What Congress Can Learn from Georgia’s Universal Preschool Program

jessica — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:52:06 -0400

President Obama is a strong supporter of universal preschool and has pledged to provide funding increases for federal early education programs. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are working to deliver on his promise, pushing a number of bills aimed at promoting universal preschool.

Politicians who favor creating universal government-subsidized preschool have long pointed to Georgia as a model for such a program. Growing evidence suggests, however, that universal preschool isn’t paying off for residents of the Peach State, which has had taxpayer-funded prekindergarten since 1995.

Where Does YOUR Legislator Stand? | "Yes, We Can!"

matt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:34:07 -0400

Gov. Rendell is saying, "No, You Can't!" balance the budget without raising taxes on working Pennsylvanians and job creators.

But many members of the House and Senate are saying, "Yes, We Can!"

Find out who is and who isn't here. Click here for the form for legislators and ask your lawmakers to sign it.

Health Care Policy in Wonderland

jessica — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:39:34 -0400

Most political and media discussions of medical care have an air of unreality reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. There is an abundance of catch-phrases but remarkably few coherent arguments.

Let’s start at square one. Why is there alarm about American medical care? The usual reason given is because its cost is high and rising.

CF Launches "Yes, We Can!" and "We Agree!"

nate — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:48:57 -0400

Does your state legislator agree with Pres. Obama, who said, "In an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle class"?

Editor's Note: Click here to see if your legislator has signed the agreement. If not, find your legislator's contact information and email them.

Citizens to Lawmakers: Please, No More Taxes!

nate — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:16:10 -0400

M e m o r a n d u m
______________________________________________________________

Date:        June 30, 2009
To:           Gov. Rendell and Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
From:       The Undersigned
RE:          Please, No More Taxes! Petition
______________________________________________________________

The Government-Funded $10 Tomato

jessica — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:01:50 -0400

How could we end up with a $10 tomato? The prices of tomatoes, potatoes, breakfast cereal and other commodities are generally kept fairly low because consumers control what they buy. No matter what we do in our current system of shopping, we will not see a $10 tomato until Obamanomics causes hyperinflation and we begin using tomatoes as currency.

The Road Less Travelled in Pennsylvania

jessica — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:15:43 -0400

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of occasional commentaries on how Pennsylvania can turn around its economic fortune. In their first installment, “Reviving Pennsylvania,” Brouillette and Haulk described Pennsylvania’s economic situation of the last 40 years as “so-so” at best. Today, they tackle why we fare so poorly.

Tax Everyone But the Guy Behind the Tree

jessica — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:36:25 -0400

Gov. Rendell’s hypocrisy on tax policy is on full display this budget season. While Rendell is demanding higher taxes on individuals and most businesses, he is also working to preserve the Film Tax Credit for his Hollywood buddies. He argues that without this credit, filmmakers would flee Pennsylvania (even though most filmmakers don’t receive the credit, and film production has barely increased since the tax credit was enacted).

Time for Open Government is Now

jessica — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:18:21 -0400

CF applauds bipartisan effort to pass spending transparency bill

Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette issued the following statement in support of a bipartisan coalition advocating for state spending transparency:
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The “Mis-education” of Ed Rendell

jessica — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Gov. Rendell wants to increase taxes to continue the double-the-rate-of-inflation spending that has defined his tenure. In order to sell his state budget plan to an increasingly skeptical public, he has resorted to deception and hyperbole on education spending.

Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak traveled to 14 school districts on a five-day bus tour that also featured Rendell and U.S. Senator Bob Casey. The mantra was that taxes have to be raised “for the children,” some of whom were pulled out of class and used as political props.