Regulation
Pennsylvania’s red tape is a red flag for would-be business owners
Originally published at Broad + Liberty When it comes to zip codes, Americans are dating around. The rise in remote work has changed how people choose their hometowns, allowing…
Read More: Pennsylvania’s red tape is a red flag for would-be business ownersPennsylvania’s notoriously high level of regulation is a burden on our state economy. To make the Keystone State a competitive place to live, work, or grow a business, reforms are needed to rein in the regulatory process. Taxpayers deserve a streamlined regulatory process that scrutinizes proposed regulations to ensure frivolous reforms do not overburden the state economy and do not prevent job-seekers from accessing employment.
Regulation
Film Tax Credit Draws Bad Reviews
Be it Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, Denzel Washington in Fences, or Gerard Butler in Law Abiding Citizen—everyone loves to see their favorite movie stars come to the neighborhood. This, combined…
Media
Read More: Film Tax Credit Draws Bad ReviewsRegulation
Budget Solution of the Week: Reduce Special Interest Spending
In our budget solutions blog series, we’ve covered the benefits of a government efficiency review, the need to modernize the commonwealth’s corrections system, and the importance of…
Media
Read More: Budget Solution of the Week: Reduce Special Interest SpendingRegulation
State Budget Solution #2: Liquor Privatization
Getting Government Out of the Booze Business Could Bring $1 Billion+ Windfall January 19, 2017, Harrisburg, Pa.—This week marks the 98th anniversary of the ratification of the…
Press Release
Read More: State Budget Solution #2: Liquor PrivatizationPublic Union Democracy
The Inquirer’s Problematic Budget Prescriptions
A Philadelphia Inquirer editorial urges optimism about the forthcoming state budget debate. It’s certainly well-warranted. Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders have repeatedly expressed interest in redesigning state government to…
Media
Read More: The Inquirer’s Problematic Budget PrescriptionsRegulation
Phila. Cigarette Tax to be Levied on Non-Philadelphia, Non-Smokers
Since Philadelphia residents aren’t buying enough cigarettes, taxpayers across the state will chip in millions to fund Philadelphia schools. Huh? Julie Shaw of Philly.com attempts to make sense of…
Media
Read More: Phila. Cigarette Tax to be Levied on Non-Philadelphia, Non-SmokersRegulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2017
Pennsylvania fell further into a financial hole during the month of December. According to the Department of Revenue, total General Fund collections came in $105.2 million below the state's official estimate. This marks…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2017Education
A Christmas Wish List for Pennsylvania
“No more lives torn apart, and wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts.” You might recognize those words from the ubiquitous-around-the-holidays song, “Grown-Up Christmas List.” Grown up? Sure.
Commentary
Read More: A Christmas Wish List for PennsylvaniaCriminal Justice Reform
Embracing Innovation in State Government
Conventional governing is hampering Pennsylvania’s progress. Growing state budgets combined with one-time revenue transfers and targeted tax hikes are delaying the structural reforms essential to improving the quality…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Embracing Innovation in State GovernmentRegulation
A Turning Point in Pennsylvania?s Budget Debate?
Pennsylvania must confront a $604 million deficit, according to Budget Secretary Randy Albright. This sober assessment was offered during the mid-year budget briefing earlier today. The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO)…
Media
Read More: A Turning Point in Pennsylvania?s Budget Debate?Public Union Democracy
Watch for Sweeping Changes Outside the Beltway
The political landscape has experienced a seismic shift, and it isn't centered in Washington DC. This past weekend Kyle Peterson of the Wall Street Journal highlighted Pennsylvania and six other…
Media
Read More: Watch for Sweeping Changes Outside the BeltwayRegulation
The PLCB: A Winner in a Race with No Competitors
In 2013, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) released its first annual report, emphasizing record sales and “profits.” Neither of these is impressive when analyzed in context, but the…
Media
Read More: The PLCB: A Winner in a Race with No CompetitorsRegulation
Don’t Wait on Washington for Manufacturing Jobs
During his campaign stops in Pennsylvania, President-elect Donald Trump touted his intention to bring manufacturing jobs back to the state. That’s a worthy goal, but the truth…
Commentary
Read More: Don’t Wait on Washington for Manufacturing JobsRegulation
What Pennsylvania’s Budget Trends Mean for You
State government is growing at a startling rate. Since 1970, spending has risen by $4,010 per person—an inflation-adjusted increase of 189 percent. This is one of many findings in our…
Media
Read More: What Pennsylvania’s Budget Trends Mean for YouEducation
Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative Session
That's a wrap. The 2015-16 legislative session is officially in the history books. Despite a $650 million tax hike, Pennsylvanians have a lot to celebrate from the past two years.
Media
Read More: Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative SessionRegulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: December 2016
State revenue collections came in at $79.5 million below the official estimate for November, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Lackluster collections wiped away the little progress made during October when revenue collections…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: December 2016Regulation
New IFO Report Emphasizes Need to Reform Spending
New IFO Report Emphasizes Need to Reform Spending State Faces up to $900 Million Budget Hole This Year November 16, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—Yesterday’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) mid-year…
Press Release
Read More: New IFO Report Emphasizes Need to Reform SpendingRegulation
Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: November 2016
Last month we raised concerns about Pennsylvania's fiscal trajectory. At the time, state revenue collections were more than $218 million below the official estimate. The current revenue picture is slightly…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: November 2016Education
Can a Dwight Schrute Save Scranton?
Dwight K. Schrute is an employee at Dunder Mifflin—a fictional Scranton paper company featured in NBC’s The Office. And he just may be the key to overcoming the city’s very…
Media
Read More: Can a Dwight Schrute Save Scranton?Regulation
Who Pays for SEPTA?
News reports today indicate SEPTA (the public transit agency serving the Philadelphia region) came to an agreement with the Transportation Workers Union Local 234—ending a six-day strike just before election…
Media
Read More: Who Pays for SEPTA?Public Union Democracy
Missed Opportunities: Fall Legislative Session
Three critical bills stalled last week amidst a flurry of last minute legislative activity. Failure to reform pensions, repeal the e-cigarette tax, and prohibit ghost teaching were missed opportunities that…
Media
Read More: Missed Opportunities: Fall Legislative SessionPublic Union Democracy
Union Leaders Kill Critical Pension Reform at Members’ and Taxpayers’ Expense
Union Leaders Kill Critical Pension Reform at Members’ and Taxpayers’ Expense Reform Could Have Freed Public Employees from Restrictive, Failing Pension System October 27, 2016, Harrisburg, Pa.—In a…
Press Release
Read More: Union Leaders Kill Critical Pension Reform at Members’ and Taxpayers’ Expense