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.

Taxes & Economy

How to Increase Economic Growth

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • October 3, 2019

The following testimony was given at the Pennsylvania Fiscal and Economic Summit at York College on August 22.       Good afternoon.  Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you…

Testimony

Read More: How to Increase Economic Growth

Regulation

Mimosa Monopoly

  • Tirzah Duren
  • October 2, 2019

Pennsylvania is waging a secret war on millennials. Okay, maybe not on millennials, but definitely on brunch, and that’s pretty much the same thing. The deleterious effect of Pennsylvania’s sky-high…

Media

Read More: Mimosa Monopoly

State Budget

How to Improve State Budgeting Practices

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • October 1, 2019

The following testimony was given at the Pennsylvania Fiscal and Economic Summit at York College on August 22, 2019. Thank you for the opportunity to address you this morning on…

Testimony

Read More: How to Improve State Budgeting Practices

Regulation

The Liquor Control Board is a Jobs Program, Not a Business

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • September 30, 2019

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) recently announced “record sales and record net income” for the year ended June 30th. Such wording is the language of a business proudly…

Media

Read More: The Liquor Control Board is a Jobs Program, Not a Business

Regulation

The Broken Promise of Flexible Liquor Pricing

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • September 11, 2019

The Liquor Control Board told the public it would use its expanded pricing powers for consumer benefit.  Instead it has used them to benefit only itself.

Memo

Read More: The Broken Promise of Flexible Liquor Pricing

Health Care

Sen. Martin Introduces Bill to Protect Safety Net

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 5, 2019

Steve Blazer of Surge Staffing is taking an unusual approach to filling hundreds of open warehouse positions: attending job fairs at state prisons. Steve’s struggle to find workers is…

Media

Read More: Sen. Martin Introduces Bill to Protect Safety Net

Regulation

Black Market Lemonade

  • September 3, 2019

Lemonade stands are about as American as apple pie and baseball. Kids all over the country set up their stands hoping to earn a little spending money. Often, this is…

Media

Read More: Black Market Lemonade

Taxes & Economy

Restore PA Doubles Down on Taxes

  • August 29, 2019

Pennsylvania native and founding father Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “The problem with common sense is, it isn’t.” As with so very many things in the political sphere, in Governor Wolf’s…

Media

Read More: Restore PA Doubles Down on Taxes

Taxes & Economy

Pennsylvania’s Economy Is Not Indicative of Its Business Climate

  • Tirzah Duren
  • August 23, 2019

Pennsylvania’s economy is the most diverse in America. With the release of the latest Bloomberg Economic Diversity Index, Pennsylvania surpassed both Colorado and Texas to claim the top spot. The benefit…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania’s Economy Is Not Indicative of Its Business Climate

State Budget

The Taxpayer Protection Act Is Commonsense

  • Tirzah Duren
  • August 21, 2019

For over a decade, various lawmakers have introduced Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA) legislation to get a handle on Pennsylvania’s out of control budget. This overspending hurts our economy, drives away…

Media

Read More: The Taxpayer Protection Act Is Commonsense

State Budget

Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 1

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • August 21, 2019

Pennsylvania's largest budget items are growing unsustainably fast. The budget can only be brought under control only if these cost drivers are addressed.

Fact Sheet

Read More: Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 1

Regulation

Cigarette Taxes Target the Poor

  • Tirzah Duren
  • August 12, 2019

The founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, believed strong liberty of conscience was essential to a flourishing society. But Pennsylvania’s current slough of sin taxes shrug off Penn’s warning. Pennsylvania’s sin…

Media

Read More: Cigarette Taxes Target the Poor

Regulation

Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps Taking

  • Tirzah Duren
  • August 6, 2019

Less than a year ago Pennsylvania’s state government offered Amazon billions in tax incentives to bring its HQ-2 location here. Amazon said no. But, when the commerce giant decided to open…

Media

Read More: Corporate Welfare Is the Gift That Just Keeps Taking

State Budget

A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a Mistake

  • Andrew Abramczyk
  • August 5, 2019

In June, when the state legislature passed the budget, they included something extra: a $673 million “supplemental appropriation” to cover overspending in the previous fiscal year. In other words, the Wolf…

Media

Read More: A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a Mistake

Public Union Democracy

Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCME

  • Jessica Barnett
  • August 2, 2019

One year after Janus unions lost significant fee-based revenue, fee-payers largely remain non-union, and existing members—frequently unaware of the ruling or restricted from resigning—often maintain membership…

Memo

Read More: Government Unions One Year after Janus v. AFSCME

Taxes & Economy

The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty Problem

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • August 2, 2019

In 2012, lawmakers ended a small cash welfare program called General Assistance. Despite all the recent Democratic hubbub, none of the members actually tried to restart the program through the…

Media

Read More: The Battle Over General Assistance and Our Poverty Problem

Regulation

No More Food Stamps for Millionaires

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • July 31, 2019

Leroy Fick won $2 million playing the Michigan lottery. He bought a new home and a costly car, all while collecting taxpayer-funded food stamps. Fick and stories like his…

Media

Read More: No More Food Stamps for Millionaires

State Budget

Pennsylvania is NOT Taking Care of Business

  • July 24, 2019

Pennsylvania is the 5th worst state to start a business, according to a new study by Wallethub. Only Connecticut, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island fare worse. Then,…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania is NOT Taking Care of Business

Taxes & Economy

Tax Data Agrees, Everyone Wins from Tax Reform

  • Tirzah Duren
  • July 22, 2019

Who benefits from tax reform? That question has been a hot topic since the 2017 passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and the answer is everyone.  However,…

Media

Read More: Tax Data Agrees, Everyone Wins from Tax Reform

Regulation

Government-Run Booze Losing Across the Nation: Will Pa. be Next?

  • July 18, 2019

The Supreme Court delivered several high-profile rulings this summer on issues including partisan gerrymandering and the census citizenship question. A lesser-known case, Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association v. Thomas, will also…

Media

Read More: Government-Run Booze Losing Across the Nation: Will Pa. be Next?