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Energy
Private investment—not subsidies—will empower Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy
Originally published at The Patriot-News Three Mile Island (TMI), the site of the infamous 1979 non-lethal reactor incident, may soon see new life—thanks to private investment. On…
Read More: Private investment—not subsidies—will empower Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy
Education
What educational reform can learn from urban renewal
Read More: What educational reform can learn from urban renewal
Education
Commonwealth Foundation names Andrew Lewis as new president and CEO
Read More: Commonwealth Foundation names Andrew Lewis as new president and CEO
Energy
Gov. Shapiro’s permitting reforms are not enough
Read More: Gov. Shapiro’s permitting reforms are not enoughRegulation
Getting Out of the Pension Dilemma
(Editors Note: This Commentary was originally published on March 8, 2006) Pennsylvania’s public employee pension plans are facing a looming financial crisis. Regardless of how one looks at the current…
Commentary
Read More: Getting Out of the Pension DilemmaEducation
Is Our Kids Learning?
Following multiple reports on student test scores, much has been made about how well Pennsylvania students are performing. In August, Governor Rendell delighted in the results from the PSSA—the state’s…
Commentary
Read More: Is Our Kids Learning?Regulation
For Sale: Harrisburg Senators (No, Not Those Senators)
In Pennsylvania and across the United States, taxpayers don't need to look very hard to find examples of wasteful, unconstitutional, or just plain wrongheaded government spending decisions. One of the…
Commentary
Read More: For Sale: Harrisburg Senators (No, Not Those Senators)Government Accountability
The Incumbents We Need
Pennsylvania’s 2006 elections will go down in the history books as one in which citizens overturned the apple cart of many incumbent state legislators. While many career politicians are already…
Commentary
Read More: The Incumbents We NeedPublic Union Democracy
What to do About the Transportation Crisis?
The Pennsylvania Transportation and Funding Reform Commission is currently holding hearings on the funding “crisis” in transportation. From 1995-96 to 2005-06, while inflation increased 28%, transportation spending in the state…
Commentary
Read More: What to do About the Transportation Crisis?Regulation
The Burden of Over-Regulation
Summer’s Best Two Weeks (SB2W) is a non-profit summer camp located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Mountains for children ages 8 to 18. SB2W counselors have led campers on…
Commentary
Read More: The Burden of Over-RegulationHealth Care
Health Care Mandates No Silver Bullet
In April 2006, Massachusetts enacted a dramatic health care reform package. Dubbed “Romneycare” after Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, this plan calls for reforms in the health insurance market, a mandate…
Commentary
Read More: Health Care Mandates No Silver BulletTaxes & Economy
“Back-End Referendum”: No Taxpayer Protection
The recent enactment of Special Session Act 1 of 2006, the so-called “Pennsylvania Taxpayer Relief Act”, came as a disappointment to taxpayers throughout the Commonwealth who are fed up with…
Commentary
Read More: “Back-End Referendum”: No Taxpayer ProtectionGovernment Accountability
Principles Worth Fighting For
Though I have watched Braveheart several dozen times, last weekend was the first time that the blood, violence, and men in kilts reminded me of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Unfortunately,…
Commentary
Read More: Principles Worth Fighting ForHealth Care
The 1% Solution
In the daily travails of state government, it appears the Senate is prepared to take action best described as “self-reform.” According to reports, beginning as early as September, employees of…
Commentary
Read More: The 1% SolutionGovernment Accountability
Shrinking the Legislature
Thank you, Chairman Scarnati, and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the opportunity to testify before you today on the issue of whether or not Pennsylvania should reduce…
Commentary
Read More: Shrinking the LegislatureRegulation
Boeing-Sized Welfare Checks
For the past three and one-half years, the ostensible premise of Gov. Ed Rendell’s “economic stimulus” plan has been that by making “targeted investments” in politically chosen companies and industries,…
Commentary
Read More: Boeing-Sized Welfare ChecksTaxes & Economy
Minimum Rationality for Minimum Wage
In an election year, legislators do irrational things, such as spend more money than the budget supports, fund pork projects for their districts, and raise the minimum wage.
Commentary
Read More: Minimum Rationality for Minimum WageState Budget
Whiskey and Car Keys
Author P.J. O’Rourke once wrote: “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” He must have been thinking about Gov. Rendell and…
Commentary
Read More: Whiskey and Car KeysGovernment Accountability
Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them
The distance between the rulers and ruled continues to widen in Pennsylvania. For retiring and defeated members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the daily perks and privileges of office…
Commentary
Read More: Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix ThemGovernment Accountability
The Real Candidates for Office: Liberty vs. Safety
On a stone pillar near the top of the steps ascending toward the Pennsylvania State Capitol is inscribed the following quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up essential…
Commentary
Read More: The Real Candidates for Office: Liberty vs. SafetyTaxes & Economy
Decoding the Swann Property Tax Plan
The property tax relief plan introduced by gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann last month offers a radically different approach to the problem. Swann’s proposal contains some good provisions, some flawed provisions,…
Commentary
Read More: Decoding the Swann Property Tax PlanGovernment Accountability
A Mandate for Reform
Much has been written about the “message” of the May 16 primary election in the weeks since Pennsylvania’s voters thunderously registered their displeasure with “business as usual” in Harrisburg. By…
Commentary
Read More: A Mandate for ReformEducation
Cut the Fat
While Gov. Ed Rendell claims that his administration is “squeezing every nickel out of government,” an analysis of state spending released by the Commonwealth Foundation and Citizens Against Government Waste…
Commentary
Read More: Cut the FatState Budget
Ending Pennsylvanias Business as Usual Budget
The General Assembly’s post-primary return to Harrisburg signals the start of budget season in Pennsylvania—and taxpayers all across the Commonwealth should be clutching their wallets a little tighter in nervous…
Commentary
Read More: Ending Pennsylvanias Business as Usual BudgetState Budget
Return the Windfall Profits
There is a massive organization imposing a financial burden on the Pennsylvania economy. It is consuming an ever larger portion of the average person’s income. The costs for what it…
Commentary
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