Andrew Abramczyk
Senior Fellow
Taxes & Economy
State Treasury: Soak the Rich
Last week the Pennsylvania state treasury tweeted a link to a New York Times opinion piece headlined The Rich Really Do Pay Lower Taxes Than You. The piece…
Media
Read More: State Treasury: Soak the RichRegulation
Good Returns Won’t Close the Gap
The state teachers’ pension fund, PSERS, just reported a 6.7% return over the past twelve months. That is a very good investment return. Sadly, when starting from a deep…
Media
Read More: Good Returns Won’t Close the GapTaxes & Economy
How to Increase Economic Growth
The following testimony was given at the Pennsylvania Fiscal and Economic Summit at York College on August 22. Good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you…
Testimony
Read More: How to Increase Economic GrowthState Budget
How to Improve State Budgeting Practices
The following testimony was given at the Pennsylvania Fiscal and Economic Summit at York College on August 22, 2019. Thank you for the opportunity to address you this morning on…
Testimony
Read More: How to Improve State Budgeting PracticesRegulation
The Liquor Control Board is a Jobs Program, Not a Business
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) recently announced “record sales and record net income” for the year ended June 30th. Such wording is the language of a business proudly…
Media
Read More: The Liquor Control Board is a Jobs Program, Not a BusinessRegulation
The Broken Promise of Flexible Liquor Pricing
The Liquor Control Board told the public it would use its expanded pricing powers for consumer benefit. Instead it has used them to benefit only itself.
Memo
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On Alcohol, Can We at Least Be Like Sweden?
What do Pennsylvania and Sweden have in common? Aside from Sweden’s short-lived colony on the Delaware River, very little. Except a government liquor monopoly. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board…
Media
Read More: On Alcohol, Can We at Least Be Like Sweden?State Budget
Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 1
Pennsylvania's largest budget items are growing unsustainably fast. The budget can only be brought under control only if these cost drivers are addressed.
Fact Sheet
Read More: Slicing Pennsylvania’s Finances, Part 1State Budget
A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a Mistake
In June, when the state legislature passed the budget, they included something extra: a $673 million “supplemental appropriation” to cover overspending in the previous fiscal year. In other words, the Wolf…
Media
Read More: A $673 Million Mistake…Isn’t a MistakeState Budget
Applause for ‘Mature’ Debt Reform, but More Needed
Good policy isn’t always controversial. House Bill 24, which was signed into law on July 2, caused no floor theatrics, mass tweeting, or activist howls. The bill, proposed by Rep. John Lawrence…
Media
Read More: Applause for ‘Mature’ Debt Reform, but More NeededGovernment Accountability
Budget Earmarks: Sneaky and Unconstitutional
A wise buyer should always read the fine print, but it isn’t easy. Documents like cell phone contracts and software user agreements can be hard to read, often by design. The dense language…
Media
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Let’s Stop the Gimmicks
If you took out a mortgage on your house and used it to buy groceries, would you say that you were covering your expenses with your income? How about if…
Media
Read More: Let’s Stop the GimmicksRegulation
Liquor Privatization: Time to Push Again
A Pennsylvania grocery or convenience store can be a confusing place. Out-of-state visitors are puzzled when they first encounter separate checkout lines for alcohol and non-alcoholic items. Last-minute party planners…
Media
Read More: Liquor Privatization: Time to Push AgainEducation
Helping Kids Through EITC and OSTC
Governor Tom Wolf wants to be sure that children from poor parts of the state can get a good education. In his 2018 budget address he called…
Media
Read More: Helping Kids Through EITC and OSTCEducation
Fiscal Forgetfulness
Next year the governor wants to spend $1.4 billion more than he requested for this year, according to his recent budget proposal. Separately he’ll need as much as $750 million…
Media
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