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

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

Regulation

State Pension Reform This Week?

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 24, 2016

Pension reform talks are in full swing as state lawmakers finish up their fall session. The latest pension proposal offers a side-by-side hybrid system for new employees, including new…

Media

Read More: State Pension Reform This Week?

Regulation

Pennsylvanians Want Pension Reform

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 20, 2016

A majority of Pennsylvanians want pension reform. In a poll conducted from October 4th to 9th, 54 percent of voters supported placing new state employees in a 401(k)-style…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvanians Want Pension Reform

Regulation

Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the Hook

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • October 13, 2016

In the past six years, Pennsylvania taxpayers’ unfunded pension liability has more than doubled from less than $30 billion to $63 billion. While the legislative debate over reform continues, Pennsylvania…

Media

Read More: Abysmal Investment Returns for Pension Fund, Taxpayers on the Hook

Regulation

Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016

  • October 7, 2016

Pennsylvania’s state budget is three months old and showing signs of a major budget deficit. Actual revenue collections are already behind $218.5 million through the first quarter, according to…

Media

Read More: Pennsylvania Deficit Watch: October 2016

Regulation

Fighting for Survival

  • September 27, 2016

Yesterday was an emotional day for many. Hundreds of people from Pennsylvania’s vaping community traveled to Harrisburg to save their livelihoods and their way of life. The rally to repeal…

Media

Read More: Fighting for Survival

Regulation

How to Fix the Vape Tax

  • September 19, 2016

The House will return to session later today, with the Senate to follow early next week. The two chambers are in session for a total of nine days. This gives lawmakers a limited…

Media

Read More: How to Fix the Vape Tax

Regulation

PA’s Liquor Monopoly is in Red Ink Again

  • September 14, 2016

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is boasting about record sales again. But as we've pointed out in the past, that’s not much of a feat when you have a…

Media

Read More: PA’s Liquor Monopoly is in Red Ink Again

Education

Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 7, 2016

APSCUF—the union representing faculty at state-owned universities—has begun a vote to authorize a strike. One of APSCUF's complaints with the proposed contract is higher health care expenses. In…

Media

Read More: Faculty Benefits Driving Up Tuition Costs

Regulation

The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get Less

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 7, 2016

Pennsylvania's pension debt stands at $63 billion or more than $4,900 per resident. It's a big number to be sure, but what does it mean for the average Pennsylvanian? What does it…

Media

Read More: The Legacy of Pension Debt: Pay More, Get Less

Regulation

Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time

  • September 7, 2016

Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time $18 Billion SERS Unfunded Liability Breakdown Shows Urgent Need for Reform September 7, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As lawmakers mull major…

Press Release

Read More: Exposed: State Agency Pension Debt Revealed for First Time