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.
Taxes & Economy
Help low wage workers by taking away their jobs?
From the National Center for Policy Analysis: In June 2004 Santa Fe became one of three cities in the United States to pass a city-wide minimum wage applying…
Media
Read More: Help low wage workers by taking away their jobs?Government Accountability
Capital Gains Tax Reform Benefits Seniors, Pennsylvanians
The Tax Foundation released an analysis of federal capital gains and dividend taxes: The Tax Foundation – Majority of Seniors Benefit from Reduced Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Rates.
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New Poll from Quinnipiac University
Pennsylvania Voters Have Little Confidence In Tax Fix, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Anti-Incumbent Feeling Is Strong…
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Senate moves to curb eminent domain
News release from Sen. Piccola…. Senate Approves Piccola’s Landmark Eminent Domain Reform HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Whip Jeffrey Piccola (R-15) commended the Senate today for unanimously passing his “Property…
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House Dems Push for Increased Labor Costs in PA
In a seldom-used parliamentary maneuver, House Democrats may utilize House Rule 53 to discharge House Bill 257, legislation which would increase Pennsylvania’s starting wage by nearly 40% — from $5.15…
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Rendell to veto tax cuts
Governor Rendell promises to veto the tax cuts just passed by the General Assembly. His reason: “lawmakers did not pair the legislation with a corresponding spending cut.” Governor Rendell,…
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Minimum Wage: The Faux Pay Raise
This Philadelphia Daily News editorial represents the general economic ignorance among people who think government can artificially increase the cost of labor without any negatives consequences. The reality is…
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General Assembly Passes Tax Cuts, Sends to Gov. Rendell for Signature
Two Senate news releases (Piccola and Thompson)on the Senate’s concurrence of a PIT and CNI tax rate reduction… Piccola Calls on Governor to Sign Tax Cuts into Law HARRISBURG…
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Lower Taxes = Economic Growth
An analyis of population data and taxes finds that states with low taxes attract residents fleeing states with high taxes: The Heartland Institute – Taxes Fuel Historic American Migration…
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Coalition (for Higher Taxes and Unlimited Government Spending) hopes to stop cap on state spending
The Harrisburg Patriot-News highlights the effort to limit the increases in state government spending. While the beneficiaries of higher government spending want to keep their unlimited access to taxpayers’…
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Governor Rendell: “I’m very optimistic that before Christmas we will have a property tax bill on my desk that I can sign”
Although Governor Rendell thinks the General Assembly will come up with a school property tax shift before December 25, Pennsylvanians should not be expecting much from the Harrisburg Santa…
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We all lose when Government tries to pick winners
This Times Leader story highlights how government should not be in the “economic development” business. The best thing government could do for our economy is GET OUT OF THE…
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Pennsylvania can break new ground in protecting property owners from abusive land-takings
Legislation to curb the abuse of eminent domain will likely be moving through the General Assembly this week. Read this commentary from the Institute for Justice. This libertarian public…
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Rendell will veto business tax break
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review … “Rendell emphatically said he would veto any legislation that would lower business taxes but not provide substitute funds. ‘I would have to veto…
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They’re Taking Away Your Property for What?
An interesting eminent domain article from the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal.
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From Hopeless to Hopeful
On November 16, the legislators handed Gov. Rendell a bill to repeal the General Assembly’s July 7 pay and pension grab. The Governor promptly signed the measure without fanfare. Only…
Commentary
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Private Property & Liberty
Good afternoon. My name is Matt Brouillette, and I am president & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, a public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg. We develop and…
Commentary
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President’s Address: Advancing Ideas Whose Time Have Come
"As we celebrate these first recipients of our Speaker Franklin Awards, I’m reminded of the great British Statesman Edmund Burke who once said: “All that is necessary for the triumph…
Commentary
Read More: President’s Address: Advancing Ideas Whose Time Have ComeState Budget
Pennsylvania’s Spending Limitation Bills
Pennsylvania is Exhibit #1 proving the axiom: “You can have government growth, or you can have economic growth, but you can’t have both!” For years, Pennsylvania public policy has increased…
Fact Sheet
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Protect Private Property from Eminent Domain Abuse
Thank you for the opportunity to address the issue of Eminent Domain. My name is Matt Brouillette, and I am president & CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, a research and…
Commentary
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Minimum Wage: Facts
Proponents of artificial increases in the government-mandated minimum wage argue, among other things, that raising the hourly minimum wage will help to lift families with children out of poverty and…
Fact Sheet
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