Regulation
Regulatory Reforms Stalled in State House
Summary Gov. Josh Shapiro’s PAyback permit rebate program is a step forward. But alone, it is insufficient to fix Pennsylvania’s above-average regulatory burden. The governor says he wants to…
Read More: Regulatory Reforms Stalled in State HousePennsylvania’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
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!’Government Accountability
Wolf to PERC: “You’re Fired!”
Gov. Wolf has a history of trying to fire individuals who won’t kowtow to his agenda. He tried to remove Erik Arneson as head of the independent Office of Open…
Media
Read More: Wolf to PERC: “You’re Fired!”Regulation
PPA Picks Cartels over Consumers
Jon Brennan’s Audi S4 was impounded by Philadelphia police because he’s an UberX driver. Emails uncovered by the Philadelphia Inquirer reveal that the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has thrown…
Media
Read More: PPA Picks Cartels over ConsumersGovernment Accountability
Fiscal Code Packed with Earmarks
Pennsylvania's fiscal code is intended to provide lawmakers with instructions for spending funds appropriated in the state budget. But it is also ground-zero for a host of earmarks that funnel limited…
Media
Read More: Fiscal Code Packed with EarmarksPublic Union Democracy
A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016
Last year, Gov. Tom Wolf promised he would take state government in a “different direction” and grow the middle class. He pledged to do this by making Pennsylvania a magnet for…
Media
Read More: A Governor’s Resolution List for 2016Regulation
Is Gov. Wolf Ignoring Credit Rating Agencies?
Last week, Gov. Wolf once again resorted to defending his latest budget vetoes citing the fear of credit rating downgrades. Oddly, he seems to miss that pension reform and…
Media
Read More: Is Gov. Wolf Ignoring Credit Rating Agencies?Regulation
The EPA’s Plan Will Hike Your Electricity Bill
A new analysis from NERA Economic Consulting projects Pennsylvania electricity bills will increase between 10 and 19 percent from 2022 to 2033…
Media
Read More: The EPA’s Plan Will Hike Your Electricity BillRegulation
Government Liquor is a Liability
Liquor privatization came dangerously close to reality this year with a true privatization plan passing both houses of the legislature in June only to be stonewalled by the governor. So…
Media
Read More: Government Liquor is a LiabilityPublic Union Democracy
Tax Hike of Christmas Past?
Given the rumblings of an imminent vote on higher income taxes, it's important to remember what happened 12 years ago (nearly to the day!) with our state budget. Ed Rendell was…
Media
Read More: Tax Hike of Christmas Past?Regulation
House Pension Compromise Is Step in Right Direction
The pension reform bill is quickly making its way through the Pa. House. The latest iteration, SB 1071, mirrors the Senate's version (SB 1082; read our summary here),…
Media
Read More: House Pension Compromise Is Step in Right DirectionRegulation
Latest Pension Bill a Mixed Bag
Yesterday the State Senate passed a revised pension reform bill (SB 1082) including a side-by-side hybrid, with a smaller defined benefit pension and a defined contribution…
Media
Read More: Latest Pension Bill a Mixed Bag