Research

Regulation

Liquor Privatization (House Bill 11)

• October 7, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board serves as the monopolistic seller of wine and spirits in the commonwealth. Rep. Mike Turzai introduced House Bill 11 to sell off the PLCB's retail…

Fact Sheet

Regulation

13 Reasons Why Government-Sold Booze Fails

• September 20, 2011

America was built upon a free-market system where citizens were free to make purchasing decisions in a competitive market without excessive government oversight or taxation. Sadly, that's not true for…

Poll

Regulation

The Failure of Government-run Liquor Stores

• September 1, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is the exclusive wholesaler and retailer of wine and spirits in the commonwealth.  A current proposal would get the government out of the business…

Fact Sheet

Education

A Decade of Success: Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit

• August 17, 2011

The EITC creates partnerships between parents, businesses, and scholarship organizations. These partnerships allow funding to follow students, giving children and their families choices of schools that best fit their needs.

Fact Sheet

Taxes & Economy

The Great Frack Attack: The War on Natural Gas

• July 27, 2011

Much attention has been paid to the efforts of gas companies to influence the political debate through campaign contributions and lobbying efforts.  But anti-drilling activists—while claiming gas companies use their…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Pennsylvania Budget for Smarties

• June 30, 2011

The total state operating budget is $64 billion...and will be reduced for the first time in at least 40 years. While adults employed in public schools complain education is being…

Poll

State Budget

General Fund Spending in Budget Deal

• June 30, 2011

The FY 2011-12 budget deal includes $27.1 billion in General Fund spending, as part of the state's approximately $64 billion total operating budget. The deal represents a reduction of $3…

Fact Sheet

Government Accountability

Pennsylvania State Government Union Contracts

• June 21, 2011

On June 30, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August.  These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation from…

Fact Sheet

Regulation

Pennsylvania State Pension Liabilities

• June 6, 2011

PSERS and SERS project total taxpayer contributions will increase from $1.1 billion this year to more than $5.5 billion in 2016—a 421% increase in five years.

Fact Sheet

Public Union Democracy

Pennsylvania’s State Union Contracts

• June 2, 2011

On June 30, 2011, 15 of the state's 19 government union contracts expire, with two more expiring in August. These 19 public sector unions represent 62,271 state employees, whose compensation…

Fact Sheet

Regulation

Privatizing “Yellow Pages” Government

• Elizabeth Stelle
• May 26, 2011

This report surveys the scope of Yellow Pages Government in Pennsylvania, looks at examples of state and local privatization throughout the country, and outlines best practices to equip lawmakers to…

Report

Health Care

Pennsylvania Welfare Spending & Medicaid

• May 20, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed FY 2011-12 budget would represent the first time General Fund spending on the Department of Public Welfare would exceed that for the Department of Education.

Fact Sheet

Taxes & Economy

Natural Gas Tax for Smarties

• May 11, 2011

Not sure if Pennsylvania should enact a unique and extra tax on Natural gas? here are some important things you need to know!…

Poll

Energy

Natural Gas Taxes and Fees

• May 5, 2011

The Marcellus Shale is a large and difficult-to-drill geological formation roughly a mile or more underground throughout more than two-thirds of Pennsylvania that contains natural gas.

Fact Sheet

Public Union Democracy

How Labor Unions Politicize Public Schools

• May 2, 2011

Graphic showing how unions politicalize public schoools.

Poll

Pennsylvania Education Spending

• April 22, 2011

K-12 public education spending has dramatically increased in Pennsylvania.  Pennsylvania's education spending increased from $4 billion in 1980 to more than $25 billion in 2009—a 133% increase in per-student spending,…

Fact Sheet

Education

School Taxpayer Referendum & Property Tax Relief

• April 22, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall…

Fact Sheet

SB1 for Smarties

• April 15, 2011

Not sure how SB1 will affect you, the taxpayer or parent? Here are some important things you need to know!  …

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Pennsylvania State & Local Taxpayer Debt

• April 15, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall…

Fact Sheet

State Budget

Spending Increases by Department

• April 15, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall…

Fact Sheet

Pennsylvania State Budget Overview

• April 6, 2011

Gov. Tom Corbett's FY 2011-12 budget proposal includes $63.6 billion in total operating spending—$27.3 billion in General Fund spending—a reduction of $3.3 billion from FY 2010-11. This budget restores overall…

Fact Sheet