Citizen Legislature

80 Ideas for Pennsylvania

80 Ideas for a Prosperous Pennsylvania

A Blueprint for Transforming the Commonwealth


Pennsylvania must undergo a rapid transformation to reverse the poor policy decisions that have eroded economic freedoms and brought the state to its present condition. To provide a roadmap for success in this critical endeavor, the Commonwealth Foundation has compiled a list of 80 policy recommendations for Gov. Corbett and state legislators to help lead a Pennsylvania comeback. Each of these recommendations links to Commonwealth Foundation research with more information on each issue.

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Ten Tips to Balance the Budget


Contrary to Gov. Rendell's rhetoric, there are a plethora of reforms and cuts that can balance the budget without taking more from the pockets of Pennsylvania taxpayers. Here are ten ideas to balance the state budget, this year and the years to come, without raising taxes:

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The Case for a Part-Time Legislature


There is a direct link between our full-time legislature and our state economy. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis shows a strong connection between legislative professionalization and higher spending per capita, a higher tax burden, and less economic freedom. Specifically, each increase in the level of professionalization results in an estimated $441 increase in spending per person, and a 0.4% increase in taxes as a percentage of income. For highly professionalized legislatures, like P

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The Case for a Citizen Legislature


The operating cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has steadily increased, while Pennsylvania's economy has been stagnant. The Keystone State's burden of state and local taxes is among the heaviest in the country, while it ranks near the bottom in economic growth and freedom. This reality can be addressed by a number of reforms that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Pennsylvania's legislature.

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Constitutional Convention

Every Generation Needs A Revolution


Pennsylvania's government is a prime exhibition of Lord Acton's well-known admonition that "power corrupts."

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Potential Effects of Reducing the Size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly


One of the most discussed legislative reforms in Harrisburg is a reduction in the size of the General Assembly. One version of this proposal, SB 890, sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R–Moon Township), would reduce the Pennsylvania General Assembly by 40% from 253 members (203 in the House, 50 in the Senate) to 151 members (121 in the House, 30 in the Senate). The general motivation for reducing the size of the legislature stems from the desire to improve both legislative efficiency and effect

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Shrinking the Legislature


Thank you, Chairman Scarnati, and members of the Senate Majority Policy Committee for the opportunity to testify before you today on the issue of whether or not Pennsylvania should reduce the size its legislature. My name is Nathan Benefield; I am a policy analyst with the Commonwealth Foundation, a public policy research organization in Harrisburg.

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Legislative Pensions: Avoid Them to Fix Them


The distance between the rulers and ruled continues to widen in Pennsylvania. For retiring and defeated members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate, the daily perks and privileges of office will disappear, but their departure will trigger the ultimate platinum parachute retirement plan.

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