High 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.

Health Care

Diagnosis Litigation

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • February 1, 2004

Despite a number of obstacles limiting access to affordable insurance, America’s healthcare system remains the envy of the world. But as the current medical malpractice insurance epidemic raging across the…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Hang Up on the Cell Phone Tax!

  • December 9, 2003

Pennsylvania policymakers frequently talk about building and nurturing a hightech economy in the Commonwealth—yet the latest effort to raise taxes on the wireless telephone industry reveals that many of them…

Commentary

Read More: Hang Up on the Cell Phone Tax!

Taxes & Economy

Restore the First Amendment at Shippensburg University

  • October 24, 2003

While the pursuit of diversity at our state and nation’s universities is frequently discussed by journalists and academics, its reach has not been all-encompassing. Indeed, diversity of opinion, and even…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Hunting for Taxpayers: Pennsylvania’s Big Game Sport

  • September 17, 2003

This fall, the newest Cabela’s outdoor superstore—described by a company marketing specialist as “a retail store wrapped up in a museum wrapped up in a restaurant”—opened in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Commentary

Read More: Hunting for Taxpayers: Pennsylvania’s Big Game Sport

Public Union Democracy

More “Takers” Than “Makers”

  • August 27, 2003

Another Labor Day is upon us, but the organized labor union movement in Pennsylvania has very little to celebrate this year. Union membership in the private sector continues its decades…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

The Case for a Pennsylvania Tax and Expenditure Limitation

  • June 1, 2003

Executive Summary In recent years, states across the United States with both limits on how much their governments can tax and/or spend and “super-majority” provisions that make it more difficult…

Fact Sheet

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Education

Governor Rendells Rewarding Results & Accountability

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 28, 2003

Testimony of Matthew J. Brouillette, President, Commonwealth Foundation Thank you Chairman Stairs and members of the Committee for the invitation to testify this afternoon on Governor Rendell’s “Rewarding Results and…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

The New Pennsylvania Slogan: Pay Me Now and Pay Me Later

  • May 20, 2003

Remember the television commercials promoting an automotive oil filter that featured the statement “You can pay me now, or pay me later”? Well, when it comes to business taxes, Pennsylvania…

Commentary

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Taxes & Economy

Governor Rendells Plan for a New Pennsylvania

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • May 8, 2003

Testimony of Matthew J. Brouillette, President, Commonwealth Foundation Thank you Rep. Argall and members of the House Appropriations Committee for the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon on…

Commentary

Read More: Governor Rendells Plan for a New Pennsylvania

Regulation

Pennsylvanias $2 Billion Corporate Giveaway

  • May 7, 2003

Executive Summary Current proposals under consideration in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would grant limited gambling licenses to horse racetracks across the Commonwealth in an attempt to bolster the struggling industry.

Fact Sheet

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Energy

Earth Day Reality Check: Embrace the Truth Not Environmental Hysteria

  • April 21, 2003

Forty years ago, native Pennsylvanian Rachel Carson and author of Silent Spring wrote “We stand now where two roads diverge.” Carson’s statement accurately reflects the current state of Pennsylvania’s regulatory…

Commentary

Read More: Earth Day Reality Check: Embrace the Truth Not Environmental Hysteria

Taxes & Economy

Governor Rendell Strikes Out With Economic Development Bonds

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • April 3, 2003

Governor Ed Rendell moonlights as a cable television sports commentator. So when Pennsylvanians recently saw headlines reading “Rendell Wants $2 Billion for Bonds,” many of them could be forgiven for…

Commentary

Read More: Governor Rendell Strikes Out With Economic Development Bonds

Education

What $17.4 Billion Cant Buy

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 21, 2003

There are few things in Pennsylvania that $17,438,840,000 cannot buy. Yet in signing the 2003-04 Budget, Governor Rendell told Pennsylvanians that $10,400 average per-pupil revenue is simply not enough to…

Commentary

Read More: What $17.4 Billion Cant Buy

Taxes & Economy

Sizing Up Pennsylvanias Next DEP Secretary

  • March 17, 2003

Today, the acronym DEP still stands for the “Department of Environmental Protection,” thanks to the era of relative cooperation between government and industry established by former DEP Secretaries James Seif…

Commentary

Read More: Sizing Up Pennsylvanias Next DEP Secretary