Taxes & Economy
Onorato: Rendell’s Severance Tax is Too High
In a Capitolwire interview (subscription), gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato advocated a low natural gas severance tax rate with exemptions. Onorato highlighted three states as good examples of a…
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Read More: Onorato: Rendell’s Severance Tax is Too HighTaxes & Economy
Physics Supports Fracking Safety
When the head of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Oil and Gas Management says, There has never been any evidence of fracking ever causing direct contamination…
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Read More: Physics Supports Fracking SafetyEducation
New School Choice Legislation Introduced in PA Senate
Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) introduced Senate Bill 1405, the Opportunity Scholarship Act, last month with three Republican co-sponsors. This legislation represent a huge opportunity to increase parental choice in…
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Corbett, Onorato Both Wishy-Washy on UC
Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate, continues to take flak for comments he made regarding the unemployed and Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits. After Corbett made comments that…
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Read More: Corbett, Onorato Both Wishy-Washy on UCRegulation
Pet Projects Lap Up Funds
State Legislators awarding funds to pet projects flies in the faces of Pennsylvanians who want their state to eliminate a deficit before tapping revenue for pet projects. Capitolwire (subscription)…
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Read More: Pet Projects Lap Up FundsGovernment Accountability
Gubernatorial Candidates Criticize RCAP
In a somewhat welcome surprise, both candidates for governor (Onorato and Corbett) criticized Rendell’s RCAP projects in the budget amounting to some $300 million dollars. The political legacy projects are the…
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Read More: Gubernatorial Candidates Criticize RCAPEducation
House Passes Special Ed “Reform”
Yesterday, without much press, the Pennsylvania House passed special education funding reforms that attempt to improve the effectiveness of special ed funding. Rep. Sturla’s bill would adjust the funding…
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Read More: House Passes Special Ed “Reform”State Budget
Balancing the PA Budget with Gimmicks
The temperature is in the 90s in Harrisburg this week, and most folks are wearing short sleeves. One exception is budget negotiators, who are still keeping plenty of tricks up…
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Read More: Balancing the PA Budget with GimmicksGovernment Accountability
How to Discourage Accounting Gimmicks in the Budget
The Rendell administration celebrated the end of the tax amnesty program bringing in $261 million, well above projected revenues. But Capitolwire (subscription only) reminds us the Governor was originally…
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