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

Senate moves to curb eminent domain

  • December 7, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

House Dems Push for Increased Labor Costs in PA

  • December 7, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Rendell to veto tax cuts

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 6, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage: The Faux Pay Raise

  • December 6, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Lower Taxes = Economic Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 5, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

We all lose when Government tries to pick winners

  • December 4, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Rendell will veto business tax break

  • December 2, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

From Hopeless to Hopeful

  • November 30, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Private Property & Liberty

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 22, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

President’s Address: Advancing Ideas Whose Time Have Come

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 16, 2005

"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

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State Budget

Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation Bills

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • November 8, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Protect Private Property from Eminent Domain Abuse

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 26, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage: Facts

  • October 18, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Minimum Wage Politics, Bad Economic Policy

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • October 3, 2005

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

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Taxes & Economy

Reform Government’s Claim on Your Domain

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • September 19, 2005

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

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