The Trouble with Medicaid Expansion
Gov. Wolf is boasting about Medicaid expansion—a major component of the federal government's health care overhaul. Unfortunately, the first year of full-blown Medicaid expansion will not result in better outcomes for the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians.
Our Medicaid program fails patients and taxpayers alike. Giving patients more control over their care, regularly reviewing eligibility, and making it easier for mid-level providers to serve low-income patients are a few responsible ways to give more Pennsylvanians access to high quality health care.
Don't Wait on Washington for Manufacturing Jobs
During his campaign stops in Pennsylvania, President-elect Donald Trump touted his intention to bring manufacturing jobs back to the state. That’s a worthy goal, but the truth is the Keystone State doesn’t need to wait for a president of either party to start revitalizing its manufacturing sector.
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Tax Sends Vape Shops Up in Smoke
Imagine you find a way to help others live healthier lives, and this passion leads you to invest your savings to start a related small business. Now, imagine state government taking it all away from you with the stroke of a pen.
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State Government is Killing My Business
In 2013, I opened my first business. I’d overcome many challenges and assumed some gut-wrenching risks to get there, but I did it—and I was proud. But less than three years later, my business—my dream—is on the brink of shutting down because state government is taxing it to death.
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Pennsylvanians Flee from High Taxes
New census figures paint a sobering picture. In 2015 alone, Pennsylvania lost 41,600 residents to other states in net migration. This amounts to one person every 12.5 minutes, nearly the entire population of York. Residents in states with higher state and local tax burdens are more likely to want to move than those in lower-tax states. Below are real-life stories of Pennsylvanians on the move.
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Wolf’s Wage Hike: Big Promises, Bigger Fallout
Gov. Wolf is requiring an increase in the minimum wage for state workers and contractors from $7.25 per hour to $10.15 per hour. While mandated minimum wage increases come with big promises, they carry bigger—and far less glowing—consequences.
Read More >We're #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare
The Wolf administration claims important state spending has been “cut to the bone” and says only tax hikes will prevent more cuts to education and human services. But can a government topping the nation in corporate welfare at $700 million truly be funding the bare minimum?
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Wolf's Policies Send Pennsylvanians Packing
Last year, we lost one person to another state every 12.5 minutes—a net migration of 41,600 residents, gone. That’s nearly the entire population of York, Gov. Wolf’s hometown. Ironically, Wolf used his second budget address to double down on the policies that are driving people away.
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Self-Worth, not Stuff, Should be Welfare's Goal
In the movies, values like hope, joy, and peace ultimately triumph over materialism. Unfortunately, government has yet to grasp that stuff alone doesn’t bring lasting happiness
Read More >Taxes: Isn't $17,000 Per Family of Four Enough?
Did you know Pennsylvania’s state and local tax burden is more than $17,000 per family of four? This figure may be surprising, but the feeling that families and job creators are overburdened is all too familiar.
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Protect Property Owners from Unreasonable Forfeiture
Our justice system is supposed to presume innocence until guilt is proven, but every year, Pennsylvanians are stripped of about $14 million on allegations that their property was involved in a crime. It’s time to protect the rights of the innocent and end the aggressive use of civil asset forfeiture. Civil asset forfeiture turns justice on its head, forcing property owners to prove their innocence instead of requiring the government to prove their guilt. It’s a system in desperate
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