Rendell begs for more federal tax money for SCHIP

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2007

Governor Rendell calls for more federal funding for the state’s Child Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). Why? Because without it, the “Cover All Kids” plan passed last year would cost…

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Success in Philadelphia

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 25, 2007

Wall Street Journal editorial on the success of the private managers in Philadelphia schools. See my Commentary on the issue.

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School Enrollment vs. Staffing

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 23, 2007

A reader requested more info about some data in our Fat Facts of the Week on public school staff vs. enrollment. Here is the latest data from the…

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Gut-and-Replace Tranportation Bill to Be voted on Monday

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 22, 2007

Post-Gazette on the House Democrats Transportation plan (also see Philadelphia Inquirer story) – done by gutting and replacing existing legislation. The proposal to get more money from taxpayers…

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New, higher taxes and fees in Pa. transit fund plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 20, 2007

Dwight Evans and other House Democrats apparently have their own plan for funding transportation, which includes: Certificate of vehicle title, now $22.50, would increase by $6.50, to $29…

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Giving small businesses options

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 19, 2007

Reps. DePasquale (D) and Mackereth (R) introduced legislation allowing small businesses to pool resources into association plans to provide health insurance to employees. This is one of the…

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Government’s Hedge Funds

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 18, 2007

Capitolwire.com’s Pete DeCoursey (subscription) calls Governor Rendell’s corporate welfare proposals for what they are – a hedge fund. Talking about Rendell’s proposed Jonas Salk Legacy Fund and alternative energy…

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Supreme Court Affirms 1st Amendment Rights of Teachers

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 15, 2007

The US Supreme Court ruled today that states could require unions to get their members consent to use their dues for political purposes. Previously, a lower court had ruled that…

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Somewhat slimmer budget passes Senate Appropriations

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 13, 2007

Senate Appropriations Committee sent to the floor an amended budget which includes very few of the Governor’s new programs, cuts some of the corporate welfare from DCED, and promised…

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