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

#254 on the Liberty Index lives up (down?) to his ranking

  • January 31, 2006

Philly Democratic Senator Vince Fumo (who scored the worst on our Liberty Index) has proposed a graduated income tax to further punish the producers in Pennsylvania. Nevermind that the “rich”…

Media

Read More: #254 on the Liberty Index lives up (down?) to his ranking

Taxes & Economy

House fails to override veto of tax cut

  • January 31, 2006

Patriot-News story on yesterday’s action in the House where many Democrats who originally supported tax cuts renegged on their suppport.

Media

Read More: House fails to override veto of tax cut

Taxes & Economy

Minimum logic

  • January 28, 2006

A small businessman says, in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, how he’ll deal with Rendell’s minimum wage increase … let go employees. Of course, those pushing this Fascist economic policy…

Media

Read More: Minimum logic

Taxes & Economy

The Politics of Ever-Expanding Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2006

A quality essay by Steven Malanga on how the recipients of increased government spending support increased government spending. Taxpayers are footing the bill for lobbying by by governments and…

Media

Read More: The Politics of Ever-Expanding Government

Regulation

How to milk the system

  • January 25, 2006

Pension ruling for judge could ‘open floodgates’ to other claims, says a dissenting judge on the Commonwealth Court. By this court’s reasoning, I should be able to collect money…

Media

Read More: How to milk the system

Education

A government big enough to give you everything you want …

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 25, 2006

There is a theory (articulate in a piece by Mark Bauerlein) that left-wing academics are engrossed in large scale group think, that when large numbers of the radical left…

Media

Read More: A government big enough to give you everything you want …

Taxes & Economy

Higher minimum wage will hurt state

  • January 25, 2006

The Morning Call reprinted my letter to the governor in today’s newspaper. Also, tune in to WHP 580 AM today from 3-4pm when I will be debating a representative…

Media

Read More: Higher minimum wage will hurt state

Public Union Democracy

Why Maryland is fighting windmills.

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 23, 2006

A George Will piece (Getting mugged in Maryland), explaining why the Maryland legislature has decided to attack the paper tiger of Wal-Mart. Will cites Wal-Mart’s ample benefits and pay,…

Media

Read More: Why Maryland is fighting windmills.

Taxes & Economy

Letter to Gov. Rendell on the Minimum Wage

  • January 23, 2006

January 23, 2006 Governor Edward G. Rendell225 Main Capitol BuildingHarrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Dear Governor Rendell, I understand that politicians sometimes change their policy positions. And I probably don’t…

Commentary

Read More: Letter to Gov. Rendell on the Minimum Wage

Taxes & Economy

Not so fast, Eddie

  • January 22, 2006

Jake Haulk of the Allegheny Institute further demonstrates the folly of government-directed “economic development.” Indeed, Pennsylvania has been a leader among states in using tax dollars to “create jobs,” yet…

Media

Read More: Not so fast, Eddie

Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage; Maximum Ignorance

  • January 19, 2006

Gov. Rendell cozied up to his labor union buddies today with his push for an artificial increase in labor costs in PA of nearly 40%. (Remember, Rendell agreed with us…

Media

Read More: Minimum Wage; Maximum Ignorance

State Budget

How about the people paying the bills???

  • January 18, 2006

Well, the Senate released its schedule for the 2006-07 Budget hearings. After Gov. Rendell presents his $24-25 BILLION taxpayer tab in early February to the General Assembly, the Senate has…

Media

Read More: How about the people paying the bills???

Regulation

Public Pensions Running Wild

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 17, 2006

A National Center for Policy Analysis summary of facts about state and local government pensions. The bottom line is that states continue to enhance benefits far beyond private sector…

Media

Read More: Public Pensions Running Wild

Education

“Living in an alternate universe”

  • January 16, 2006

The Brownsville Area School District recently voted to give administrators some retirement benefits that no private sector would even consider–Nine years of free healthcare insurance for retiring early. As The…

Media

Read More: “Living in an alternate universe”

Regulation

The pensions crunch

  • January 13, 2006

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on pensions in the private sector. You think its bad at IBM, Verizon, et al. Just wait til you see what’s going on in state…

Media

Read More: The pensions crunch

Taxes & Economy

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

  • January 13, 2006

From the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal… Poll: Taxes are most pressing problem What’s the most pressing problem facing the state? The answer is taxes…

Media

Read More: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

Health Care

Maryland’s Wal-Mart Bill: Coming to PA?

  • January 13, 2006

From the National Federation of Independent Businesses… Maryland lawmakers voted this week to over-ride a veto by Gov. Robert Erlich of a bill that will force Wal-Mart and other companies…

Media

Read More: Maryland’s Wal-Mart Bill: Coming to PA?

Health Care

Maryland Senate seeks control over Wal-Mart

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 12, 2006

The Maryland Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of the “Wal-Mart Bill” (Financial News – Yahoo! Finance), so called because it applies only to one company in the…

Media

Read More: Maryland Senate seeks control over Wal-Mart

Education

Referendum exemption is blackmail

  • January 10, 2006

From the York Dispatch… Thumbs Down to Rep. Stan Saylor’s proposal to amend property tax reform legislation to an extent that renders taxpayer approval impotent when it comes to increases…

Media

Read More: Referendum exemption is blackmail

Public Union Democracy

The best of the best, of course

  • January 8, 2006

The Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System and the Public School Retirement System are the envy of the government worker world. They are the most generous systems in the entire country.

Media

Read More: The best of the best, of course

Regulation

Go to HBG to do good, but end up doing well, very well

  • January 8, 2006

The retirement of many long-time legislators is opening up the eyes of many to the very generous pensions. See The Citizens Voice story by Michael Race, Stepping out to…

Media

Read More: Go to HBG to do good, but end up doing well, very well