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
$13,000 fees for new homes?
The Patriot News reports on a PA House committee hearing on charging impact fees on new homes – of $13,000 per home – in growing areas. Why would we…
Media
Read More: $13,000 fees for new homes?Regulation
Public Pension Price Tag
Wall Street Journal piece on the difficulties facing pension plans for state and local government employees.
Media
Read More: Public Pension Price TagRegulation
The Other Pension Crisis
Wall Street Journal editorial on the underfunding and looming crisis in pensions for state and local government workers.
Media
Read More: The Other Pension CrisisRegulation
Automatic 401(k)s
NCPA Brief Analysis describing the 401(k) reforms contained in the recently passed federal pension bill. Among the main reforms are that employees will have to “opt out” of their…
Media
Read More: Automatic 401(k)sRegulation
Gaming board raking in fat paychecks
Even without slot machines up and running in Pennsylvania, there have already been some big winners from gambling – the Gaming Control Board. The Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice reports that…
Media
Read More: Gaming board raking in fat paychecksRegulation
Federal pay, benefits double private sector’s
New data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, summarized on GovExec.com, finds that the average pay and benefits for federal civilian workers was more than double that of…
Media
Read More: Federal pay, benefits double private sector’sHealth Care
The 1% Solution
In the daily travails of state government, it appears the Senate is prepared to take action best described as “self-reform.” According to reports, beginning as early as September, employees of…
Commentary
Read More: The 1% SolutionRegulation
Record Number of Lottery Losers
Governor Rendell issued a news release on the state lottery. Proud of what he calls “a success story of good government and an organization of which all Pennsylvanians can…
Media
Read More: Record Number of Lottery LosersRegulation
Getting state legislators to work is costly
Post-Gazette article on the cost to taxpayers of the travel of several state lawmakers. Just another example of a failure of many in cover to be frugal when someone…
Media
Read More: Getting state legislators to work is costlyRegulation
Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region
The Brookings Institution released a study on manufacturing jobs lost in the Great Lakes region. The numbers and findings are interesting: many of the nation’s manufacturing jobs “lost” were…
Media
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Pay raise still helps Stetler
The York Daily Record highlights how Rep. Steve Stetler from York will garner $2,000 more per year in pension payouts because he kept more than $9K in “unvouchered expenses”–unconstitutionally…
Media
Read More: Pay raise still helps StetlerRegulation
Pension system ‘a perfect storm’
More on the coming pension crisis in the York Daily Record. Side note: Democratic Rep. Steve Stetler–who is retiring in September to become the new Executive Director of the…
Media
Read More: Pension system ‘a perfect storm’Regulation
Sweet, sour of lawmaker pensions
More on lawmaker’s pensions and the coming crisis in the York Daily Record.
Media
Read More: Sweet, sour of lawmaker pensionsRegulation
Harrisburg pensions: 50 lawmakers leaving seats this year
Chambersburg Public Opinion on retiring lawmakers’ pensions and the need to fix the pension system.
Media
Read More: Harrisburg pensions: 50 lawmakers leaving seats this yearRegulation
21st Retiring Rep to Profit from Repealed Pay Raise
Rock the Capital reports that Rep. Steven Stetler, who announced this week he would be retiring from office in September, will receive a pension increase of over $2,000/year from…
Media
Read More: 21st Retiring Rep to Profit from Repealed Pay RaiseRegulation
More money spent on gambling; still none received
Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review with more about the tranfer of funds to run the Gaming Control Board. Apparently, Gov. Rendell and budget Sec. Michael Masch plan to…
Media
Read More: More money spent on gambling; still none receivedRegulation
What are the odds? Pa. gaming board running out of money
Legalized gambling, once thought to be the cash cow for property tax reform, can’t even fund it own board. See the PennLive.com NewsFlash…
Media
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Boeing-Sized Welfare Checks
For the past three and one-half years, the ostensible premise of Gov. Ed Rendell’s “economic stimulus” plan has been that by making “targeted investments” in politically chosen companies and industries,…
Commentary
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Steering Online Gamblers Toward State Lotteries
Jacob Sullum of the Reason Foundation wonders why some members of Congress are pushing for tougher measures banning online gambling while supporting state lotteries and casinos. The answer is…
Media
Read More: Steering Online Gamblers Toward State LotteriesRegulation
Looks like business as usual – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Dimitri Vassilaros writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about the effort to defund one of PA’s corporate welfare programs” No doubt many businesses are successful because their close relationships with…
Media
Read More: Looks like business as usual – Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewRegulation
Stop the charade
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on Sen. Jane Orie’s effort to cut some corporate welfare in PA.
Media
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