Energy
Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwide
Originally published at the New York Post Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 election. And new polling from my organization makes clear energy may be the deciding…
Read More: Fracking could decide the election in Pennsylvania — and nationwideEvery 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.
Related Issues
Taxes & Economy
Senate moves to curb eminent domain
News release from Sen. Piccola…. Senate Approves Piccola’s Landmark Eminent Domain Reform HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Whip Jeffrey Piccola (R-15) commended the Senate today for unanimously passing his “Property…
Media
Read More: Senate moves to curb eminent domainTaxes & Economy
House Dems Push for Increased Labor Costs in PA
In a seldom-used parliamentary maneuver, House Democrats may utilize House Rule 53 to discharge House Bill 257, legislation which would increase Pennsylvania’s starting wage by nearly 40% — from $5.15…
Media
Read More: House Dems Push for Increased Labor Costs in PATaxes & Economy
Rendell to veto tax cuts
Governor Rendell promises to veto the tax cuts just passed by the General Assembly. His reason: “lawmakers did not pair the legislation with a corresponding spending cut.” Governor Rendell,…
Media
Read More: Rendell to veto tax cutsTaxes & Economy
Minimum Wage: The Faux Pay Raise
This Philadelphia Daily News editorial represents the general economic ignorance among people who think government can artificially increase the cost of labor without any negatives consequences. The reality is…
Media
Read More: Minimum Wage: The Faux Pay RaiseTaxes & Economy
General Assembly Passes Tax Cuts, Sends to Gov. Rendell for Signature
Two Senate news releases (Piccola and Thompson)on the Senate’s concurrence of a PIT and CNI tax rate reduction… Piccola Calls on Governor to Sign Tax Cuts into Law HARRISBURG…
Media
Read More: General Assembly Passes Tax Cuts, Sends to Gov. Rendell for SignatureTaxes & Economy
Lower Taxes = Economic Growth
An analyis of population data and taxes finds that states with low taxes attract residents fleeing states with high taxes: The Heartland Institute – Taxes Fuel Historic American Migration…
Media
Read More: Lower Taxes = Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
Coalition (for Higher Taxes and Unlimited Government Spending) hopes to stop cap on state spending
The Harrisburg Patriot-News highlights the effort to limit the increases in state government spending. While the beneficiaries of higher government spending want to keep their unlimited access to taxpayers’…
Media
Read More: Coalition (for Higher Taxes and Unlimited Government Spending) hopes to stop cap on state spendingTaxes & Economy
Governor Rendell: “I’m very optimistic that before Christmas we will have a property tax bill on my desk that I can sign”
Although Governor Rendell thinks the General Assembly will come up with a school property tax shift before December 25, Pennsylvanians should not be expecting much from the Harrisburg Santa…
Media
Read More: Governor Rendell: “I’m very optimistic that before Christmas we will have a property tax bill on my desk that I can sign”Taxes & Economy
We all lose when Government tries to pick winners
This Times Leader story highlights how government should not be in the “economic development” business. The best thing government could do for our economy is GET OUT OF THE…
Media
Read More: We all lose when Government tries to pick winnersTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania can break new ground in protecting property owners from abusive land-takings
Legislation to curb the abuse of eminent domain will likely be moving through the General Assembly this week. Read this commentary from the Institute for Justice. This libertarian public…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania can break new ground in protecting property owners from abusive land-takingsTaxes & Economy
Rendell will veto business tax break
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review … “Rendell emphatically said he would veto any legislation that would lower business taxes but not provide substitute funds. ‘I would have to veto…
Media
Read More: Rendell will veto business tax breakTaxes & Economy
They’re Taking Away Your Property for What?
An interesting eminent domain article from the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal.
Media
Read More: They’re Taking Away Your Property for What?Taxes & Economy
From Hopeless to Hopeful
On November 16, the legislators handed Gov. Rendell a bill to repeal the General Assembly’s July 7 pay and pension grab. The Governor promptly signed the measure without fanfare. Only…
Commentary
Read More: From Hopeless to HopefulTaxes & Economy
Private Property & Liberty
Good afternoon. My name is Matt Brouillette, and I am president & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, a public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg. We develop and…
Commentary
Read More: Private Property & LibertyTaxes & Economy
President’s Address: Advancing Ideas Whose Time Have Come
"As we celebrate these first recipients of our Speaker Franklin Awards, I’m reminded of the great British Statesman Edmund Burke who once said: “All that is necessary for the triumph…
Commentary
Read More: President’s Address: Advancing Ideas Whose Time Have ComeState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation Bills
Pennsylvania is Exhibit #1 proving the axiom: “You can have government growth, or you can have economic growth, but you can’t have both!” For years, Pennsylvania public policy has increased…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation BillsTaxes & Economy
Protect Private Property from Eminent Domain Abuse
Thank you for the opportunity to address the issue of Eminent Domain. My name is Matt Brouillette, and I am president & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, a research and…
Commentary
Read More: Protect Private Property from Eminent Domain AbuseTaxes & Economy
Minimum Wage: Facts
Proponents of artificial increases in the government-mandated minimum wage argue, among other things, that raising the hourly minimum wage will help to lift families with children out of poverty and…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Minimum Wage: FactsTaxes & Economy
Minimum Wage Politics, Bad Economic Policy
It wasn’t a corporate executive who said, “Right now Pennsylvania businesses carry a very high tax burden compared to states we compete with. We’re [a] very heavily taxed business state….
Commentary
Read More: Minimum Wage Politics, Bad Economic PolicyTaxes & Economy
Reform Government’s Claim on Your Domain
Pennsylvanians never really own their homes—they only “rent” them from the government. Don’t believe me? Just stop paying your school and county property taxes and you’ll find out who actually…
Commentary
Read More: Reform Government’s Claim on Your DomainTaxes & Economy
The Effects of the Proposed Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Increase
In recent years, the movement to enact “living wages” or increases in the minimum wage has been active in states and cities across the country. Advocates of these wage hikes…
Report
Read More: The Effects of the Proposed Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Increase