Criminal Justice Reform

One act of love can reform a system failing juvenile offenders

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • April 28, 2023

Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer Aqilah David’s journey began with an act of love. Living alone with her 10-year-old brother and 6-year-old sister — partially due to adults…

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Bipartisan Support for Education Reforms

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 26, 2023

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania In Pennsylvania, divides over public education remain constant. The debates range from school funding disputes to curriculum fights, from arguments over critical race theory and…

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Energy

Environmental Bootleggers and Baptists Fleece Consumers

  • Gordon Tomb
  • April 24, 2023

Originally published at RealClearEnergy The “Bootleggers and Baptists” of Pennsylvania’s energy markets cost consumers and taxpayers billions while undermining the state’s economy and power grid.   Bruce Yandle, an economist, …

Commentary

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Energy

Save the Homer City power plant

  • Gordon Tomb
  • April 22, 2023

Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette During his campaign, Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed concern over a new carbon tax initiated by his predecessor, Tom Wolf, noting the impact on…

Commentary

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Public Union Democracy

Teacher Unions Pick Politics Over Students and Teachers

  • Charles Mitchell
  • April 18, 2023

Originally published at The American Spectator There’s a war brewing in education — and it’s not just on parents. It’s on the teachers themselves — and the same unions…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

We Need to Stop Chasing Residents Out of the State With High Taxes

  • Kevin Kane
  • April 18, 2023

Originally published at Delaware Valley Journal Every April, Pennsylvanians are reminded of their crushing tax burden—one of the highest in the nation. And a growing number of Pennsylvanians have…

Commentary

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Education

How the next mayor can help Philadelphia’s schools

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • April 10, 2023

Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer The top reason people with kids move out of Philadelphia isn’t because of crime or jobs — it’s…

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Welfare

Medicaid needs a better ‘normal’ in Pa.

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 7, 2023

Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review This month, Medicaid is finally returning to normal — but “normal” was never that great. Currently, an estimated 600,000 ineligible Pennsylvanians…

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Biden’s Ineffectual Energy Play Sticks Americans with the Bill

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • April 6, 2023

Originally published in Newsweek President Joe Biden‘s muddled approval of oil exploration in Alaska—and his move last month to increase offshore drilling—are textbook examples of the perils of trying…

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Education

No real education reform without school choice. Bigger budgets won’t do enough.

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 5, 2023

Originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Flooding public schools with more money won’t deliver educational opportunity for every student. Equitable opportunity requires that every student has access to the educational…

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Fairness

A surefire way to destroy your political enemies

  • Jennifer Stefano
  • April 4, 2023

Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Our modern political life has wrought many ills. The fastest spreading contagion is no longer viewing fellow Americans with ideologies different from our…

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Prosperity

What is real freedom?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • April 2, 2023

Originally published at LNP Gov. Josh Shapiro likes to talk about “real freedom” — a familiar campaign promise repeated eight times in his inaugural speech and twice in his…

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Public Union Democracy

Gov. Shapiro should represent workers over powerful campaign donors

  • Andrew Holman
  • March 28, 2023

Originally published in The Mercury Gov. Josh Shapiro frequently touts his commitment to “real freedom.” But delivering that freedom to all Pennsylvanians depends on whether he chooses to side…

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Prosperity

Pennsylvanians in poverty need government to get out of the way

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2023

Originally published in The Patriot-News Who is in poverty—and why—is often mischaracterized by both the political right and left. Some blame the poor for lacking a work ethic.

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State Budget

Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls Short

  • Andrew Holman, Nathan Benefield
  • March 19, 2023

Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal perpetuates unsustainable spending and fails to address the most promising ideas he put forward during his campaign. For…

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