Pennsylvania’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

A Guide to Corporate Welfare in Pennsylvania

  • April 6, 2017

Pennsylvania's culture of corporate welfare is pervasive. The current system rewards businesses for their lobbying prowess rather than their ability to effectively serve consumers' needs.

Commentary

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Regulation

House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal Stewardship

  • April 4, 2017

House Republicans committed to changing Pennsylvania yesterday. The caucus released its proposed 2017-18 budget, which stands in stark contrast to Gov. Wolf’s tax-and-spend proposals. The House Appropriations Committee has…

Media

Read More: House Budget Represents a Step Towards Fiscal Stewardship

Regulation

Senate Prepares New Pension Reform Bill

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 16, 2017

The state Senate is preparing to introduce a pension reform bill nearly identical to the compromise bill that fell three House votes short last fall.  Senator Pat Browne and Majority…

Media

Read More: Senate Prepares New Pension Reform Bill

Education

The Cost of Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis

  • Nathan Benefield
  • March 8, 2017

In recent Appropriation Committee hearings, Pennsylvania’s two statewide pension funds (PSERS and SERS) reported $62.2 billion in unfunded liabilities (or debt) that taxpayers must pay. This number—which assumes…

Media

Read More: The Cost of Pennsylvania’s Pension Crisis

Regulation

Protect Students, Not Subsidies

  • March 7, 2017

Gov. Wolf’s request to reduce tax credits by $100 million is causing a stir in the legislature. According to a Capitolwire story (paywall), Republicans raised objections on several fronts,…

Media

Read More: Protect Students, Not Subsidies

Regulation

Policy Memo: The Downside of Raising the Minimum Wage

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • March 6, 2017

In February, Gov. Wolf proposed raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $12, claiming a higher minimum wage will raise revenue, reduce welfare participation and spur job growth. These claims are…

Memo

Read More: Policy Memo: The Downside of Raising the Minimum Wage

Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2017

  • March 2, 2017

February proved to be another poor month for revenue collections. For the fourth straight month—and now seven of the last eight—collections fell short of official estimates from the the Pennsylvania Department of…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: March 2017

Health Care

Double-Down on Reinventing Government

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 23, 2017

Imagine if Stephen King had written Green Eggs and Ham. What if Dr. Seuss had penned The Shining? Gov. Wolf’s third budget address was an equally disorienting shift in tone…

Media

Read More: Double-Down on Reinventing Government

Regulation

Employee Compensation Drives Spending Growth

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 21, 2017

PennLive released a list of state government employees earning more than $100,000 in salary today. While the list should open some eyes, it doesn’t capture the full cost of…

Media

Read More: Employee Compensation Drives Spending Growth

Regulation

Examining the Staggering Cost of Pensions

  • February 16, 2017

CF senior policy analyst James Paul recently spoke with WURD Radio’s Stephanie Renee on Pennsylvania’s skyrocketing pension costs—and what can be done about them. Pennsylvania’s unfunded pension liability stands at…

Media

Read More: Examining the Staggering Cost of Pensions

Regulation

Film Tax Credit Draws Bad Reviews

  • James Paul
  • January 30, 2017

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 Reviews

Regulation

State Budget Solution #2: Liquor Privatization

  • January 19, 2017

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 Privatization

Public Union Democracy

The Inquirer’s Problematic Budget Prescriptions

  • January 11, 2017

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 Prescriptions

Regulation

Phila. Cigarette Tax to be Levied on Non-Philadelphia, Non-Smokers

  • James Paul
  • January 5, 2017

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-Smokers

Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: January 2017

  • January 4, 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 2017

Education

A Christmas Wish List for Pennsylvania

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 22, 2016

“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

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Criminal Justice Reform

Embracing Innovation in State Government

  • December 21, 2016

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

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Regulation

A Turning Point in Pennsylvania?s Budget Debate?

  • December 14, 2016

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

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 13, 2016

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 Beltway

Regulation

The PLCB: A Winner in a Race with No Competitors

  • December 12, 2016

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 Competitors