Prosperity
Ending Poverty Starts With Increasing Work And Paychecks, Not Government Budgets
Originally published at The Federalist Lawmakers across the spectrum agree that poverty is a perennial crisis. But if they are ever going to come together to find an effective…
Read More: Ending Poverty Starts With Increasing Work And Paychecks, Not Government BudgetsMany Pennsylvanians face chronic unemployment, welfare dependency, and the cycle of poverty. This happens because labor incentives have been overridden by bad policies that keep millions out of the workforce and enact excessive red tape. We can reverse this trend by ending the practice of waiving work requirements on able-bodied Pennsylvanians with no dependents, removing barriers to employment for those seeking a fresh start, and creating a healthcare system without burdensome regulations.
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Health Care
Senate Acts to Improve Health Access, Lower Costs
All Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality, affordable health care. That's why it was encouraging to see the Senate advance SB 25 out of the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee.
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Reforming Medicaid Is a Moral Imperative
Note: This op-ed was originally published in the Lancaster LNP. Do you know someone who desperately needs medical care but can’t access it? Few things are more heartbreaking. Helping people…
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7 Ways to Fix Health Care on the 7th Anniversary of Obamacare
Seven years ago, Obamacare became the law of the land. Later today, the US House is scheduled to vote on a controversial repeal and replace bill. While the outcome in Washington…
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Policy Points: After ObamaCare
Obamacare increased the number of people holding insurance cards but failed to increase access to quality and affordable health services. It’s time to put patients, not government bureaucrats, in charge…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Policy Points: After ObamaCareHealth Care
Obamacare: Say No to Status Quo
A recent WSJ/NBC poll shows almost everyone supports reforming Obamacare. Only 4% think Obamacare is working well as is. A majority (52%) think it needs a major overhaul or…
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Double-Down on Reinventing Government
Imagine if Stephen King had written Green Eggs and Ham. What if Dr. Seuss had penned The Shining? Gov. Wolf’s third budget address was an equally disorienting shift in tone…
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Read More: Double-Down on Reinventing GovernmentState Budget
Budget Solution of the Week: Welfare Reform
No series on budget solutions would be complete without a taking a look at the fastest growing state department, the Department of Human Services (DHS). The Independent Fiscal Office projects…
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The Case for Block Granting Medicaid
Governor Wolf is decrying efforts in Washington to give states more control over Medicaid through a block grant. This will have a devastating impact for many Pennsylvanians, and…
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4 Obamacare Failures & How to Fix Them
For almost seven years the benefits of Obamacare have been exaggerated and the costs severely underestimated. As repeal efforts gain momentum, many are understandably uncomfortable about another dramatic shift in…
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Read More: 4 Obamacare Failures & How to Fix ThemCriminal Justice Reform
Budget Solution of the Week: Corrections Reform
The Department of Corrections (DOC) recently announced its intentions to close two state prisons and reduce capacity at community corrections facilities (halfway houses). These decisions will cut state incarceration…
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Read More: Budget Solution of the Week: Corrections ReformCriminal Justice Reform
Embracing Innovation in State Government
Conventional governing is hampering Pennsylvania’s progress. Growing state budgets combined with one-time revenue transfers and targeted tax hikes are delaying the structural reforms essential to improving the quality…
Fact Sheet
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Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative Session
That's a wrap. The 2015-16 legislative session is officially in the history books. Despite a $650 million tax hike, Pennsylvanians have a lot to celebrate from the past two years.
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Read More: Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative SessionHealth Care
Painful Year for Pennsylvanians on the Obamacare Exchange
Today marks the fifth open enrollment season for Obamacare's insurance exchange. As predicted, premiums continue to skyrocket. In fact, Pennsylvania's premium increases are among the highest in the…
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Record Premium Hikes Hit Pa. Exchange
Pennsylvanians shopping on the health care exchange are in for a rude awakening. Yesterday the Insurance Department announced premiums for individual plans will increase by an average of 32…
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Read More: Record Premium Hikes Hit Pa. ExchangeCriminal Justice Reform
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Effort Gutted
North Philadelphian Carol Johnson* saved $2,000 from her pension checks by storing the money in an upstairs bedroom. One day, the 87 year old's savings vanished in a matter…
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Obamacare is Failing, But States can Bring Hope
Obamacare is struggling for survival. Despite victories in the courts, state exchanges are in trouble, and Medicaid expansion has been more costly than expected—with no evidence of improved health outcomes.
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Read More: Obamacare is Failing, But States can Bring HopeTaxes & Economy
Welfare to Work Helped Reduce Poverty
Twenty years ago President Clinton signed a law creating Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), better known as sweeping welfare reform grounded in work requirements. In 1996, 531,000 adults and…
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Read More: Welfare to Work Helped Reduce PovertyCriminal Justice Reform
Keystone Criminal Justice
As lifelong conservatives, we’re proud to call ourselves tough on crime and to support lengthy prison terms for dangerous felons. But after a long, taxpayer-funded era of mass incarceration, it’s…
Commentary
Read More: Keystone Criminal JusticeCriminal Justice Reform
My Journey to Commonwealth Foundation’s Board
How did a registered Democrat and the daughter of former Democratic Governor George Leader find a place on Commonwealth Foundation’s Board? …
Commentary
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Free Market Solution Expands Access to Care
Harmful regulations prevent Pennsylvania’s nurse practitioners—highly-trained medical professionals who interpret diagnostic tests, treat chronic conditions, and prescribe medication—from doing what they do best: providing quality health care for patients in…
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Improving Health Care Access While Cutting Costs
Is it possible to improve health care access while also cutting a costs? Yes—according to a recent study by Edward Timmons of the Mercatus Center. Writing in U.S.
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