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

The Property Tax Relief Scholarship Act

  • April 13, 2006

It is “like throwing gasoline on a fire,” said G. Terry Madonna, a political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Reivew. The idea is “definitely…

Media

Read More: The Property Tax Relief Scholarship Act

Regulation

They could have thought of a better title

  • April 12, 2006

The Pittsbuhgh Post-Gazette titled their story, “Use casino revenue for school vouchers, group suggests.” I guess that’s better than “Dirty Gambling Money to Undermine the Separation of Church and…

Media

Read More: They could have thought of a better title

Taxes & Economy

New, Better Property Tax Relief Proposal – Media Coverage

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 12, 2006

Patriot News “Breaking News” coverage of our Property Tax Relief Scholarship proposal. Get our press release, or download our Policy Brief for more details and district-specific property…

Media

Read More: New, Better Property Tax Relief Proposal – Media Coverage

Health Care

Health care for everyone?

  • April 11, 2006

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney writes in today’s Wall Street Journal that he believes he’s found a way to provide health care for everyone, with “no new taxes, no employer…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

Governor Rendell: The Era of Big Government is Just Beginning

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 10, 2006

Two Gems from Governor Rendell in The Scranton Times-Tribune: “Rendell says voters have a clear choice between a candidate who talks of cutting taxes and limiting spending – Swann…

Media

Read More: Governor Rendell: The Era of Big Government is Just Beginning

State Budget

Are they really “Fake” Republicans?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 10, 2006

OpinionJournal – John Fund on the Trail: “‘The Republican Party is now principally moderate, if not liberal’ on spending, Mr. Specter told reporters after a majority of GOP senators…

Media

Read More: Are they really “Fake” Republicans?

Taxes & Economy

Renouce the “Faith”

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 10, 2006

NOTE: This commentary was originally published on June 15, 2004. Politicians are fond of saying, "Government doesn't create jobs, the private sector does." Yet the machinations of state and federal…

Commentary

Read More: Renouce the “Faith”

Taxes & Economy

“Populism in pursuit of power preservation”

  • April 9, 2006

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Colin McNickle has a few thoughts on the House’s passage of the minimum wage bill last week. Here’s an excerpt from today’s commentary, “Stop supporting fake…

Media

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Taxes & Economy

China’s Economic Development Lessons for Pennsylvania

  • April 8, 2006

NOTE: This commentary was originally published on April 19, 2004. Tax Day 2004 has come and gone, and as Pennsylvanians wrote their annual big checks to big government, they should…

Commentary

Read More: China’s Economic Development Lessons for Pennsylvania

State Budget

CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 2006

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 6, 2006

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released their annual Pig Book yesterday, which indentifies $29 billion of pork-spending (defined as requests by members of Congress for special projects) in the…

Media

Read More: CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 2006

Taxes & Economy

PA Personal Income Growth Still Lagging Behind

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 28, 2006

Release from the BEA this morning on State Personal Income 2005. Pennsylvania ranked 37th in personal income growth in 2005, not as low as past years, but below the…

Media

Read More: PA Personal Income Growth Still Lagging Behind

Taxes & Economy

Wages of Politics

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 28, 2006

Wall Street Journal on the minimum wage.

Media

Read More: Wages of Politics

Regulation

“That’s the way the system works”

  • March 28, 2006

Alletown Morning Call editorial on the “Quiet bump for legislators’ pensions adds to outrage over 2005 pay-grab“: Of the lawmakers retiring, 17 will see their pension benefit improve because…

Media

Read More: “That’s the way the system works”

Regulation

War on Wal-Mart coming to PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 28, 2006

From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Best quote: “Wal-Mart is trying to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.” Those heathens, trying to compete against unionized stores.

Media

Read More: War on Wal-Mart coming to PA

Regulation

Pay Raise and Pensions Linked

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 27, 2006

Coverage of the pay raise and pension link from Centre Daily Times, citing Rick Dreyfuss and our pension study.

Media

Read More: Pay Raise and Pensions Linked

Education

PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentary

  • March 26, 2006

Equal time was given to Tim Allwein of the PA School Boards Association to offer a rebutal to my commentary in last Sunday’s Patriot-News. Fair game. It should…

Media

Read More: PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentary

Regulation

State lawmakers look to boost their pensions

  • March 26, 2006

Alison Hawkes in the Herald-Standard on the pension COLA debate. Side-Note: We’re not sure where, when, or why we started being called a “libertarian” think tank (although I think…

Media

Read More: State lawmakers look to boost their pensions

Regulation

Raise repealed, but not retired

  • March 26, 2006

Philadelphia Inquirer highlights the benefits for retiring lawmakers, most of whom took the “unvouchered expenses” which boosted their pension payouts.

Media

Read More: Raise repealed, but not retired