Prosperity
Pennsylvanians Demand Expanded Energy Choices
Harrisburg, PA – According to a statewide poll of registered voters, Pennsylvanians are pessimistic about the state’s future and want state leaders to address surging energy costs. The survey…
Read More: Pennsylvanians Demand Expanded Energy ChoicesPennsylvania’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
How Ridesharing Helps the Poor and Disabled
Earlier this week, I used Uber to get a ride in downtown Philadelphia. Curious, I asked my driver how long he’d been driving for Uber. “Two years,” he told me,…
Media
Read More: How Ridesharing Helps the Poor and DisabledRegulation
Wolf’s False Choice
If lawmakers don’t raise taxes, Pennsylvanians should brace for drastic cuts to education and human services. This myth is promoted endlessly by the Wolf Administration to justify taking…
Media
Read More: Wolf’s False ChoiceRegulation
Rhetoric vs. Reality
Pennsylvania’s nine-month budget saga has concluded, but not everyone is pleased with the ending. The Philadelphia Inquirer published a caustic editorial criticizing state lawmakers for failing to surrender…
Media
Read More: Rhetoric vs. RealityRegulation
Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden Pennsylvanians
State employee compensation costs have soared to nearly $93,000 per worker per year, with health care and pensions the largest contributors. Meanwhile, costly EPA mandates on carbon and mercury…
Media
Read More: Audio: State Worker Costs & EPA Mandates Burden PennsylvaniansHealthcare
Improving Health Care Access While Cutting Costs
Is it possible to improve health care access while also cutting a costs? Yes—according to a recent study by Edward Timmons of the Mercatus Center. Writing in U.S.
Media
Read More: Improving Health Care Access While Cutting CostsHealthcare
6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary
6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th Anniversary Problems Persist as Health Care System Flounders March 21, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—Lower costs? Improved access? Promises made—and broken—in the…
Press Release
Read More: 6 Reasons Not to Celebrate Obamacare’s 6th AnniversaryRegulation
PA Faces Another Costly EPA Mandate
President Obama’s energy tax—also known as the Clean Power Plan—is just one of many EPA mandates stifling Pennsylvania’s economy. One mandate in particular imposes enormous costs on Pennsylvania farmers and…
Media
Read More: PA Faces Another Costly EPA MandateRegulation
Taxpayers on the Hook for Wolf’s Spending Binge
Despite the lack of a completed state budget, and no support for his unpopular tax hike proposals, Gov. Wolf continues to rack up additional costs for taxpayers: Wolf's…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers on the Hook for Wolf’s Spending BingeRegulation
Breaking Promises to Fund Broken Programs
During his gubernatorial campaign, Tom Wolf promised to reduce taxes on working people. As a matter of fact, his campaign attacked Gov. Corbett for raising taxes. An October 2014 campaign blog…
Media
Read More: Breaking Promises to Fund Broken ProgramsRegulation
$56 Billion & Counting: PA’s Pension Liability
The state pension boards testified before the General Assembly this week and reported a combined unfunded liability of more than $56 billion. Contrary to claims that “we should let…
Media
Read More: $56 Billion & Counting: PA’s Pension LiabilityRegulation
Poll: How Can Pennsylvania Beat Florida?
In the Wall Street Journal, Florida Governor Rick Scott makes a mockery of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and his quest to raise taxes, calling Wolf one of his “favorite governors.”…
Media
Read More: Poll: How Can Pennsylvania Beat Florida?Regulation
Why Did Wolf Veto PERC Funding?
Some positive news emerged last week, Gov. Wolf agreed—as part of a lawsuit filed by Rep. Steve Bloom and Rep. Seth Grove—to a temporary deal to keep the Public…
Media
Read More: Why Did Wolf Veto PERC Funding?Regulation
Should Economic Power Reside in Harrisburg?
Pennsylvania leads the nation…in corporate welfare. Since 2007, the commonwealth doled out more than $5.7 billion in economic subsidies to private organizations, which is just one of the many startling…
Media
Read More: Should Economic Power Reside in Harrisburg?Regulation
We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare
We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare Looking for State Budget Fixes? Cut $700 Million in Unfair Subsidies March 2, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Wolf administration claims important state…
Press Release
Read More: We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate WelfareRegulation
The Costs of Corporate Welfare
Of the last 46 state budgets, only one did not increase total spending. This explosion has been fueled in part by special subsidies doled out to select businesses, creating an economic…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Costs of Corporate WelfareRegulation
Addressing the Confusion on Compensation
Yesterday we issued a press release on public employee compensation, which is now causing quite a stir on social media. One commenter accused us of engaging in “shenanigans.” Another…
Media
Read More: Addressing the Confusion on CompensationRegulation
Pennsylvania Must Control Compensation Costs
The soaring costs of public employee compensation, if left unchecked, could aggravate Pennsylvania’s financial troubles. The growth in employee benefits, which have skyrocketed since 2006, is driving this upward trend…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Must Control Compensation CostsRegulation
Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each
Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K Each Benefit Costs Tripled Since 2000 February 22, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—As Gov. Wolf calls for a record-high $80 billion…
Press Release
Read More: Secret Contracts Push State Worker Costs Near $100K EachEducation
Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local Budgets
Pennsylvania taxpayers shoulder the 15th highest state and local tax burden in the country. Consequently, the Keystone State has seen an exodus of working people. Unsustainable growth in…
Memo
Read More: Redesigning Government to Balance State and Local BudgetsRegulation
Who is Wolf Giving Your Tax Dollars To?
Next week Gov. Tom Wolf will unveil a “new” budget, with all expectations that it will be just like his first proposal—calling for new taxes on working families. In fact, you…
Media
Read More: Who is Wolf Giving Your Tax Dollars To?Government Accountability
Wolf to Pension Commission: ‘You’re Fired!’
Wolf to Pension Commission: “You’re Fired!” Governor’s Pattern of Eliminating Opposition Defies Claims of Accountability February 3, 2016, HARRISBURG, Pa.—The latest casualty of Gov. Tom Wolf’s “my…
Press Release
Read More: Wolf to Pension Commission: ‘You’re Fired!’