Regulation
Pennsylvania’s permitting system is broken, and Gov. Shapiro needs to fix it
Originally published at The Patriot-News Pennsylvania is hemorrhaging business, jobs, and capital. Gov. Josh Shapiro admitted the problem: Pennsylvania’s excessive regulations. So, why doesn’t he do more to…
Read More: Pennsylvania’s permitting system is broken, and Gov. Shapiro needs to fix itPennsylvania’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 Stop Halfway
Liquor privatization has been a promise, a priority and even passed the House last year. And in the roughly 11 months since that historic vote, progress remains stalled. But it’s…
Media
Read More: Don’t Stop HalfwayPublic Union Democracy
Prohibition in Pa: 94 Years Old Today and Still Kicking
For Immediate Release Commonwealth Foundation Contact: 717-671-1901 Prohibition in PA: 94 Years Old Today and Still Kicking Gov. union leaders keep Pennsylvania stuck in the…
Press Release
Read More: Prohibition in Pa: 94 Years Old Today and Still KickingRegulation
For Pennsylvania, Prohibition Never Ended
It has been 94 years since the beginning of the nationwide prohibition on the production, distribution and sale of alcohol. Fortunately, states had the good sense to repeal the 18th…
Media
Read More: For Pennsylvania, Prohibition Never EndedPublic Union Democracy
Government Unions’ Lottery Misinformation Campagin
“Save the PA Lottery,” “Seniors pay the price,” and “Corbett’s secretive scheme” are just a few examples of how government union bosses employed scare tactics to conduct a massive misinformation…
Media
Read More: Government Unions’ Lottery Misinformation CampaginRegulation
2014: A Year for Pension Reform
Pension reform promises to be on the forefront of the legislative agenda in the new year, and for good reason. PSERS and SERS, the state’s two pension systems for…
Media
Read More: 2014: A Year for Pension ReformEducation
Top 5 Articles of 2013
Yesterday, we gave you the 5 most popular blog posts of 2013. Today, we are highlighting the 5 most read articles of 2013 on our website. 1) The (Growing)…
Media
Read More: Top 5 Articles of 2013Education
Top 5 Blog Posts of 2013
As 2013 winds to a close, we thought we’d run down the top stories of the past year. Here are Commonwealth Foundation’s top 5 blog posts, as chosen by you…
Media
Read More: Top 5 Blog Posts of 2013Public Union Democracy
Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save Pensions
“They are going to take away your pension!” is a common scare tactic used by Pennsylvania government union leaders to oppose pension reform (even though private school unions have…
Media
Read More: Detroit Warning: Reform Needed to Save PensionsRegulation
Not in the Holiday Spirit(s)
If you like a good deal, nothing beats shopping during the holidays. Retailers will do whatever it takes—sales, coupons, early bird specials—to get an edge over their competition, all to…
Media
Read More: Not in the Holiday Spirit(s)Health Care
Pennsylvania’s Bleak Budget Future
Pennsylvania’s fiscal outlook looks bleak according to a detailed report examining state revenue and spending released by the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) last week. The agency projects a general…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Bleak Budget FutureRegulation
A Band-Aid for Broken PLCB
A change has come to Pennsylvania’s state-controlled liquor monopoly that will improve the customer experience, according to the PLCB. Are we finally going to get liquor privatization after eight decades?…
Media
Read More: A Band-Aid for Broken PLCBRegulation
Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia Teachers
Thousands of school teachers in Philadelphia will see their retirement plans switched to 401(k)-type plans next year—and the union representing those teachers is okay with the reform. Shocked? I should…
Media
Read More: Union Supports 401(k)s for Philadelphia TeachersRegulation
Let Markets Decide Natural Gas Role
Could natural gas replace gasoline or diesel for Pennsylvania drivers? With natural gas certain to become even more plentiful, many people are asking whether that could someday be…
Media
Read More: Let Markets Decide Natural Gas RoleRegulation
Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes Later
Is your family ready to lose a mortgage payment or give up cellphone service for increased property and state taxes? Or would you rather see 33,000 public school teachers in…
Commentary
Read More: Reform State Pension Plans Now or Pay More Taxes LaterGovernment Accountability
PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!
This week, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its annual report. In case reading a 56-page government document isn’t in your weekend plans, here are my notes: Their stated…
Media
Read More: PLCB Annual Report: I Read it So You Don’t Have To!Regulation
Liquor Privatization Saves Lives? Part II
Public safety improved in Washington state after liquor store privatization, we told you back in July. As further data comes in, the results continue to impress: Most state alcohol-related…
Media
Read More: Liquor Privatization Saves Lives? Part IIRegulation
We Just Lowered the Debt Ceiling
Yesterday, House and Senate leaders came together to negotiate a deal—that passed with bipartisan support in both chambers—to reduce our debt ceiling. If that sounds unbelievable, I should…
Media
Read More: We Just Lowered the Debt CeilingRegulation
Tired of D.C. Partisanship? Here’s an Issue that Unites Most Americans
The political divide in Washington, D.C., may be wider than ever, but a recent alliance between a progressive news site and a free-market think tank in Pennsylvania shows Americans of…
Commentary
Read More: Tired of D.C. Partisanship? Here’s an Issue that Unites Most AmericansRegulation
PA Can’t Afford to Dither on Meaningful Pension Reform
Is your family ready to pay nearly $900 more in property taxes and state taxes per year? Are you prepared to see 33,000 public school teachers in Pennsylvania — nearly…
Commentary
Read More: PA Can’t Afford to Dither on Meaningful Pension ReformRegulation
Podcast: House Offers Compromise Language on Liquor Bill
Public support for liquor privatization is as strong as ever, as our recent survey makes clear. So what’s happening with legislation that hit a snag in the Senate this…
Media
Read More: Podcast: House Offers Compromise Language on Liquor BillRegulation
Liberals and Conservatives Agree: Let Go of Our Liquor
As the partisan divide plays out in Washington, it's encouraging to see one policy battle in Pennsylvania with support on both sides of the political spectrum. Across the state, voters…
Commentary
Read More: Liberals and Conservatives Agree: Let Go of Our Liquor