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
VIP perks are history for ousted legislators
Morning Call on what the ousted Senate leaders will be losing as a result of their loss at the ballot box last Tuesday. Don’t worry though, they’ll still be…
Media
Read More: VIP perks are history for ousted legislatorsRegulation
State jobs: Pay, perks make for popular work
Reading Eagle story on government jobs.
Media
Read More: State jobs: Pay, perks make for popular workRegulation
Auction Slots Licenses
The Commonwealth Foundation called for auctioning off the slots licenses in 2003 and 2004, but the gambling proponents decided to “sell” them at a 90% discount rate.
Media
Read More: Auction Slots LicensesRegulation
2001 pension vote could cost billions
The REPUBLICAN & Herald story on the coming crisis.
Media
Read More: 2001 pension vote could cost billionsRegulation
Pension caps would benefit taxpayers
Commonwealth Foundation Senior Fellow Rick Dreyfuss in today’s Patriot-News.
Media
Read More: Pension caps would benefit taxpayersRegulation
Corporate Welfare No Boon for Philadelphia Job Market
Despite receiving large corporate "welfare checks" to spur job growth in manufacturing and technology, the Philadelphia region still lags behind other areas of the Commonwealth in employment. The region has…
Commentary
Read More: Corporate Welfare No Boon for Philadelphia Job MarketRegulation
They could have thought of a better title
The Pittsbuhgh Post-Gazette titled their story, “Use casino revenue for school vouchers, group suggests.” I guess that’s better than “Dirty Gambling Money to Undermine the Separation of Church and…
Media
Read More: They could have thought of a better titleRegulation
“That’s the way the system works”
Alletown Morning Call editorial on the “Quiet bump for legislators’ pensions adds to outrage over 2005 pay-grab“: Of the lawmakers retiring, 17 will see their pension benefit improve because…
Media
Read More: “That’s the way the system works”Regulation
War on Wal-Mart coming to PA
From the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Best quote: “Wal-Mart is trying to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.” Those heathens, trying to compete against unionized stores.
Media
Read More: War on Wal-Mart coming to PARegulation
Pay Raise and Pensions Linked
Coverage of the pay raise and pension link from Centre Daily Times, citing Rick Dreyfuss and our pension study.
Media
Read More: Pay Raise and Pensions LinkedEducation
PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentary
Equal time was given to Tim Allwein of the PA School Boards Association to offer a rebutal to my commentary in last Sunday’s Patriot-News. Fair game. It should…
Media
Read More: PSBA takes issue with my referendum commentaryRegulation
State lawmakers look to boost their pensions
Alison Hawkes in the Herald-Standard on the pension COLA debate. Side-Note: We’re not sure where, when, or why we started being called a “libertarian” think tank (although I think…
Media
Read More: State lawmakers look to boost their pensionsRegulation
Ballooning Pa. pension costs could increase taxes substantially
Excellent story on the looming pension crisis by Alison Hawkes in The Herald-Standard. But Rep. Mark Mustio points out the bigger problem: “It’s not like the system’s going to…
Media
Read More: Ballooning Pa. pension costs could increase taxes substantiallyRegulation
Raise repealed, but not retired
Philadelphia Inquirer highlights the benefits for retiring lawmakers, most of whom took the “unvouchered expenses” which boosted their pension payouts.
Media
Read More: Raise repealed, but not retiredRegulation
Buying ‘Burgh Votes
“Rendell: Plan ready to build new arena” in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Media
Read More: Buying ‘Burgh VotesRegulation
Pension Editorials
The Valley Independent believes that the “Pension battle should be instructive,” while the Reading Eagle suggests that the “State pension plan needs to be revised.”…
Media
Read More: Pension EditorialsRegulation
Public Pensions and Risky Hedge Funds
The Massachusetts Secretary of State is voicing criticism in the Boston Globe over the amount of pension money going into risky hedge funds. This is noteworthy because Pennsylvania State…
Media
Read More: Public Pensions and Risky Hedge FundsRegulation
Dreyfuss on the pension crisis
…in the Centre Daily Times.
Media
Read More: Dreyfuss on the pension crisisRegulation
Insult to injury
State weighs COLA raise in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Media
Read More: Insult to injuryRegulation
EDITORIAL | Gambling easy with house cash Taxpayers left on hook for state, teacher pensions
This Times-Tribune editorial recognizes the need to address the looming pension crisis.
Media
Read More: EDITORIAL | Gambling easy with house cash Taxpayers left on hook for state, teacher pensionsRegulation
State kept funding agency in audit dispute
State Rep. Mike Veon and State Sen. Gerald LaValle’s BIG slush fund gets scrutiny from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. While the Veon/LaValle scandal may be an extreme example of how…
Media
Read More: State kept funding agency in audit dispute