Every family, business owner, and taxpayer in Pennsylvania should be able to increase their financial security without undue interference from our state government. Free-market policies that limit taxes, allow entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs, and offer stability to families will put our state on track to become a national leader. Policies that enact spending limits, cut taxes, and reduce regulations will help Pennsylvania avoid debt and restore sound fiscal planning that will benefit citizens in the years to come.

Government Accountability

Pa?s unemployment rate down in May, but still at near-record levels

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 22, 2020

More than 13% of Pennsylvania workers were officially unemployed in May, according to U.S. Department of Labor data released Friday. That’s an improvement from April’s record-setting 15.1% unemployment rate, but still the second highest rate…

Media

Read More: Pa?s unemployment rate down in May, but still at near-record levels

Criminal Justice Reform

Legislation Moves to Reform Licensing Laws for Citizens with Criminal Records

  • Jessica Barnett
  • June 16, 2020

With a unanimous committee vote, the state House has opened the door to prosperity for 3 million Pennsylvanians. This week, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee passed legislation helping incarcerated citizens…

Media

Read More: Legislation Moves to Reform Licensing Laws for Citizens with Criminal Records

Government Accountability

Top 10 PLCB Boondoggles

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • June 9, 2020

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has survived debacle after debacle. The closures around COVID-19 are just the most recent example of the PLCB's incompetence. Here are the top 10 PLCB…

Commentary

Read More: Top 10 PLCB Boondoggles

Government Accountability

Fed Data Shows Wolf’s Shutdown Caused Unemployment Spike

  • Michael Torres
  • June 5, 2020

June 5, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s shutdown was done earlier, was more expansive, and had fewer exemptions than most other states, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of…

Media

Read More: Fed Data Shows Wolf’s Shutdown Caused Unemployment Spike

Regulation

PLCB is Bad for Business

  • June 2, 2020

The PLCB harms Pa. businesses in an industry that has been decimated by COVID-19.

Fact Sheet

Read More: PLCB is Bad for Business

Regulation

PLCB’s Mishandling of COVID-19

  • June 1, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has shown the state liquor control board's inability to provide Pennsylvanian's the service the deserve.

Fact Sheet

Read More: PLCB’s Mishandling of COVID-19

Regulation

Economic Aspects of Liquor Privatization

  • May 28, 2020

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is a highly unprofitable monopoly with extraordinary powers that have recently been used to increase prices and harm businesses.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Economic Aspects of Liquor Privatization

Government Accountability

Solutions to Preventing Tax Increases in 2021

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 26, 2020

Lawmakers can respect the Pennsylvania constitution’s balanced budget amendment and act to prevent tax increases that will drive more families and businesses out of the state, further shrinking the revenue…

Memo

Read More: Solutions to Preventing Tax Increases in 2021

Health Care

How Bad are April’s Unemployment Numbers for Pa?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 22, 2020

More than 15% of Pennsylvania workers were unemployed—the highest level on record—according to U.S. Department of Labor data released today. More than 1.1 million payroll jobs were lost since February,…

Media

Read More: How Bad are April’s Unemployment Numbers for Pa?

Government Accountability

Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 3

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • May 20, 2020

The state government uses special entities to borrow in excess of the constitutional debt limit and make loans and guarantees that would otherwise be illegal.

Report

Read More: Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 3

Taxes & Economy

Wolf Does What Lawmakers Want Him to Do, Just Slower

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 19, 2020

The reality is this: when Wolf vetoes a bill, he often follows his veto with similar executive action later, taking credit for the changes. This has been true since he…

Commentary

Read More: Wolf Does What Lawmakers Want Him to Do, Just Slower

Health Care

Liquor Licensing: Too Hot for PLCB to Handle

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 12, 2020

For restaurant owners in Pennsylvania, the new release Too Hot To Handle is more than pure entertainment, the winnings are almost enough for them to purchase an elusive liquor license. …

Commentary

Read More: Liquor Licensing: Too Hot for PLCB to Handle

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods

  • Nathan Benefield
  • May 6, 2020

Wolf should take state lawmakers’ advice and bring transparency and fairness to Pennsylvania’s reopening — along with a sense of urgency. In doing so, he can continue flattening the curve…

Commentary

Read More: Op-ed: Protect lives by preserving livelihoods

Health Care

Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Should Always be Crisis Ready

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 6, 2020

COVID-19 has done its part to highlight the weaknesses of Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector. Primarily, what has been revealed is a lack of flexibility, and regulations that make it difficult to…

Report

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Should Always be Crisis Ready

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania Turnpike Blues

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • May 6, 2020

A sudden drop in traffic has exposed the toll road's reckless debt load.

Commentary

Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike Blues

Government Accountability

Op-ed: Pennsylvania construction shutdown puts the elderly at risk

  • Kevin Mooney
  • May 5, 2020

Industry leaders who are directly affected by the governor’s orders do not dispute that Wolf has authority to take action aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19. But it’s that…

Commentary

Read More: Op-ed: Pennsylvania construction shutdown puts the elderly at risk

Health Care

Breaking Down Barriers Following COVID-19

  • Tirzah Duren
  • May 1, 2020

COVID-19 has kept many Pennsylvanians from frequenting the neighborhood coffee shops, nail salons, or retailers they once took for granted. But that’s not the real tragedy—even after stay at home…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Breaking Down Barriers Following COVID-19

Health Care

Top 10 Corona Virus FAQ’s for Pennsylvanians

  • April 30, 2020

Since the COVID-19 pandemic spread to Pennsylvania, we’ve been deluged with questions about what state government is doing. Below are the top 10 questions we’ve been asked with our quick…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Top 10 Corona Virus FAQ’s for Pennsylvanians