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
Six Years of Rendells Stimulus is Enough
Gov. Ed Rendell is, as head of the National Governor’s Association as well as the chief of a state facing a major revenue shortfall, leading the push for a federal…
Commentary
Read More: Six Years of Rendells Stimulus is EnoughRegulation
Those who do not learn from history …
Deb Erdley has an article in the Tribune Review about the increasing taxpayer cost for the Pittsburgh Penguins arena, as well as details on the $1.5 billion in borrowed…
Media
Read More: Those who do not learn from history …Regulation
Boscov’s Bailout On the Ropes
Butler County joined with Snyder County yesterday in rejecting the proposed loan for Boscov’s (HT Capitol Ideas). This puts state officials back to the drawing board to find…
Media
Read More: Boscov’s Bailout On the RopesRegulation
There’s a reason so many Steeler fans have left Pittsburgh
Jerry Bowyer has an excellent piece in today’s Wall Street Journal on why sports – and taxpayer subsidized sports stadiums – do not lead to broader economic gains (a…
Media
Read More: There’s a reason so many Steeler fans have left PittsburghRegulation
Boscovs Bailout is Bad for Business
With bailout mania sweeping the nation, it is hardly a surprise to see the struggling Boscov’s department store with its hand out. But the current proposal to give Boscov's $35…
Commentary
Read More: Boscovs Bailout is Bad for BusinessRegulation
Fiddling while Pennsylvania bleeds
Brian O’Neill has an outstanding column in the Post-Gazette questioning the efficacy of “economic development” subsidies (corporate welfare) during a state budget crunch – or any time, really. The…
Media
Read More: Fiddling while Pennsylvania bleedsRegulation
Kicking and screaming over soccer stadium
Delware County Councilman Andy Lewis is fighting against taxpayer funding for the proposed soccer stadium in Chester, noting (among other things) that Major League Soccer might go under, leaving…
Media
Read More: Kicking and screaming over soccer stadiumRegulation
Downsize the Federal Government
Cato Institute video on “Downsizing the Federal Government” starting with the US Department of Agriculture. If, like me, you thought that the Dept. of Agriculture was a relatively small…
Media
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New Pollution Regulations Will Cost You
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania DEP reinstated CAIR (the Clean Air Interstate Rule) after a successful appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. In July, the…
Media
Read More: New Pollution Regulations Will Cost YouRegulation
Snyder County refuses Boscov’s Bailout
Officials in Snyder County are refusing to back a loan as part of the Boscov’s Bailout – even though Pennsylvania officials are pressuring them to do so, arguing…
Media
Read More: Snyder County refuses Boscov’s BailoutRegulation
The Year in Bans
Reason TV video looks at the latest examples of the Nanny State Mentality, highlighting some of the many things banned in 2008.
Media
Read More: The Year in BansRegulation
Taxpayers helping millionaires
Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed celebrates the end of a long-standing tradition of sending taxpayers money to sports stadiums in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia – or rather, the extension of that tradition…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers helping millionairesRegulation
Ed Rendell and Rosie O’Donnell
Q: What do Governor Ed Rendell and Rosie O’Donnell have in common (hint: it has nothing to do with food)? A: They have both gotten on Donald Trump’s bad side.
Media
Read More: Ed Rendell and Rosie O’DonnellRegulation
Government Knows Best: New Mandates in Philly
Philadelphia passed a new law (HT:Grassroots) mandating Carbon Monoxide detectors in every newly constructed home. The story reminded me of…
Media
Read More: Government Knows Best: New Mandates in PhillyRegulation
Lemieux: “Pennsylvania Taxpayers are Suckers”
This is somewhat old news, but its new to me: Mario Lemieux admitted in August that he never thought of moving the Pittsburgh Penguins, but was still able to…
Media
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Smoking ban is bad for business, say casinos
Pennsylvania’s slots casinos are complaining that the recently enacted state smoking ban is hurting their revenues (we told you so) and are asking that their exemption be increased…
Media
Read More: Smoking ban is bad for business, say casinosRegulation
Pennsylvania school employees pension costs to quadruple in 4 years
The Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) at their meeting today certified a small increase in the employers’ (re: taxpayers) contribution rate – from the current 4.76% to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania school employees pension costs to quadruple in 4 yearsRegulation
Rendells Wicked Game
People are but mere pawns for Gov. Ed Rendell’s use as political leverage in an inexorable pursuit of his policy agenda. Thousands of state employees were unnecessarily furloughed…
Commentary
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Pennsylvania completes study of things to buy me for Christmas
OK, the study isn’t on things to buy me for Christmas, but the Joint State Government Commission completed a study on Violent Interactive Video Games. Some of the games…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania completes study of things to buy me for ChristmasRegulation
Where to Find WAMs
I have gotten a couple of requests today for lists of WAMs and other recent spending. We put together a list of recent grants the Governor has awarded/announced in…
Media
Read More: Where to Find WAMsRegulation
Funding Loans While Facing a Deficit?
The day after announcing more budget cuts, including a wage freeze, Governor Rendell announced $2 million in new state funded loans. So let…
Media
Read More: Funding Loans While Facing a Deficit?