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
Corporate Welfare In, Fiscal Restraint Out
Commonwealth Foundation calls House budget irresponsible and misguided HARRISBURG, PA — Today, the Commonwealth Foundation charged that proposals by the Pennsylvania House Democrats to increase Governor Rendell’s proposed budget by…
Press Release
Read More: Corporate Welfare In, Fiscal Restraint OutRegulation
Tenant unlikely for $250 million airport
A LBFC study on the Hazleton area airport proposal finds that prospect of attracting a major client is remote (FedEx and DHL said “heck no”, while UPS said “very…
Media
Read More: Tenant unlikely for $250 million airportRegulation
Budget: WAMs in, Rainy Day Fund to be Raided
The House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment that increases the Governor’s proposed budget by $148 million (which, according to Evans’ news release, isn’t much money). This raises the…
Media
Read More: Budget: WAMs in, Rainy Day Fund to be RaidedRegulation
Did slots hurt lottery collections?
A new report by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee find that slots gambling has hurt lottery revenue. Not only has lottery revenue and participation seen almost no growth…
Media
Read More: Did slots hurt lottery collections?Regulation
Will MacGyver rescue the smoking ban?
John Micek thinks the Senate Dems plan to pass a smoking ban that includes everything the conference committee bill did, plus exemptions so Scranton and Pittsburgh could pass their own…
Media
Read More: Will MacGyver rescue the smoking ban?Regulation
The Nanny State Mentality
Anyone who has observed politics for long would see that too many politicians believe nothing positive would happen unless they pass a law requiring it. They think that the American…
Commentary
Read More: The Nanny State MentalityRegulation
Corporate Welfare: Bad for Business
A Capital Commerce blog post – on the subject on whether Obama is a Marxist (concluding that he is not, but he is a…
Media
Read More: Corporate Welfare: Bad for BusinessRegulation
Rendell administation to address pension crisis
Budget Secretary Michael Masch (a parting shot before he leaves state government at the end of the month?) unveiled a proposal to reduce the pension shock in FY…
Media
Read More: Rendell administation to address pension crisisRegulation
Smoking Bans Ain’t Cool, Unless You’re a Fool
The conference committee on banning private businesses’ right to allow smoking in their establishments has finally reported a bill. GrassrootsPA has the news roundup. I have written on this…
Media
Read More: Smoking Bans Ain’t Cool, Unless You’re a FoolRegulation
We Don’t Need a Climate Tax on the Poor
Sen. Inhofe in today’s Wall Street Journal outlines the consequences of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act: The Lieberman-Warner bill (America’s Climate Security Act) represents the largest tax increase…
Media
Read More: We Don’t Need a Climate Tax on the PoorRegulation
Privatizing the State Liquor Stores
State Senator Rob Wonderling talks about divestiture of the state liquor stores (MP3 file). More on State Store privatization: “Public Benefits of Private Liquor” news release and…
Media
Read More: Privatizing the State Liquor StoresRegulation
PA’s Corporate Welfare Line
Patriot-News Editorial on how Harrisburg is handing out taxpayer money to big businesses (this time, Amazon) that should not be getting special treatment at all. This corporate welfare comes…
Media
Read More: PA’s Corporate Welfare LineRegulation
Surprise! Stadium Predictions Flawed
David Boaz comments on reports that the taxpayer-subsidized baseball stadium for the Washington Nationals isn’t paying dividends. But then, we already knew that, and Boaz cites a slew of…
Media
Read More: Surprise! Stadium Predictions FlawedRegulation
Take Us Out to the Ball Game
Reason TV has a new video on whether sports stadiums are really worth it. Nick Gillespie notes that stadium subsidies are just another example of the Edifice…
Media
Read More: Take Us Out to the Ball GameRegulation
No Extra Money in the Fund
"There is no extra money in the fund" for a pension Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA). That’s the analysis from the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS), not the Commonwealth Foundation…
Commentary
Read More: No Extra Money in the FundRegulation
More Outrage at Pension COLA
Tony Phyrillas has added to the number of voices noting that the proposed Pension COLA means higher property taxes.
Media
Read More: More Outrage at Pension COLARegulation
Big Business Loves Big Government
Michael G. Franc in NRO Online analyzes a seemingly suprising fundraising advantage by Democratic candidates among corporate CEOs – surprising given that Democrats continue to call for higher taxes,…
Media
Read More: Big Business Loves Big GovernmentRegulation
Gaming Control Board screw-ups continue
A number of PA House Republicans are calling for PA AG Tom Corbett to investigate the Gaming Control Board (as if he didn’t already have enough government officials…
Media
Read More: Gaming Control Board screw-ups continueRegulation
Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny State
Here is an interesting read on the science of smoking and smoking bans, with plenty of additional resources listed in the end, written by Joe Jackson (yes, that…
Media
Read More: Smoke, Lies, and the Nanny StateRegulation
Leasing HBG Parking Garages
Patriot News reports on the Harrisburg Parking Authority’s 3-2 vote last night to contract with a private company to lease nine city parking garages, two public lots and 1,200…
Media
Read More: Leasing HBG Parking GaragesRegulation
Harrisburg mayor proposing outsourcing parking
Patriot News reports that Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed proposing leasing operations of the city’s parking garages and meters to private operators. The deal would fetch $215 million for a…
Media
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