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
With Details, Wolf Budget “Framework” Looks Even Worse
Now that the Pennsylvania Senate has begun passing legislation, taxpayers can finally see what’s in Gov. Wolf’s “framework” for a new budget. Based on the passage of SB 1073 and…
Media
Read More: With Details, Wolf Budget “Framework” Looks Even WorseRegulation
Prohibition Never Ended
Tomorrow marks 82 years since the official end of Prohibition. Yet, Pennsylvania is still dealing with its own version of Prohibition in the form of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The…
Media
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Pension Reform Saves Another City
A few weeks ago Clairton became the second Pennsylvania city to leave the Act 47 program for distressed municipalities. Nanticoke was the first city to leave earlier this year. Instrumental…
Media
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10 Reasons to Banish the Booze Bureaucracy
Gov. Wolf is committed to protecting the government's monopoly on the sale of wine and liquor. When talking to reporters this past Monday, the governor’s spokesman said of Wolf…
Media
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How is Property Tax Relief Doled Out?
Among the many questions in a tentative state budget deal is how revenue from the sales tax increase would be distributed. The Associated Press notes this will be…
Media
Read More: How is Property Tax Relief Doled Out?Education
Philly Union Priorities: Politics over Teachers
How would you feel if your employer took funds meant for your health insurance and spent them on partisan politics? Sadly, this is a reality for thousands of teachers in…
Media
Read More: Philly Union Priorities: Politics over TeachersRegulation
Pa. Could Face 2nd-Highest Sales Tax in America
Pa. Could Face 2nd-Highest Sales Tax in America Latest Budget Plan Seeks Biggest Sales Tax Hike Since 1956 November 10, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvanians may soon pay more for…
Press Release
Read More: Pa. Could Face 2nd-Highest Sales Tax in AmericaRegulation
Backdoor $600 Million Tax Increase in Rumored Deal
Backdoor $600 Million Tax Increase in Rumored Budget Deal Sales Tax for Property Tax Swap Rumor Leaves Taxpayers on the Hook November 9, 2015, Harrisburg, Pa.—The…
Press Release
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Corporate Welfare and Cronyism in Bethlehem
Election day was a quiet affair in most communities, but in Bethlehem residents used the a local election to protest the appearance of cronyism in connection with a new corporate…
Media
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A PLCB Special: Red Ink
Supporters of the state liquor monopoly defend the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) as a cash spigot for the state, which is one of the reasons they refuse to support privatization.
Media
Read More: A PLCB Special: Red InkGovernment Accountability
A Revolving Door of Corruption
The revolving door of politics—when top government officials change careers and become consultants for the industry they once regulated—is alive and well in Pennsylvania. Except in the case of the…
Media
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Tackling our Structural Deficit Without Tax Hikes
“I’m not taking anything off the table” said Gov. Wolf shortly after his tax plan was resoundingly defeated in the House last week. The governor’s refusal to abandon…
Media
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Pennsylvania’s Public Pension Crisis Grows
When you assume an investment return rate of 7.5 percent and your actual returns are 3.04 percent you have a problem. If you are the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System you…
Media
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The Mirage of Green Jobs
Promoters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon-emission regulation attempt to playdown the jobs it would kill with promises of “green jobs”. Yet these positions pay less and are largely…
Media
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Analysis of Governor Wolf’s Budget Compromise
On September 16, 28 days after receiving a budget compromise proposal from legislative Republicans, Gov. Wolf rejected that offer and issued his own plan—to hire a private contractor to manage the government…
Fact Sheet
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Government that Works?
Last week, Governor Wolf revved up his Jeep and resumed his “Government that Works” tour in Lancaster. In an ironic twist, Wolf also promised to veto a temporary funding bill…
Commentary
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Losers and Phony-Baloneys
Last week, Gov. Wolf unveiled new, bad policy ideas—to slightly adjust a misguided pension proposal, and to propose a private manager to a government run liquor monopoly. But just as…
Media
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New Wolf Offer, Same Bad Policy
Yesterday, 28 days after receiving a budget compromise proposal from legislative Republicans, Gov. Wolf rejected that offer and issued his own plan—hiring a private contractor to manage the government liquor…
Media
Read More: New Wolf Offer, Same Bad PolicyRegulation
Gov. Wolf Offers Status Quo Packaged as ‘Reform’
Contact: Gina Diorio, 862-703-6670, [email protected] Gov. Wolf Offers Status Quo Packaged as ‘Reform’ Liquor and Pension Proposals Fall Short of Much-Needed Change Good morning, Yesterday, Governor Tom…
Press Release
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Audio: Getting Government Out of the Booze Business
A majority of Pennsylvanians support a privatized liquor industry, but government unions use their financial clout to ensure the state government maintains a monopoly over wine and spirits. WILK’s…
Media
Read More: Audio: Getting Government Out of the Booze BusinessEducation
Young Teachers Pay the Price for Pension Politics
The first month of a new school year is an exciting—but stressful—time for school teachers. This is particularly true for young, newly-hired teachers who must quickly acclimate to their students,…
Media
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