State Budget
Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls Short
Originally published at RealClearPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal perpetuates unsustainable spending and fails to address the most promising ideas he put forward during his campaign. For…
Read More: Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls ShortPennsylvania’s complex state budget has enabled policymakers to keep taxpayers in the dark when it comes to state spending. Year after year, some elected officials use budget gimmicks to both make the budget appear balanced and to secure their own agendas. Pennsylvanians deserve reforms that bring true transparency to the budgeting process. We must limit spending growth to a sustainable rate, ensuring the state government—like hardworking taxpayers—live within its means.
State Budget
Cut (half) the Waste!
Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorial on the Pennsylvania Piglet Book 2006.
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Ending Pennsylvanias Business as Usual Budget
The General Assembly’s post-primary return to Harrisburg signals the start of budget season in Pennsylvania—and taxpayers all across the Commonwealth should be clutching their wallets a little tighter in nervous…
Commentary
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When Fish is Really Pork
A press release from the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) attempts to justify the Fish Fund as a core function of government. However, we maintain our assertion…
Media
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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…
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Piglet Book Coverage
Coverage of the Pennsylvania Piglet Book in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Download the full Piglet Book here.
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Pennsylvania Piglet Book 2006
The Pennsylvania Piglet Book 2006 is the joint effort of the Commonwealth Foundation and Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) to make the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania aware of…
Report
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Return the Windfall Profits
There is a massive organization imposing a financial burden on the Pennsylvania economy. It is consuming an ever larger portion of the average person’s income. The costs for what it…
Commentary
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Gov. Rendells Blah, Blah, Blah Campaign Strategy
Ever had a conversation with someone who starts to tell a story and then, midway through, says “Blah blah blah” (or words to that effect) and then skips ahead to…
Commentary
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Should American troops die for pork?
A look at the $17 billion in Pork Spending added to the President’s request for funding of troops and Hurricane Katrina Relief from the Heritage Foundation.
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Line-Item Veto Draws Sen. Byrd’s Scorn – Yahoo! News
Shockingly, the man responsible for more pork-barrel spending than anyone opposes limiting pork-barrel spending. From Yahoo! News…
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Breaking Pennsylvania’s Budget Tradition
Traditionally in Pennsylvania’s “budget season,” the governor has submitted his spending plan for the coming fiscal year, and the General Assembly has accepted it as the starting point for the…
Commentary
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Rendell’s faux budget hides real growth in spending : The Morning Call Online
Read Grant Gulibon’s commentary in today’s Allentown Morning Call.
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Are they really “Fake” Republicans?
OpinionJournal – John Fund on the Trail: “‘The Republican Party is now principally moderate, if not liberal’ on spending, Mr. Specter told reporters after a majority of GOP senators…
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CAGW Pig Book: $29 BIllion in Pork in 2006
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released their annual Pig Book yesterday, which indentifies $29 billion of pork-spending (defined as requests by members of Congress for special projects) in the…
Media
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Easiest Way to Cut Pork
Five US Senators, in a letter to President Bush, ask him to cut down on earmarked spending (i.e. pork barrel projects) simply by not spending the money. They claim…
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Say you want a revolution?
Editorial from the Chambersburg Public Opinion on how our Supreme Court judges are spending YOUR money.
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State Spending Limits: The Real “Road Less Traveled”
In his 2006-07 budget address, Gov. Ed Rendell claimed to be taking the “road less traveled.” But in unveiling his new spending plan, the governor revealed that he is speeding…
Commentary
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The Rendell Budget: Would Your Family Spend Money Like This?
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had a good tax year – that is, in government collection terms. General Fund revenues will exceed expectations this year by a projected $353 million. But…
Commentary
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The Myth of Spending Cuts for the Poor, Tax Cuts for the Rich
Fascinating analysis by the Heritage Foundation on how the Bush administration – attacked by critics for “cutting spending for the poor while cutting taxes for the rich” – has…
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Rendell’s Budget vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act
MEMORANDUM DATE: February 8, 2006TO: All Republican SenatorsCC: Capitol NewsroomFROM: Erik ArnesonSUBJECT: Rendell 06-07 Budget Proposal vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act Gov. Rendell today claimed that his…
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Rendell to propose business tax cuts
Attempting to reshape himself as a “pro-business” Democrat after 3 years of punishing job creators, Gov. Rendell gave a sneak peek into next week’s budget address. Remember, this is after…
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