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
Senate acts to cut back a few perks
As reported in the Patriot News, the state Senate plans to force Senators to contribute to their health care plans (possibly 1% of salary) and reduce the money available…
Media
Read More: Senate acts to cut back a few perksRegulation
Want to braid hair? Talk to Big Brother.
Despite not having time to address lobbyist reform during the past few weeks, the General Assembly was able to pass a myriad of minor bills, including one (SB 707)…
Media
Read More: Want to braid hair? Talk to Big Brother.Health Care
$1 Trillion Shock Awaits States, Local Governments
Joe Mysak asks on Bloomberg.com: “How much is it going to cost states and localities to pay for public employees’ health care and insurance after they retire? “Try between…
Media
Read More: $1 Trillion Shock Awaits States, Local GovernmentsRegulation
The Merits of a Judicial Pay Raise in Pennsylvania
On July 7, 2005, a political firestorm was ignited in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the form of a controversial pay raise for legislators, members of the executive branch, and…
Fact Sheet
Read More: The Merits of a Judicial Pay Raise in PennsylvaniaRegulation
Senators vs. Pork
Not a game between minor league baseball teams, but three State Senators (Jane Orie, R-Allison Park, Pat Vance, R-Silver Spring Twp, and Pat Browne, R-Allentown) trying to Shift Focus…
Media
Read More: Senators vs. PorkRegulation
Oink-oink: Spend, spend, spend
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial on corporate welfare and ‘walking around money’: “Better for Pennsylvanians if their money never ‘walked’ at all.”…
Media
Read More: Oink-oink: Spend, spend, spendGovernment Accountability
Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them
The distance between the rulers and ruled continues to widen in Pennsylvania. For retiring and defeated members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the daily perks and privileges of office…
Commentary
Read More: Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix ThemRegulation
Reformers should alter pension plan
In this exclusive Patriot-News commentary, former lawmaker John Kennedy encourages the dozens of future lawmakers (likely 50-60 new faces will be in Harrisburg come January 2007) to eschew the…
Media
Read More: Reformers should alter pension planRegulation
Lovely parting gifts
Lancaster New Era on legislative pensions. Once again demonstrating that “serving the public” doesn’t cost, it PAYS!…
Media
Read More: Lovely parting giftsRegulation
Ousted legislators find silver lining
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Some lawmakers who lost their jobs in the May primary will collect pensions almost as big as their current salaries. “Powerhouse Republican Sen. Robert Jubelirer,…
Media
Read More: Ousted legislators find silver liningRegulation
New York’s Pension Peril
E. J. McMahon, the director of the Manhattan Institute’s Empire Center for New York State Policy, writes in the New York Post about NY’s pension problem.
Media
Read More: New York’s Pension PerilRegulation
Lawmaker Pensions too generous
Coverage of lawmaker pensions (and our Pension Study) in The York Daily Record.
Media
Read More: Lawmaker Pensions too generousRegulation
Nice Pensions for Lawmakers
Coverage of lawmakers’ pensions in the Chambersburg Public Opinion and Lebanon Daily News.
Media
Read More: Nice Pensions for LawmakersRegulation
Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spending
Public Radio Capitol News on our Piglet Book 2006. Although reporter Damon Baughmer probably doesn’t appreciate the fact that we think his employer (we, the taxpayers) should be funding…
Media
Read More: Groups identify $4.3 billion in ‘wasteful’ spendingRegulation
Pension problem looming
The Altoona Mirror says “Pennsylvanians need to look past the headlines on legislators because there is a much bigger problem lurking.” We couldn’t agree more!…
Media
Read More: Pension problem loomingRegulation
EDITORIAL | Public servants retire in luxury
Centre Daily Times on how our “servants” have become “masters” at the expense of the public.
Media
Read More: EDITORIAL | Public servants retire in luxuryRegulation
Pinching pennies? Not ousted lawmakers
“Voters probably weren’t thinking about it at the time, but when they ousted Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair, and Senate Majority Leader David “Chip” Brightbill, R-Lebanon, they opened…
Media
Read More: Pinching pennies? Not ousted lawmakersRegulation
State gaming official arrested
“A state Gaming Control Board investigator arrested outside a South Side bar early Saturday, allegedly after threatening and then trying to run from police, has become the fifth agency employee…
Media
Read More: State gaming official arrestedRegulation
Pa. lawmakers find retiring pays
Excellent article from the Centre Daily Times on the coming pension crisis. “It’s a train wreck waiting to happen — it’s barreling down the tracks at us,” said Centre…
Media
Read More: Pa. lawmakers find retiring paysRegulation
Govenment benefits for retirees grow into ‘monster’
An article in today’s USA TODAY points out that future unfunded liabilities for Medicare, Social Security, and govenment employees pensions and retirement benefits have grown to $57.8 trillion. To…
Media
Read More: Govenment benefits for retirees grow into ‘monster’Regulation
Perzel takes up state pension issue
House Speaker Perzel names a panel on state pension and retiree medical benefits to study the issues identified in the Commonwealth Foundation’s Pension Study. Perzel even suggests setting…
Media
Read More: Perzel takes up state pension issue