State Budget
‘Shrinkflation’ ignores the true problem: deficit spending
Originally published at the Allentown Morning Call President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey deflect blame for high inflation away from the true cause: their own policies. They…
Read More: ‘Shrinkflation’ ignores the true problem: deficit spendingHigh taxes make for a slow-growing economy. And communities feel the pinch of high taxes as more and more native Pennsylvanians leave the Keystone State to prosper elsewhere. To remain economically competitive, Pennsylvania must lower state taxes and ensure businesses have the opportunity to succeed. Lower taxes will incentivize more individuals to call Pennsylvania their home, ultimately spurring our statewide economy forward.
State Budget
High Taxes Are Driving Pa.’s ‘Brain Drain’
If life is a highway, then Pennsylvanians are using it to drive to other states. This is especially true for young Pennsylvanians…
Media
Read More: High Taxes Are Driving Pa.’s ‘Brain Drain’State Budget
Federal Tax Reform: A Pennsylvania Gold Rush
After centuries of hopeless panning and prospecting, gold has finally been discovered right here in Harrisburg. The historic find weighs in…
Media
Read More: Federal Tax Reform: A Pennsylvania Gold RushCriminal Justice Reform
Up, Up, and Away: Snapshots from Wolf’s Budget
Soon lawmakers in Harrisburg will begin debating the 2019-2020 budget and what to do with excess revenue from the booming economy. Here’s your two-minute summary of the budget situation and…
Media
Read More: Up, Up, and Away: Snapshots from Wolf’s BudgetEnergy
Pa.’s Climate Action Plan: Crippling Costs for Zero Benefits
Let’s recognize how our climate is improving and bolster further innovation to reduce pollution without reducing incomes or infringing the freedoms of Pennsylvanians.
Commentary
Read More: Pa.’s Climate Action Plan: Crippling Costs for Zero BenefitsEducation
School Districts’ Cash Stash Tops $4.6 Billion
May 16, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts hold $4.6 billion in reserve funds, according the latest data available from the Pa. Department of Education. Reserves rose by $64 million in…
Press Release
Read More: School Districts’ Cash Stash Tops $4.6 BillionState Budget
Failure to Save Now Means Tax Hikes Later
Anyone who’s had to pinch a few pennies knows this to be true: Failure to save in good years means you’re not prepared for the bad ones. This is a…
Media
Read More: Failure to Save Now Means Tax Hikes LaterCriminal Justice Reform
Four Ways Lawmakers Are Setting Up Pa. For Success
Freedom and opportunity are on the move in the Keystone State. In the past week, lawmakers have taken four serious strides for the families and business owners of Pennsylvania. We’re…
Media
Read More: Four Ways Lawmakers Are Setting Up Pa. For SuccessState Budget
Tax Reforms Not Football Will Keep People in Pa.
The Steelers may not be the most recent Pennsylvania team to win a Super Bowl, but that doesn’t stop them from having the second highest out-of-state fan base. The…
Media
Read More: Tax Reforms Not Football Will Keep People in Pa.State Budget
Protecting Pa.’s Future: The Taxpayer Protection Act
Pennsylvanians currently owe more than $128 billion in state and local debt—an astounding $10,015 for every man, woman, and child. Yet, our state government is raking in more revenue from…
Media
Read More: Protecting Pa.’s Future: The Taxpayer Protection ActRegulation
House Tackles Pa.’s Heavy Regulatory Burden
Despite record low unemployment and rising wages, three-quarters of Pennsylvania counties have lost residents to other counties and states. Why? One key factor is our poor business climate. According…
Media
Read More: House Tackles Pa.’s Heavy Regulatory BurdenTaxes & Economy
Let’s Shoot for “Maximum Wages” All Around
My family knows first-hand the effects of the minimum wage—on consumers and workers alike. In January 2014, New Jersey raised its minimum wage, and workers celebrated their increased wages. However,…
Media
Read More: Let’s Shoot for “Maximum Wages” All AroundTaxes & Economy
Nuclear Subsidies: Grabbing Defeat from the Jaws of Victory
Sales pitches often downplay the cost of the product, so smart buyers have to look beyond the advertised price. For instance, when you purchase a home, you consider the sales…
Media
Read More: Nuclear Subsidies: Grabbing Defeat from the Jaws of VictoryTaxes & Economy
Which Pa. Counties are Attracting Residents?
How many people are moving into and out of Pennsylvania counties? New data on county population estimates released by the US Census Bureau last week answer that question. Much…
Media
Read More: Which Pa. Counties are Attracting Residents?Criminal Justice Reform
Moving Toward Efficient, Effective Criminal Justice
The economy is growing, but Pennsylvania just keeps sinking deeper into debt. Since 1970, we’ve tripled our overall operating budget—but our population has grown only 8 percent. Even adjusting for…
Media
Read More: Moving Toward Efficient, Effective Criminal JusticeTaxes & Economy
Guest Post: How Philly’s Brutal Tax Policies Drive Away Jobs
Businesses and people vote with their feet. As a long-time Philadelphian, I have unfortunately witnessed my neighbors taking their livelihoods to the suburbs—or beyond. Politicians cast the blame here and…
Media
Read More: Guest Post: How Philly’s Brutal Tax Policies Drive Away JobsCriminal Justice Reform
Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan Effort
Here's a letter I submitted to the Philadelphia Daily News on how Pennsylvanians of any ideology can share good intent, and work toward a common goal. I was disappointed…
Media
Read More: Fighting Poverty can be a Bipartisan EffortTaxes & Economy
Pennsylvania, Let’s Make our Taxes an Investment
What do we get for our taxes in Pennsylvania? The question is rarely asked—because the answer is just too painful. But as Tax Day approaches, it's time for taxpayers to…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania, Let’s Make our Taxes an InvestmentState Budget
It’s Time to Tackle Debt
An ostrich burying its head in the sand is a classic analogy for avoiding difficult decisions. Though this is a mischaracterization—their heads are buried to protect their eggs from predators—the metaphor…
Media
Read More: It’s Time to Tackle DebtTaxes & Economy
New Evidence Shows Work is the Path to Prosperity
Poverty and unemployment are vicious cycles. The longer you remain unemployed, the harder it is to find work—and poverty becomes more entrenched. As the Urban Institute puts it, “long-term…
Media
Read More: New Evidence Shows Work is the Path to ProsperityEducation
Economic Growth or Education OpportunityWhy not Both
In a recent Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed, Mark Gleason explains that growing the economy and expanding educational opportunity are complementary, not competing goals: When it comes to preparing our children…
Media
Read More: Economic Growth or Education OpportunityWhy not BothTaxes & Economy
First Do No Harm to Pa.’s Energy Sector
Pennsylvania’s energy industry is growing, but state government intervention through new taxes or special interest bailouts would threaten the positive trends of job growth and low energy prices. Pennsylvania ranked…
Media
Read More: First Do No Harm to Pa.’s Energy Sector