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

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

Read More: A Christmas Wish List for Pennsylvania

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

Regulation

Don’t Wait on Washington for Manufacturing Jobs

  • Gordon Tomb
  • December 12, 2016

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 Jobs

Regulation

What Pennsylvania’s Budget Trends Mean for You

  • December 8, 2016

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 You

Education

Hits and Misses from the 2015-16 Legislative Session

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • December 5, 2016

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 Session

Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: December 2016

  • December 2, 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 2016

Regulation

New IFO Report Emphasizes Need to Reform Spending

  • November 16, 2016

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 Spending

Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: November 2016

  • November 10, 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 2016

Education

Can a Dwight Schrute Save Scranton?

  • November 8, 2016

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?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 7, 2016

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

  • Elizabeth Stelle, James Paul
  • November 1, 2016

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 Session