tax CrisisTaxes & Economy
A Horsepower Boost to PAs Economic Engine
When it comes to state officials spending their tax dollars, Pennsylvanians want some restraint. That is the clear message contained in a recent statewide survey of citizens by Susquehanna…
Commentary
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